what's the point of capability if you're never going to use it. isn't this exactly what non-explosive weapons are made for?

i say we launch a balloon that parks itself below theirs blocking the view. no capabilities given up then

We have a “consequences taxonomy” we only show our hand depending on level of threat

Some bean counters decided this was low threat. And, more likely, China told us it was coming, and probably to just count silos like we’ve been doing back and forth since the 70s

If it was spooky, it wouldn’t be bright white…

> probably to just count silos like we’ve been doing back and forth since the 70s

Pretty sure they've got satellites that can do that.

> what's the point of capability if you're never going to use it.

The point is to use them on a real danger. Accurate or not, the Pentagon clearly doesn’t see this ballon as a threat in any capacity. Why would they do anything other than keep an eye on it?