WASHINGTON - Under almost 24/7 coverage that veered towards parody last week, the United States was transfixed by news about a Chinese "spy" balloon drifting over and across the country until - as seen on live television - it was brought down off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday by a short-range Sidewinder missile fired from a top-of-the-line F-22 fighter jet.
Spectacle aside, the event raised many questions not just about US-China relations, but also about America's own internal dynamics, leading to the thorniest question of all: Can the two nations avoid drifting towards war? The Pentagon said the balloon posed "no risk to commercial aviation, military assets or people on the ground".
But it was hyped as dangerous anyway not by the Biden administration but by Congress, with the message amplified by cable news.
"It is a threat right here at home. It is a threat to American sovereignty, and it is a threat to the Midwest - in places like those that I live in," said Wisconsin Republican congressman Mike Gallagher, chairman of the newly formed House China Select Committee.
Several other lawmakers chimed in. On Sunday - a day after the balloon was shot down - Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio said on CNN's State Of The Union: "They (the Chinese) calculated this carefully with a message embedded in it. And I think that's the part we can't forget here. It's not just the balloon. It's the message to try to send the world that... we can do whatever we want, and America can't stop us."
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin February 08, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin February 08, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Religion trumps caste in Modi's pan-Hindu unity appeal
Voters born at the bottom of the Hindu faith's rigid caste system will determine whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns to power in June.
S'pore retailers feel the pinch as more people are spending overseas on cheaper buys
A stronger Singdollar, pricier goods and services, and the resumption of travel plans post-pandemic have contributed to a growing number of locals preferring to spend more overseas.
The little town that could: How eco-activists said 'no' to smelting plant in San Juan
New book recounts how ordinary folk banded together to protect their town in 1977.
Those who scoffed at deepening Sino-Russian ties will pay the price
The 'no limits' partnership has been beneficial to Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
Decline in Singapore exports slows with 9.3% drop in April
Analysts say electronics rebound lends hope shipments will improve in latter half of 2024
Reddit forges pact with OpenAI to bring content to ChatGPT
Reddit has forged a partnership with OpenAI that will bring its content to the chatbot ChatGPT and other products, while also helping the social media firm add new artificial intelligence (AI) features to its forums.
Investors like Temasek might get money back from FTX
After assets are sold, customers and other creditors to be paid first before investors
Malaysia's GDP growth surprises as recovery accelerates
Malaysia's economy expanded faster than initially estimated in the first quarter, driven by private spending and a rebound in exports.
Sluggish retail sales as Beijing reports uneven recovery
BEIJING China's retail sales grew at the slowest pace since 2022 while industrial production accelerated, highlighting the unbalanced recovery of the world's second-largest economy.
Man in police chase charged with dangerous driving, possession of weapon
A 22-year-old man who was arrested earlier this week after allegedly attempting to flee from the police and having a samurai sword in his car, was charged in a district court on May 17.
