The Chinese balloon crisis in the US is rekindling Cold

The Chinese balloon crisis in the US is rekindling Cold War fears and prompting Biden’s hardening

In just over a week, four craft entered US airspace, sparking a diplomatic crisis with China.

1 of 1 US ships and divers still search for wreckage of crashed balloon off coast of South Carolina — Photo: GETTY IMAGES US ships and divers still search for wreckage of crashed balloon off coast of South Carolina — Photo : GETTY IMAGES

  • The FBI is investigating remains of a Chinese balloon that flew over the US

In an interview with Natuza Nery, researcher at the Center for International and Strategic Studies in Washington, Thiago de Aragão, explains how diplomatic relations between the two countries can take on new contours. For Aragon, the escalation of tensions is reviving old American fears that should end up requiring a tougher stance from President Joe Biden — especially to avoid being compared to Donald Trump.

“For most Americans, Russia was never seen as an ally, as a friend not even after the end of the Cold War in the 1990s,” he explains. “That is why China is now emerging as a great new enemy. All those old fears in the American collective subconscious are coming back as they enter a new Cold War against China. […] Biden has to be tough enough not to be labeled a softie.”

VIDEO: See where unidentified flying objects were shot down

See where unidentified flying objects were shot down