OpsLensNewsChannel

WikiLeaks recent data dump shows the CIA is capable of spying on individuals through their smart devices, whether they are on or off.

As momentum in Syria appears to be in the favor of rebel forces battling the Assad regime, reports suggest a troubling trend. With allegiances questionable from the start, ISIS sympathizers and fighters are increasingly identified as defecting to the rebel side. A side which represents fighters supported and emboldened in recent years by the United States. As the fog of war hovers over this tenuous country, wavering allegiances by extremist factions stand to threaten and diminish the positive gains made.

Recent attacks and attempts in Europe at the hands of terrorists identifying as ISIS sympathizers shows that terrorists will use anything as weapons to execute violence. While the assailants in Barcelona ultimately had other means in mind given they also had plans to use chemical weapons, it was a common every day street vehicle that ultimately resulted in the casualties of innocent people. And two instances in Brussels and the United Kingdom whereby attempts were made with knives underscore that the threat is among us everywhere, and in the hands of a terrorist anything can become a weapon.

Us Navy Show Of Force With Seven Carriers At Sea

New York Attorney General Resigns Amid Accusations Of Violence Against Women

A recent report indicated that at one of the country's largest airports, the Transportation Security Administration failed to detect potential threats 94% of the time. These threats include explosive materials, fake weapons, and drugs. During the test items were concealed in a more careful manner than the average traveler would go to. Reflecting the very type of threats and efforts to hide that the TSA should be most prepared to prevent. With the war on terror continuing to spread throughout the west, the United States points of transit are increasingly vulnerable. As the government run agency continues to show its ineptitude, is it time to move forward with the privatization of our security at airports?

Apple Helps China Censorship

As tensions amidst political turmoil and division have seeped through the American landscape in recent months, it's taken a natural disaster to show the unity Americans are capable of. And, what America is all about. It has shown the light on the spirit of our country and that, when our backs are against the wall, our citizenry is there for each other and the only thing that matters is helping one another in a time of need. It is in these times that we must put politics on hold and reflect on what makes this country great, and what truly matters.

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.

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.

Keith Olberman Is Retiring From Political Commentary

Mueller Subpoenas Bannon For First 'Grand Jury' Questioning

Salon Receives Backlash For Styling Ivanka Trump

James Comey's recent affirmation that then attorney general Loretta Lynch pressured him into diluting the severity of the charges against Hillary Clinton for use of a private email server echoes similar tactics reportedly attempted against General David Petraeus while he serving as Director of the CIA. Though the efforts by the Obama administration in both cases were similar, the reaction by General Petraeus was strikingly different from that of former FBI Director Comey. Though facing exposure of an affair that led him to provide classified information to an uncleared individual, when pressured to testify in line with the administration's narrative on the attack in Benghazi that led to the deaths of four Americans, General Petraeus rebuffed the pressure and provide his honest assessment of the events that led to and unfolded on September September 11th 2012. In doing so, General Petraeus ultimately committed career suicide the revelations of his affair, and subsequent sentencing, were likely punishment for his honesty. A start contrast to the ways in which Mr. Comey responded when faced with similar circumstances.

Colin Kaepernick Files Grievance Against NFL

ISIS Defeat In Raqqa Most Symbolic Victory Yet

Use Of Body Cams Insignificant, Study Shows

War Between Saudi Arabia And Lebanon Would Further Destabilize Region

Media Outlet Buzzfeed Again Found Supporting Communism

Ted Cruz Grills Mark Zuckerberg Over Facebook Bias

Taliban Assures Afghans A 'Bright Future' If Americans Leave

As Asia continues to dominate the national security headlines as of late due to escalating acts of aggression by North Korea, lost in the coverage of the region is the growing threat and capability of ISIS-linked and back terrorist networks originating in the Southeast part of the continent. Capitalizing on lawless areas and growing civil unrest, it is estimated that nearly sixty homegrown terror groups and cells are operating with allegiance to ISIS. And as tactics of kidnapping for ransom and suicide attacks have proven successful at generating both revenue and exposure for these groups, the time to focus resources on stemming their rise is upon us. Or else we may see parts of Asia become the next big terror mainstay.

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.

Time To Influence Regime Change In North Korea

U.S. Finds Taliban Interest In Afghan Peace Talks