OpsLensNewsChannel

After a Sudanese immigrant admitted as a refugee was confirmed as the triggerman who killed one parishioner and seriously injured seven others Sunday at a Nashville-area church, why isn't this being branded by the media as terrorism or a hate crime? With the target explicitly identified given its affiliation with Christianity, why is there a double standard compared to when events like this occur targeting other religions?

Recent intelligence reports suggesting an increased focus by the likes of ISIS to recruit and utilize young children for terrorist acts is troubling on several fronts. As we continue to fight this war for hearts and minds, it puts an even greater need to develop counter tactics to thwart indoctrination. It also presents further challenges for law enforcement sworn to protect the citizenry as it threatens to pit them against innocent children under the control of the world's most evil enemy.

While the mainstream media chooses to focus its cameras and coverage on those NFL players who choose to disrespect the very flag and ideals that allow them to have the freedom to enjoy the success they have obtained, let us take a few moments to show true examples of pro athletes showing courage and recognizing what is right. The NFL and other professional sports will fast learn that many of their fans are more loyal to the colors of their country than the ones worn by the athletes who fail to show the proper respect for the flag.

CIA Turns 70

Donald Trump's speech this week to the United Nations painted a target directly on the Kim Jong-Un dictatorship and let North Korea know in no uncertain circumstances that the United States will not tolerate their promulgations of nuclear war. Though met with criticism by some, the President's speech was the needed departure from boilerplate language by most diplomats that does very little to establish a line in the sand. And with North Korea's unpredictability, the US and its allies in Asia cannot afford to be anything but clear in what the repercussions will be in the event of an attack.

Escalations by North Korea in recent weeks have a key pacific alliance partnership in its crosshairs. With Japan and South Korea directly in its line of site, and the United States interests in the region as well as the long-term aspiration of nuclear capability to reach America, North Korea proves to be the desolate country that is just dangerous enough to warrant attention. The challenge for this key alliance to all nations involved will be showing restraint in the face of further antics by Kim Jong-Un while determining the best course of action to influence regime change in the dictator-led nation. Add to that China's might waiting in the wings and an unpredictable reaction, the task is tall, but the priority should be high.

As ISIS looks to regroup and regain control of key areas in Iraq now that they have been defeated in Mosul, eyes should be on the central part of Kirkuk province, particularly Hawija where valuable oil resources can be accessed. Despite the loss in Mosul, ISIS’s expansion remains one of the largest threats to Iraqi provinces. After almost two years, Hawija and its 500,000 majority Arab Sunnis still suffer from ISIS’s occupation. What international groups must understand is that Hawija now represents the head of the ISIS snake that is extending into Iraqi territory both geographically and symbolically. The strategic nature of Hawija may make it the second most important city to ISIS after Raqqa.

Popularly dubbed the “gun control capital of America,” Chicago counted its 500th homicide for 2017 According a running tally kept by the Chicago Tribune the threshold was reached following a deadly weekend in which 10 people were killed and 31 others wounded in shootings. NBC News Chicago reports the city police records as of September 17 counting only 490 homicides; with the disclaimer that Chicago PD’s statistics “don’t include killings on area expressways, police-involved shootings, self-defense killings or death investigations. Last year, Chicago recorded its 500th homicide in late-August in what would become the city’s bloodiest in decades. According to the Tribune, the number of homicides is down seven percent from this time last year. However, indicating a strain on the city’s resources to effectively control the gangs responsible, in June, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, former President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff, announced the use of a mobile ballistics lab being operated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) in the city to help process ballistic evidence at crime scenes. One local resident interviewed referred to the gang violence believed responsible for this past weekend’s deaths, commenting “It’s never over.”

When US Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program on Tuesday, he didn't merely argue that former President Obama's immigration policy was legally flawed. Sessions, among a menu of reasons, claimed failing to crack down on undocumented immigrants increases the risk of crime and terrorism. As controversial of an issue the matter has become, the fact is that there have been many times where people attempted to use or successfully used week immigration and border enforcement as a launching pad for their attacks against our country. With the safety of the country's true and legal citizens paramount, a rebuild of policy is vital to our national security interests.

Following the negotiation to retrieve bodies of Lebanese lost in the conflict with Syria, Hezbollah-led Lebanon began transporting an estimated 400 armed Islamic State fighters and family members from its northern border to the militants’ stronghold in eastern Syria. The militants were transferred as part of a deal ultimately between ISIS its Syrian and Lebanese enemies. Under the agreement, the bodies of eight people believed to be Lebanese soldiers were to be returned, while Islamic State militants were to receive 17 air-conditioned buses, 11 ambulances and a free pass through territory held by the Syrian government. A move that creates controversy, and perhaps forecasts a chance at relations between the Islamic State and the terror-tied Shia militant governing party of Hezbollah.

The collision of the USS John S. McCain with a cargo ship near Singapore last month and a similar event involving another 7th Fleet destroyer near Japan two months earlier are more than unfortunate accidents. Rather, they highlight fundamental problems facing today’s US Navy. That the collisions occurred while both destroyers were conducting basic maneuvers — put simply, driving the ship while trying not to run into other ships — suggests inadequate training and preparation, beside any issues of poor supervision on the ship’s bridge. A high “operation-tempo” wears down sailors and ships over time. And one instinctively suspects that training is being shortchanged to meet operational requirements of putting ships to sea.

As yet another IT staffer associated with an elected American politician faces scrutiny and investigation surrounding his role of handling classified information, it is time that Congress sends a message to the American people and those sworn to protect them that an overhaul of the vetting process is one of its highest priorities. As more revelations about these actors roles and intent from the start come to light, it is clear that too much trust is given to those who have nefarious intentions. With foreign adversaries already working hard to expose our country's secrets, violation of oaths to protect America's secrets only makes our enemies work that much easier. It is time for elected officials to send a message and find a way to prevent the trend from continuing.

As military victories in Mosul and ensuing ones in places like Raqqa are taking place, the plan to rebuild extremist-torn nations should include equal weight towards education. After the defeat of ISIS in Mosul, there will be over three hundred and fifty thousand elementary and secondary aged students will be returning to school. Millions more like them are without access schools to during conflicts. As many of these nations in the Middle East and Africa struggle with high adult illiteracy rates and little to no vocational options, the process of rebuilding for the long haul to ensure future generations of these countries citizens can stand on their own is paramount. Without the ability to forge and maintain their own societies through industry and awareness, enemies such as ISIS will capitalize and the cycle will continue.

A look at current challenges for the U.S on a global scale and it doesn't take long to see that most roads lead in some way through China. Whether it's matters dealing with the economy and trade or ones related to our nation's security, China's influence over both our adversaries and allies warrants it being the highest priority for our diplomatic and defense policies. As America's debt level continues to rise with China acquiring more of the control and with North Korea seeking strategic alliances in pursuit of its nuclear ambitions, the U.S cannot afford to let more time pass by without a plan to keep China at bay and protect our interests. It will take coordination and leadership from key Trump administration cabinet members to ensure the United States is resolute in its pursuit of keeping China from wielding its influence in a way that supports those who wish us harm.

Protests in St. Louis turned violent following the acquittal of ex-cop Jason Shockley, who was found not guilty of murdering a black man in 2011. Multiple police officers were injured after protesters hurled bricks at them. Many of the protesters also attempted to block police from traveling the roads, confronted police officers in order to provoke responses, and even broke two windows at the home of the mayor and smeared red paint on the home. Shockley, who has since left the St. Louis police force, expressed his concern for first responders following his acquittal. The protests became so out of control that the St. Louis police department issued a statement declaring that they were no longer considered to be peaceful. Businesses were vandalized and over 100 people were arrested in the days following the verdict. Riot police had to use pepper spray and tear gas to restore order and disperse violent crowds.

The confirmation of new Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray should be a welcome development to all Americans. Given the tumultuous era the bureau has found itself in due in large part to politicization of its work at the top, rank and file special agents and the American public deserve a new leader to steady the ship.

Business as usual within the Beltway?

During his Capitol Hill appointment hearing, President Trump's choice to lead the defense special operations warned that it won't be long until our terrorist adversaries will have access to and utilize drones of their own against us.

A recent change to Department of Defense rules of engagement for combat in Somalia is a step in the right direction to giving military boots on the ground the empowerment needed to make key decisions based on conditions on the ground. With its war-torn state increasingly controlled by extremist groups, both home grown and offshoots of networks like al-Qa'ida, Somalia reflects a key piece in the game of chess taking place in the Horn of Africa. The ability to provide military support to the war-torn nation can help civilians get back on the road to stability. With ISIS losing its battlefield advantage in places like Iraq and al-Qa'ida seeking a resurgence, achieving stability and stemming the rise of extremists originating there should be seen as a high priority.

A recent report suggesting North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un has directed efforts to develop an operational hydrogen bomb raises further concern about the leader’s intentions and capabilities amidst increasing anti-U.S. aggression. It should further underscore the need for tougher measures to keep the unstable leader in check.

Would you vote for her?

Hillary-ous!

Facebook’s controversial “Trending” section set off more Internet chatter when, on the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, the phrase was missing from the much-talked about part of the social media giant. Last month, humans were removed from selecting which stories to "trend" or promote on Facebook. However, when it comes to America’s worst terrorist attack, the algorithm installed in their place may have made another bad error. Along with several social media users, the Washington Post notes that when users went to click on the “September 11th Anniversary” trending topic, they were taken to a so-called “9/11 truther.” The site promotes the conspiracy notion that bombs and not terrorist-piloted planes brought down the Twin Towers in Manhattan.

The latest incitement of violence by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a stark reminder that terrorism comes in all races and creeds. Though the message is different, the intent is the same and in order to understand instances of terrorism we, as a society, should be sure to keep in mind the true definition.

Hillary Clinton has released a new book titled 'What Happened.' It's her explanation of how and why she lost the 2016 election to Donald Trump. In the book, she seems to blame just about everyone. Clinton blames her loss on Bernie Sanders, James Comey, Matt Lauer, the media, and female voters - just to name a few. Sanders, in response, took the high road and advised Hillary Clinton to move on from the 2016 presidential election. He said "Secretary Clinton ran against the most unpopular candidate in the history of this country and she lost and was upset about that." The Vermont senator continued "Our job now is really not to go backwards. It is to go forward."