The New York TimesThe New York Times

Balloon incident reveals more than spying as competition with China intensifies

By David E. Sanger

05 Feb 2023 · 6 min read

Editor's Note

Does the balloon incident highlight China's increasing boldness in espionage and the U.S.'s lack of a strategy to address it? An author for the New York Times delivers an insightful news analysis.

It may be months before U.S. intelligence agencies can compare the audacious flight of a Chinese surveillance balloon across the country to other intrusions on America’s national security systems, to determine how it ranks.

After all, there is plenty of competition.

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