{"id":1834300,"date":"2023-02-03T14:34:54","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T19:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1834300"},"modified":"2023-02-03T14:41:22","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T19:41:22","slug":"what-we-know-about-the-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-flying-over-united-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-we-know-about-the-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-flying-over-united-states\/","title":{"rendered":"What We Know About The Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon Flying Over United States"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhat-we-know-about-the-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-flying-over-united-states%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1834300&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47-->\n<p>The United States is following a Chinese spy balloon, high in the sky, over the lower 48 States.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s what we know so far.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is it there?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Pentagon was first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/chinese-spy-balloon-hovering-over-united-states-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recognized the suspected reconnaissance balloon<\/a> on Thursday as it was spotted over Billings, Montana, after it flew over Alaska\u2019s Aleutian Islands and through Canada, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/national-security\/suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-found-northern-us-rcna68879\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">According to NBC News<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Pentagon stated that the balloon was located above the central continent United States and moving eastward. It could remain there for several more days. Although its exact location was not known as of Friday afternoon, there were indications that it might be in northeast Kansas or Missouri.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Senator <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RogerMarshallMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@RogerMarshallMD<\/a> According to reports, the Chinese spy balloon is currently over northeast Kansas at 12:15 p.m.https:\/\/t.co\/KQLuPd76xu&#8221;>https:\/\/t.co\/KQLuPd76xu<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/KAKEnews?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#KAKEnews<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/03UgpHg14M\">pic.twitter.com\/03UgpHg14M<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 KAKE News (@KAKEnews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KAKEnews\/status\/1621575734249521155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 3, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Many people are interested in a Chinese spy balloon. Recent sightings of the spy balloon north of Kansas City. A forward trajectory based upon atmospheric steering currents would take it to St. Louis tonight and North Carolina Saturday. Follow Wash Post live updates: a>=&#8221;https:\/\/t.co\/mHZpCHHQes&#8221;>https:\/\/t.co\/mHZpCHHQes<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/JKvL78Ve0w\">pic.twitter.com\/JKvL78Ve0w<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/capitalweather\/status\/1621578390149922817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 3, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">There have been several reports from northwest MO about a large balloon visible at the horizon. It can be seen from Pleasant Hill, MO and the KC Metro. It is not an NWS weather balloon, as we have confirmed. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/CKQWOw7God\">pic.twitter.com\/CKQWOw7God<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NWSKansasCity\/status\/1621562137717141505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 3, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>What is it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>China\u2019s government claimed on Friday the balloon is a \u201ccivilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological purposes.\u201d Beijing claimed that the balloon was essentially blown off course.<\/p>\n<p>The Pentagon rejected this explanation on Friday,\u00a0describing the balloon as being a \u201csurveillance balloon\u201d That \u201cviolated U.S. airspace and international law,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/live-news\/suspected-chinese-balloon-us\/h_5754e4ddc7a5bd188d2053f432920320\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">per CNN<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is the balloon a danger?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brig. Brig. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defense.gov\/News\/Releases\/Release\/Article\/3287173\/dod-statement-on-high-altitude-surveillance-balloon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Currently, it does not<\/a> \u201cpresent a military or physical threat to people on the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said that the balloon was inflated. \u201ctraveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the balloon looking for?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Multiple reports indicate that the spy balloon was seen near a Montana base housing 150 Minuteman III intercontinental missiles.<\/p>\n<p>A senior defense official <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/blinken-trip-to-china-postponed-after-spy-balloon-spotted-over-u-s-11675437406\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Wall Street Journal<\/a> The U.S. government took steps to protect sensitive sites and stressed that such a balloon was believed to provide China with a valuable resource. \u201climited additive value\u201d It can gather more information than what satellites could.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What does a balloon look like?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>KSVI-TV Montana&#8217;s news station <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yourbigsky.com\/billings-beat\/picture-of-what-appears-to-be-a-top-secret-satellite-balloon-taken-from-ground-in-mt-faa-not-making-statement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Published a photograph<\/a> Megan Nielsel captured the image from the ground. It shows what appears as a device attached a white ballon.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">PHOTO \ud83d\udea8 The giant Chinese spy balloon over Montana \u2013 KSVI-TV <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Kkob5ECTuU\">pic.twitter.com\/Kkob5ECTuU<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheInsiderPaper\/status\/1621289531419795456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 2, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Are you able to control the balloon?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, stated that the balloon is currently at approximately 60,000 feet in the sky and is being monitored. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-is-maneuverable-has-changed-direction-at-60000-feet-pentagon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cmaneuverable.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Although he did not give any further details about how it could be controlled he said that the U.S. communicates with China.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why not just shoot it down?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>According to a senior defense official, the U.S. determined that shooting down the balloon could pose a danger to people on the ground.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPresident Biden was briefed and asked for military options. Secretary [Lloyd] Austin convened senior DOD leadership yesterday, even as he was on the road in the Philippines,\u201d During a briefing held Thursday, the official stated: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/donald-trump-shoot-down-balloon-chinese-spy-orb-1778817\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Newsweek<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was the strong recommendation by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Milley, and the commander of NORTHCOM, General VanHerck, not to take kinetic action due to the risk to safety and security of people on the ground from the possible debris field,\u201d The official added.<\/p>\n<p>Ryder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/live-news\/suspected-chinese-balloon-us\/h_c97d212b03202241e7ee28fc83830ef4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">According to reporters, Friday<\/a>: \u201cIn terms of the size, I\u2019m not able to get into the specifics other than to say that it is big enough that, again, in reviewing our approach, we do recognize that any potential debris field would be significant and potentially cause civilian injuries or deaths, or significant property damage.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There are still those who demand that the balloon be taken down. \u201cI\u2019d pull the trigger if they let me,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RyanZinke\/status\/1621537361262792704\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tweeted Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you think there are more?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Canada\u2019s military said it is monitoring a \u201cpotential second incident,\u201d and the country\u2019s intelligence agencies are in contact with their U.S. counterparts, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestar.com\/news\/canada\/2023\/02\/03\/canadas-military-tracking-surveillance-balloon-possible-twin-to-one-over-us.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Toronto Star<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Ryder, a Pentagon official, stated to reporters Friday that the U.S. was <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DanLamothe\/status\/1621559545834213377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tracking one balloon<\/a> Referred questions regarding a second balloon to Canada.<\/p>\n<p>Broadly speaking: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defense.gov\/News\/Releases\/Release\/Article\/3287173\/dod-statement-on-high-altitude-surveillance-balloon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Pentagon<\/a>: \u201cInstances of this kind of balloon activity have been observed previously over the past several years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are the consequences of this balloon controversy?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Antony Blinken is Secretary of State <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/secretary-of-state-blinken-will-postpone-china-trip-over-spy-balloon-incident\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Postponement of a trip planned<\/a> This weekend, go to China<\/p>\n<p>Some lawmakers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/i-am-alarmed-montana-gop-sen-steve-daines-wants-briefing-from-secdef-about-chinese-spy-balloon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">including Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT)<\/a> And <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpeakerMcCarthy\/status\/1621311735914266626\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)<\/a>, demanded briefings by the Biden administration.<\/p>\n<p>The United Nations asked the U.S. to call on China and China. \u201cdo whatever they can to lower tensions,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/live-news\/suspected-chinese-balloon-us\/h_5c2f8151342068431cbbbba39e903f0c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CNN<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>This is an evolving news story. Check back<\/p>\n<p><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The United States is tracking a high-flying, suspected Chinese spy balloon over the lower 48 states. Here is what we know so far: Where is it? The Pentagon first acknowledged the suspected reconnaissance balloon on Thursday as it was spotted over Billings, Montana, after it flew over Alaska\u2019s Aleutian Islands and through Canada, according to &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1588,"featured_media":1834303,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[541],"tags":[17453,4117,6328,6893,6516,5087],"class_list":["post-1834300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-daily-wire","tag-balloon","tag-chinese","tag-flying","tag-spy","tag-suspected","tag-united"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1834300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1588"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1834300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1834300\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1834303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1834300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1834300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1834300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}