Beware: we could be entering a dangerous new era of US-China relations | Christopher S Chivvis

Incidents like the Chinese spying balloon could too easily spiral out of control in the future, ending in disaster

Much uncertainty still surrounds China's balloon spying program and the other mysterious objects that have now been identified over North American airspace. One thing seems certain, however: incidents like these could too easily spiral out of control in the future, ending in disaster. Unless something is done, dangerous waters lie ahead. Unfortunately, both sides are reluctant to do what's needed.

Let's make no bones about it. It would be better if China didn't spy on the United States. Any US leader would be hard pressed not to shoot down a Chinese object that the American public has seen flying over US sovereign airspace - as President Biden decided to do on 4 February. But the reality is that events like this will be more and more likely in the next decade as the United States and China bump up against each other globally. The risk of clashes in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea have preoccupied military experts for years, but the balloon incident shows they could happen almost anywhere.