Pentagon Official Says US in Contact With China Over ‘Balloon’

Mon Feb 13 2023
author image
Muhammd Mudassar Siddique
Pentagon Official Says US in Contact With China Over 'Balloon'
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

Monitoring Desk

WASHINGTON: A top US official said that the US has communicated with China on the alleged Chinese balloon shot down on Feb. 4.

US Assistant Secretary of Defense Melissa Dalton told media persons that contacts have been made with “PRC on balloon,” referring to the China.

According to AFP, the US Defense Secretary asked to talk with his Chinese counterparts shortly following US shot down the balloon on February 4.

US-China ties

Beijing on Thursday rejected the offer of a call with the US defense Secretary due to Washington’s “irresponsible” act to shoot down the balloon.

China’s defense ministry said in a statement that this irresponsible approach by Washington did not create an atmosphere for talks between the two sides.

Read Also: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Visit China Tomorrow

Melissa Dalton was speaking following US fighter jets shoot downed another suspicious object on Sunday. However, Dalton gave no provide details about contacts with China.

Earlier, British media reported that the US has downed another object over Lake Huron near the Canadian border. Michigan Congresswoman said that the flying object was downed by the US Air Force and National Guard.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp
military court, Congo, DR Congo, Americans, attempted coup, Briton, Belgian, Canadian,

Three Americans Among 37 Sentenced to Death in DR Congo Failed Coup Trail
Spain, Muslim, European countries, Gaza war, international community, two-state solution, Israeli-Palestinian War, war in Gaza, Gaza Strip,

European, Muslim Countries Meet in Spain to Discuss Gaza War, Two-State Solution
British government, Russia, diplomats, Moscow, spies, Russia's security, Russian defense attache, NATO conflict,

UK Slams Russian Spy Claims as ‘Baseless’ Retaliation

Latest

Aerolineas Argentinas, Milei, United States, Europe, Association of Aeronautical Personnel, Strike,

Strike at Argentina’s Airline Affects 30,000 Passengers
UK, largest-ever probe, jail sentences, crimes, Rotherham,

Seven Men Jailed for Decades-Old UK Child Abuse Case
military court, Congo, DR Congo, Americans, attempted coup, Briton, Belgian, Canadian,

Three Americans Among 37 Sentenced to Death in DR Congo Failed Coup Trail
Islamic Council, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Islam, Muslims, Kingdom,

Islamic Council of Ethiopia Praises Saudi Arabia’s Contributions to Islam
Ukraine, war, Russian forces, Donbas, US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, Russia, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy,

Zelensky to Present “Victory Plan” to Biden for Ending War with Russia

Videos

Harris, Gender Gap, Growing, Women, Propel, Victory

Gender Gap in US Elections: Will Women Boost Harris to Victory?
Harris

Early Polls Show Harris won Presidential Debate
A production line in a warehouse in western Afghanistan churns out 24 energy drinks every second, feeding a thirst for the tonic used to mask life's hardships and lift wilting spirits. The Taliban government has purged many signs of Western influence but a stimulant drink craze that arrived with US soldiers remains, and has even sprouted a thriving domestic industry.

Energy Drink Craze Peps and Pacifies Weary Afghans

Op-Ed

Indian, Film, Goat Life, Gulf States, Bharatiya Janata Party, Hindu, Hindutva, Bollywood,

Indian Film “Goat Life” Sparks Controversy and Backlash in Gulf States
Balochistan

Rampant Terrorism in Balochistan and Punjab
Afghanistan continues to pose multiple security threats to neighborly countries. Afghan interim government commonly known as the Taliban regime recently celebrated the third anniversary of their takeover of Kabul. Taliban’s speedy takeover and the quick meltdown of the Ashraf Ghani regime both are remembered as meaningful surprising events in the checkered history of Afghanistan. The subsequent withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan triggered numerous intriguing questions. The apparent hasty withdrawal of American forces though celebrated as a victory by the Taliban however it could not bring any stability to Afghanistan. Though withdrawal took place under Joe Biden’s watch, however, the grounds were prepared by the Trump administration prior to leaving the white house consequent to election defeat. The arrival of the Taliban in Kabul as an uncontested force on 15th Aug 2021 made the whole American campaign a shadowy affair stretched over almost two decades. Critiques are justified in questioning the outcome of such a lengthy military and political campaign orchestrated by the USA in Afghanistan. No satisfactory response has ever surfaced from the State Department and Pentagon sides about the quick meltdown of the Afghan National Army. It is obvious that the surprisingly expeditious winding up of the Ashraf Ghani regime further exposed the weaknesses of the whole American prescription applied to heal Afghanistan. The multiple damaging effects of the ill-conceived strategy on the war-torn society of Afghanistan are not too difficult to understand. Present-day Afghanistan is more polarized and unsettled under the Taliban’s unelected regime. The demolition of the political façade in August 2021 was not a sudden development but rather a much-expected outcome of the dubious Doha agreement. Analysts having fair insight into the Afghan dynamics were apprehensive about the American deal with the Taliban while Ashraf Ghani was very much present in the office of President. Simply put, the American direct agreement with the Taliban in Doha was actually the beginning of the end of Ashraf Ghani's regime. Bitterness in bilateral ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been constantly growing over the issue of cross-border terrorism. Against all the positive expectations of Islamabad, the interim Afghan government has not responded against the Khawarij which comprises the banned TTP and its numerous splinter groups. Ironically, the Taliban regime is providing all sorts of support to those Khawarij terrorists who are involved in attacks on Pakistani security forces, unarmed civilians and military installations. Facts and figures clearly reflect the alarming rise in cross-border terrorist attacks inside Pakistan after the arrival of the Taliban on Kabul’s throne. Pakistan has rightly questioned the liberty of action granted to the Khawarij terrorists on Afghan soil by the interim Taliban setup. These genuine security concerns have been conveyed to the Taliban regime through all available channels. Repeated engagements from the Pakistan side via diplomatic, political, religious and media channels, nothing positive could not gain any breakthrough in finishing the bloody cycle of terrorism. Growing security concerns gradually taking the shape of anger in Pakistan because huge losses to men and materials are crossing the limits of patience. Unwise rulers of Kabul are acting against the interests of a neighbor like Pakistan who always stood alongside Afghan brethren in hours of need. It seems that sympathizers of Khawarij (banned TTP) are now dominating the interim Afghan government and saner elements have lost their say in the decision-making process. Multiple reports released by the UN, EU and international watchdogs have revealed undeniable information about the active presence of global terrorist groups in Afghanistan. The Taliban regime is in denial mode and seems in a mood to continue with the present harmful policies. The loud arrogance of Taliban officials on the highly objectionable stance about cross-border terrorism is endangering regional peace. In a recent statement, the military chief of the interim Afghan government Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat has denied any presence of banned TTP elements in Afghanistan. This absurd denial is credible evidence of the Taliban’s contradicting stance about the presence of Khawarij (Banned TTP) on Afghan soil. How Qari Fasihullah Fitrat can ask for evidence of Khawarij’s existence while Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzadah urged Afghans through a fatwa to refrain from joining the terrorism spree of banned TTP against Pakistan last year. This unambiguous religious decree released by none other than the supreme Taliban leader is itself strong evidence of Khawarij’s anti-Pakistan designs. It is also evident that the top leadership of the Taliban especially supreme leader Habibullah Akhudzada comprehends the undesired complications linked to the cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil. Bleak consequences of flawed terrorism-specific policies are widely hurting Afghanistan’s repute and relations with neighborly countries. Hollowness of Taliban’s denial can be measured from the multiple killings of Khawarij (TTP) wanted commanders on Afghanistan’s soil. A recent report released by a sub-committee of the UN Security Council has openly mentioned the banned TTP as the biggest terrorist group operating with impunity from Afghanistan. Being an unelected force, the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan lacks legitimacy. The commitment of such an illegitimate regime with the banned terrorist groups of various brands merits a regional response as already proposed by PM Shahbaz Sharif during a recent past event at the SCO forum.

Terrorists on Afghan Soil