The Latest Breaking News from Pentagon

U.S. working to recover suspected Chinese spy balloon

The United States is working to recover a suspected Chinese spy balloon that was shot down off the coast of South Carolina, according to a statement released by the Pentagon on Sunday.

Reuters · Feb 5, 2023

White House rejects Republican fire over wait to down Chinese spy balloon

Pete Buttigieg says president ‘considered safety of American people’ but Marco Rubio criticizes eight-day wait

The Guardian - US · Feb 5, 2023

F-22 makes first air-to-air strike in takedown of Chinese balloon

WASHINGTON — The downing of China’s alleged spy balloon marked the first time the F-22 Raptor fighter jet brought down an airborne target since it debuted in combat in Syria and Iraq almost a decade ago, defense analysts said.

Tribune News Service · Feb 5, 2023

What are ‘spy balloons’ and why are they used?

Surveillance balloons have a long history in espionage, and continue to provide some spying advantages, experts say.

Al Jazeera · Feb 5, 2023

The Observer view on the real threat behind China’s spy balloon

Washington and Beijing need to resume talks quickly before the hawks bring the world to war

The Guardian - UK · Feb 5, 2023

US downing of Chinese spy balloon ends chapter in diplomatic crisis

WASHINGTON: The United States shot down a Chinese spy balloon Saturday that had spent the past week traversing the country, an explosive end to a drama that put a diplomatic crisis between the world’s two great powers onto television screens in real time.

Bangkok Post · Feb 5, 2023

China threatens ‘further actions’ after US shoots down spy balloon

Earlier China said the balloon was a weather research ‘airship’ that had been blown off course

The Independent UK · Feb 5, 2023

US downs Chinese balloon, prompting protests from Beijing

The U.S. shot down an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon off the South Carolina coast on Saturday, capping days of waiting as it traversed the country and injected new tension into relations with China.

Tribune News Service · Feb 5, 2023

Now the Chinese ‘spy balloon’ is down, the question is: what was it for?

Was Beijing trying to sabotage talks with the US, monitor the speed of its military response, or just test Joe Biden’s mettle?

The Guardian - US · Feb 5, 2023

House GOP eyes China spy balloon investigations

"I will be demanding answers," said Rep. Michael McCaul.

Axios · Feb 4, 2023