(News Analysis
The Chinese spy balloon that navigated through U.S. and Canadian airspace for a week before being shot down may have been conducting reconnaissance for a potential conflict with the United States, though experts believe its mission is only just beginning to be understood.
When the spy balloon first entered U.S. airspace over Alaska’s Aleutian Islands on Jan. 28, American officials believed it would keep traveling on a northern trajectory over sparsely populated areas.
Two days later, however, the balloon slowed down over Canada and abruptly changed course, and headed south on a new trajectory that would take it over much of the continental United States….