If it is a surveillance balloon from the CCP, we should shoot it down as Francis Gary Powers experienced as well as the 1000’s of flights over the USSR where anti-aircraft missiles were frequently launched. So there is precedent.
However, counterintelligence operations and technology can probably gather as much information of the balloon by letting it continue to fly rather than shooting it down. I believe this is what we did when CCP subs trailed our aircraft carriers collecting intelligence. We knew they were there.
The only other reason I see for it continuing to fly is if we shoot it down, China will accuse us of an act of war, which the media will then blame republicans for taking an aggressive stance. I so hate the Biden administration.
There is no possible excuse for not shooting this balloon down.
All good points. I wonder if there’s a way to “snag” it out of the sky...sort of like the old Skyhook method of snatching someone off the ground with an airplane flying overhead.
That's not a good reason. Being afraid that China will accuse us of something false, and appeasing China because of it will only lead to further transgressions.