So now we just let countries spy on us with balloons.

Up, Up, and Away

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2hI3-KvYZY

Very well played link !

The Pentagon has advised against shooting it down over land because of the potential for damage on the ground. Wait until it's over the water...or better yet, shoot it down over Floriduh or Texass.

Montana has the lowest population per acre. It would make perfect sense to blow it out of the sky there, due to the likelihood that it wouldn't fall on anyone.

But we don't know for sure what's in the balloon. It could be a nuclear weapon for all we know. Why take that chance?

Nuclear weapons are very expensive, even to the Chinese Government. They are also very very heavy - unless they are a tactical nuclear device, which has a small explosion radius compared to traditional nuclear arms.

The Chinese Government isn't going to just float one of them across the sea and hope that it hits a good target, as it could easily get taken by unexpected weather and potentially drop in the Pacific.

If they WERE to not care about the costs of a tactical nuclear device and float one anyway - blowing it up over unpopulated Montana is still the best option.Q

Also, if you just shoot a couple of holes in it, it won't come down so quick and would come down in a slowed decent... It's a balloon.