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When a Chinese surveillance balloon floated over the continental US, it became the biggest story in the world. It could have also been a much-needed chance at direct diplomacy between the world most powerful nation and its greatest rival, writes Robert Rust of the Union of Concerned Scientists a chance the Biden administration wasted. When Joe Biden took office in 2021, many analysts and watchers in both China and the United States expected at least a slight relaxation of the previous administration’s tough line on China. Halfway into Biden’s first term, such a relaxation has not been forthcoming, and tension is arguably higher than ever in the bilateral relationship. Recently, the administration has fumbled the opportunity to diffuse this tension. It could have more firmly refuted claims by an Air Force general that the United States and China would be at war within two years, and it could have followed its downing of a Chinese “spy balloon” by pressing ahead with the Secret
Intelligence officials said it was possible the balloon was blown off course, but by the time it came over the continental U.S., it was being controlled by China.
The giant spy balloon, taller than the Statue of Liberty, was shot down in U.S. airspace in early February. Three other objects were shot down in the ensuing days.
The lead ship in the Navy's newest class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers is embarking on a short deployment in the Atlantic five years after it was commissioned.