On Feb. 4, the balloon was shot down over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina.

Amidst the madness of that surreal and sorry saga, there was a silver lining.

Although relations between the world’s top superpowers have always been characterized by mutual distrust, China’s hatred of America has gone largely unchallenged by most Democratic and even some Republican lawmakers. But this episode marked a major turning point. China’s provocative actions may have accomplished what would otherwise have been impossible: uniting Americans against a common enemy.

Even Democrats were forced to admit that, rather than being a mere fellow competitor on the world stage, China poses a serious threat to America. In other words, the gloves are off.