Episode
Why the U.S. Keeps Shooting Objects Out of the Sky
22:37
Published: Tue Feb 14 2023
Description
Last week, after the Air Force shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon, examination of its wreckage revealed that it could not only take images, but also scoop up radio and cellphone communications. The balloon, the U.S. military said, was part of a bigger global program by China to collect information about military operations.Since then the U.S. has shot down three other objects from the skies over North America — apparently without knowing much about them.Guest: Julian E. Barnes, a national security reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: The U.S. and Canada are investigating three unidentified flying objects shot down over North America in recent days. Militaries have adjusted radars to try to spot more incursions.A timeline of the unidentified flying objects that have been brought down this month.Here is what we know about the objects and the Chinese spy balloon.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Chapters
This transcript discusses Chinese surveillance balloons that have trespassed into the US three times in the past few years, with the latest being taken down by the Air Force.
00:00 - 04:09 (04:08)
Summary
This transcript discusses Chinese surveillance balloons that have trespassed into the US three times in the past few years, with the latest being taken down by the Air Force. The Pentagon and FBI retrieved and studied parts of the downed balloon.
EpisodeWhy the U.S. Keeps Shooting Objects Out of the Sky
PodcastThe Daily
Unidentified objects are being detected in U.S. airspace, leading to speculation about their origins and intentions, including theories that they may be surveillance balloons from China or another country.
04:09 - 11:54 (07:45)
Summary
Unidentified objects are being detected in U.S. airspace, leading to speculation about their origins and intentions, including theories that they may be surveillance balloons from China or another country.
EpisodeWhy the U.S. Keeps Shooting Objects Out of the Sky
PodcastThe Daily
The US shooting down unidentified aerial objects could lead to rival nations doing the same with American devices, creating potential danger.
11:54 - 19:37 (07:42)
Summary
The US shooting down unidentified aerial objects could lead to rival nations doing the same with American devices, creating potential danger. It also raises concerns about the shooting down of objects that the military is unaware of.
EpisodeWhy the U.S. Keeps Shooting Objects Out of the Sky
PodcastThe Daily
A gunman killed three and injured five people in a mass shooting at a campus of Michigan State University; Congressman George Santos of New York had poorly documented campaign spending, leaving experts concerned about the absence of finance controls; the US military has shot down three objects lacking communications signals or the ability to maneuver themselves.
19:37 - 22:08 (02:31)
Summary
A gunman killed three and injured five people in a mass shooting at a campus of Michigan State University; Congressman George Santos of New York had poorly documented campaign spending, leaving experts concerned about the absence of finance controls; the US military has shot down three objects lacking communications signals or the ability to maneuver themselves.