Yahoo News: Local experts give thoughts on the objects shot down from sky
UC political scientists tell media there are reasons for the secrecy with spy balloon
What the public doesn’t know about the recent spy balloon and three other objects shot down in U.S. airspace over the last 8 days is likely being kept secret for a reason, say cyber security experts Richard Harknett and Gregory Winger, both political scientists with UC’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA).
While the U.S. government has confirmed that the first balloon was a spy balloon, it has not confirmed the nature and purpose of the other three “objects”: and limited information coming from the White House has left a lot of questions from the public unanswered.
“When you announce what these things are (then) you are telling your adversaries something about your capabilities and your ability to discern X from Y…you don’t want to give away the game plan,” Harknett told WCPO, when interviewed along with Winger., who agreed that “when you tell the public you tell your adversaries as well.”
Harknett is a professor and director of the UC School of Public and International Affairs, Co-Director of the Ohio Cyber Range Institute, and chair of UC's Center for Cyber Strategy and Policy.
Winger is an assistant professor at the school who specializes in cybersecurity, U.S. foreign policy, and security studies. His research examines security cooperation and how collaborative activities, like defense diplomacy, have been used to facility cooperation on emerging security issues.
Both agree that the purpose of the administration, and the military, is to secure the country, without giving over national secrets.
“Let’s make sure that our national security is advanced and not weak,” by sharing information that is critical to our national defense, says Harknett.
Featured image at top courtesy of Unsplash.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Clifton Court Hall grand opening garners detailed media coverage
September 20, 2023
The University of Cincinnati celebrated the opening of Clifton Court Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 19, with a ribbon cutting, attended by approximately 200 administrators, faculty, staff and students. The event was covered by multiple media outlets.
USA TODAY: Fact check: Identical injured dog posts are a viral scam
October 21, 2022
UC social media expert cited in USA Today explains how social media posts can be replicated to see who might be vulnerable to sad stories such as a dog getting hit by a car. Use caution and verify posts through outside sources, says Jeffery Blevins, professor and head of UC's Department of Journalism.
INSIDER: Here's everything TikTok says it's doing to fight misinformation
August 18, 2022
Business Insider article on TikTok's new policies to confront misinformation cites UC social media expert Jeffery Blevins
The Tampa Bay Times: What are ‘tactical’ nuclear weapons...?
April 22, 2022
If Russia drops nuclear bombs it will become a pariah, says UC political scientist Brendan Green.
Local 12: Local expert weighs in on political mailers
November 2, 2022
Do all those political mailers in your mailbox make a difference? UC political scientist Brian Calfano says it's not likely to sway voters, but it's a campaign tradition that doesn't seem to want to die out.
USA Today: State supreme court races have new significance
July 18, 2022
State legislator elections don't often get the attention they need, says UC political scientist David Niven
BioSpace: Why China’s biotech sector thrives despite a global recession
July 27, 2022
China's biotech advances and growing by leaps and bounds, pushing it closer to the top of global efforts.
Newsweek: Have the Jan.6 hearings hurt Donald Trump?
June 29, 2022
UC political scientist David Niven weighs in on the Jan. 6 committee hearings and the impact on public opinion
WVXU: The ethical and privacy concerns over deep fakes and AI
August 9, 2022
WVXU panel discussion on deep fakes and AI technology includes guest speaker Richard Harknett, professor and director of the School of Public and International Affairs.
WCPO: Higher education bill introduced in Ohio
March 22, 2023
A proposed Ohio senate bill is viewed as a complete overhaul of higher education, according to media. Legislation is not typically as all encompassing as this bill, says David Niven, an associate professor of public and international affairs.