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TintedApostle t1_j823hen wrote

Reply to comment by jayrocksd in US officials disclosed new details about the balloon's capabilities. Here's what we know | CNN Politics by taci7c0ff33

It is in that the capability of the U2 is known. The intent of a balloon and its payload is not.

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jayrocksd t1_j825jld wrote

The capability of the Chinese balloon and the U-2 aren't well known. The intent of flying a U-2 over a foreign country is pretty obvious. The U-2 observing the Chinese balloon was able to determine the balloon was doing intelligence gathering as well, so the intent is also obvious.

It is also an incontrovertible fact that doing either in foreign airspace without permission is a violation of international law assuming the payload of the balloon weighs more than 5kg (approximately 40 bananas.)

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TintedApostle t1_j826iz7 wrote

Actually the open skies treaty said otherwise until Trump withdrew from it. China was never party to the treaty.

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jayrocksd t1_j82adry wrote

Open Skies required notification, certification and pre flight inspection.

Edit: and China was never a signatory.

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TintedApostle t1_j82ahes wrote

and so satellites were positioned to do the covert work.

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