Nothing about the "Chinese spy balloon" story makes sense—but that hasn't stopped U.S. officials from using it to stoke anti-China sentiment and cancel an attempt to ease diplomatic relations.
The basics: A Chinese balloon started drifting into U.S. territory about 10 days ago. It first entered Alaskan airspace, then drifted over Canada, then made its way back into U.S. airspace, appearing over Montana on February 1. By Saturday, when U.S. forces shot down the balloon, it was floating over the shores of South Carolina.
