Context
There are reports claiming that two Chinese war planes intercepted an American U-2 spy aircraft recently over the Taiwan Straits. Speaking of the incident, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen on Monday said, “We both have to be very careful about how we fly them. We have to be careful about the intercepts.” Though the comments definitely sound prudent, it suggested US doesn’t seem willing to abandon such maneuvers. Mullen reiterated at the same time that Washington “won’t be deterred from flying in international airspace” on Chinese doorstep, despite Beijing’s opposition. The situation appears similar to how the drone attacks have continued in FATA despite Pakistan’s public criticism.
