The Great Balloon War of 2023

 

For $850 billion, we have a military that has shot down four Chinese (probably) balloons that have penetrated North American airspace before finally being dealt with in a most severe manner. These balloons, costing a few thousand dollars, have attracted the attention of the entire NORAD network, million dollar planes, and half million dollar missiles.

China is probing US defenses and reactions.

If it had not been for a civilian in Montana, we would have not known anything about it to begin with.  After it drifted across the entire country, a F-22 downed if off the South Carolina coast.  Now, three others have been shot down over Alaska, the Yukon, and the Great Lakes. 

How are these low-tech instruments getting so far into US airspace?

Probably a distraction from any number of things, such as Washington's obsession with guarding Ukraine's border while our southern border is undefended. 

Minimal investment for maximum chaos.

Asymmetrical warfare and misdirection at its finest.

Something is brewing somewhere else...