OpsLensNewsChannel

Pakistan An Ally

Fighting Terror With Terror Is Not The Answer

Death Of Al-Baghdadi Would Be A Win, But Would It Matter?

Don't Lose Focus On Dealing With Iran

Time To Influence Regime Change In North Korea

Latest Airport Threat Raises More Questions About Airport Security

Tsa Failures Warrant Discussion On Privatizing

What Does Next Phase Of Terrorism Mean For The West

Only Media Can Save Themselves

Terrorist Compensation Underscores Two Problems

Soldiers Deserve Proper Punishment For Bergdahl

When Free Speech Becomes Harbinger For Violent Acts

Threat Of Nuclear Attack Should Always Be On Our Mind

American forces in late September conducted six precision airstrikes in Libya against an ISIS camp, killing 17 militants and destroying three vehicles, the military said in a statement. The camp, located about 150 miles southeast of Sirte, was used by ISIS to move fighters in and out of the country; stockpile weapons and equipment; and to plot and conduct attacks. ISIS and Al Qaeda have taken advantage of ungoverned spaces in Libya to establish sanctuaries for plotting, inspiring and directing terror attacks; recruiting and facilitating the movement of foreign terrorist fighters; and raising and moving funds to support their operations. Increased use of drones in the region could signal a new phase of the conflict in Libya as ISIS seeks to establish a stronghold.

Isis In Libya A Threat To Europe

Isis Loss In Syria Could Be A Boon To Efforts In Europe

Harvard Makes Right Decision On Traitor

Pakistan-India Tensions Heightened After UN Speech

Mueller Investigation Continues

Latest Attack In Afghanistan Shows Islamic State And Taliban Jockeying For Position

Secretary of Defense James Mattis “was the target of Taliban attack” in Afghanistan Wednesday. Saying they were tipped off on Mattis’ visit by insiders in the Afghan security forces, the Islamist terrorist group claimed credit for launching a volley of 40 rockets, including 29 rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), at the military section of the international airport in Kabul just hours after the Secretary of Defense arrived. According to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, the Defense Secretary's plane had been the target of the attack which injured at least five civilians. The bold attack emphasizes that the Taliban is again on the offensive since the withdrawal of US-led NATO combat troops at the end of 2014. Taliban insurgents in the Afghan security forces continue to pose grave risk for U.S. military personnel and our allies on the ground.

During a recent interview, failed contender in the 2016 presidential election Hillary Clinton compared Trump to none other than Vladimir Putin with “tendencies toward authoritarianism.” Clinton said she hopes Trump has not “ordered the killing of people and journalists” like former KGB Putin whose critics – journalists or otherwise – have wound up dead under suspicious circumstances. She didn’t stop there, either. "I don’t think he really values democracy, Charlie," Clinton said. This is a bold statement considering Hillary Clinton's post-election efforts to remain relevant and in the spotlight. Even bolder is that unlike Hillary Clinton – whose loyals have thus far failed to pin any Russia conspiracy to Trump beyond fake opposition research and false analogies – Trump does not have a body count list connected to his family name. Nevermind the other victims of Hillary’s political ambitions. #Benghazi.

This week it was confirmed that the Taliban has retaken control of a key district in the northwestern province Afghanistan. A tumultuous area of the country, the region has changed hands twice during the past several months. The Taliban has remained on the offensive in all regions of Afghanistan, despite the fact that the US military has loosened the rules of engagement to target the Taliban and give more discretion to US commanders to launch air strikes and other kinetic operations. While the US military is deploying an additional 3,000 troops to Afghanistan, they will primarily serve as advisers to the Afghan military and police. Meanwhile, the Taliban has been able to launch attacks using hundreds of fighters during broad daylight with little fear of being targeted via the air.

As tensions with North Korea quickly escalate — with the rogue nation refusing to back down from its nuclear testing and threats of such an onslaught- questions now surround the ability of the United States power grid to withstand an electromagnetic pulse attack. As one U.S. official put it, an EMP event would have extremely dire consequences for the entire country, but where the challenge comes is in attempting to quantify those impacts. The U.S. electrical grid, which is deemed one of the most vital pieces of infrastructure in the country and serves more than 300 million, does not have one singular oversight body responsible for its safeguarding — hence authorities have cautioned that the magnitude of threat has fallen between the cracks.

Iranian state television released video footage Friday claiming to show the launch of a new type of medium-range ballistic missile, a few hours after it was displayed during a military parade in Tehran. But it turns out Iran never fired a ballistic missile, sources say. The video released by the Iranians was more than seven months old – dating back to a failed launch in late January, which resulted in the missile exploding shortly after liftoff, according to two U.S. officials. This latest misdirection by one of America's most potent enemies is likely an attempt to capitalize on the unrest being stirred by the pending threat of a similar, though less capable, weapon launch by North Korea.