OpsLensNewsChannel

Philippines Alarmed By Us Intel's Characterization Of Duterte

Turkish Forces Bomb Convoy Headed To Syria's Afrin Region

Fitness Technology Could Pose Security Threat To U.S. Bases

Democrats Seeking To Counter Republicans On Russia Probe Memos

Pulse Nightclub Shooter's Wife Going On Trial

Norway's Doomsday Vault

Civil War Gold Treasure Sought By FBI

Army Dissatisfied With Quality Of Recruits

First Global Warming Trial in U.S. to Begin

Clintons Received Suspicious Support From Russia For Foundation

Mike Pompeo Says 'Years Of Soft Policy' Enabled Russian Aggression

Secretary Of State Nominee Pompeo Pledges To Rebuild State Department

US May Reach 355 Navy Ships In 2030

New York's Governor Is Restoring Voting Rights To Some 35,000 Parolees

Airport TSA Says Man Was Arrested For Hiding Knife Inside Shampoo Bottle

Top Trump Aide Says Protected Immigrants Need Path To Citizenship

Lava Threatens Hawaii Exit Routes

Guatemala Moves Embassy To Jerusalem, 2 Days After U.S.

Starbucks Closing 8,000 Stores For Anti-bias Training

Campers Burning Human Waste Started 500-plus Acre Fire

Merkel's Coalition In Chaos As Minister Threatens Resignation

Trump Says Iran Will Seek New Deal As Sanctions Weigh On Economy

As military engagement is diminishing ISIS' grasp in places like Iraq and Syria, it's what's going on in other parts of the world that might stand to embolden sympathizers of extremist ideology. While ISIS might be losing at its base, its hard to say that we in the west are winning. As tensions continue to mount over political differences based on a lack of true and in-depth understanding of the issues, fighting terror with terror has become prevalent. But it is a tactic that is counterproductive and loses sight of what separates us from them- the value we place on life. Until those emboldened by hyper political rhetoric and outright ignorance can see past their differences to work together, even though the enemy is losing we will never fully win.

As we recognize the one-year anniversary of the attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, we need be reminded that this event was not just an attack against the LGBTQ community but one against us all and the values that make this the greatest nation on earth. It is those values that mean we as a people have the freedom to celebrate who we are with and around others from all walks of life. Make no mistake- that this event makes an attack against us all and as with more recent attacks, requires a response that transcends politics and shows that we are a united people under a set of values based on freedom, respect, and strength. While those values are threatened by an enemy that does not care what political party we belong to, nor our sexual orientation, just that we live under a freedom that challenges their oppressive way of life. The only designation in times like these is the one that we all share- that we are Americans.

As the Muslim world begins the annual season of Ramadan- marking the commemoration of Muhammad's inspiration for the Quran- recent events have shown the extremes of both sides of the Islamic faith. As has become an unfortunate part of the holiday's tradition, a spate of terrorist attacks have coincided with the beginning of the holy month. A period of the Islamic calendar year that is most commonly marked by periods of fasting, introspection, and reflection by peaceful followers of the religion.