Truth, lies and Reality Winner

The day after NBC News aired an exclusive interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and just days before former FBI Director James Comey's highly anticipated testimony on his investigation into potential Trump administration collusion with Russia, another sensational storyline related to Russian meddling in the U.S. election emerged June 5 -- this one threatening to … Continue reading Truth, lies and Reality Winner

Key federal jobs vacant under chaotic Trump administration

As tweet-storm controversies and allegations and investigations of Russian meddling in the U.S. election continue, President Donald Trump is having trouble -- for reasons both self-made and external -- filling vacancies in top jobs throughout the federal government. Trump has recently announced a few nominations. These include Richard V. Spencer (not to be confused with … Continue reading Key federal jobs vacant under chaotic Trump administration

Govt. wants face recognition for ‘non-cooperative’ subjects ‘in the wild’

The U.S. spy world's high tech research agency, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity or IARPA, has launched a new face-recognition challenge, as Atlantic Media's government tech news site NextGov reports this week. Unlike the procession of so-called "artificial intelligence" algorithms that have emerged in recent years for the purpose of identifying faces in photos … Continue reading Govt. wants face recognition for ‘non-cooperative’ subjects ‘in the wild’

Trump, Russia, Bilderberg and the Logan Act

  As usual, the exclusive Bilderberg Meeting, an annual gathering of the rich and powerful of North America and Europe, has released its list of discussion topics and meeting participants – and precious little else about what will go on at the four-day conference, which is run under the “Chatham House Rule” ensuring participant anonymity … Continue reading Trump, Russia, Bilderberg and the Logan Act

Lawmakers renew push for counter-terrorism military force authorization

Nearly three years after the U.S. began bombing the Islamic State extremist group in Iraq and Syria, and just in time for Memorial Day weekend, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle called for a new Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in the ongoing conflict on Thursday, echoing past proposals. "Congress should be … Continue reading Lawmakers renew push for counter-terrorism military force authorization

Wall St. strategist predicts ‘Occupy Silicon Valley’ populist movement

The idea that protesters should "Occupy Silicon Valley" is not entirely new. It was floated more than five years ago, in the midst of the Occupy Wall Street protests, perhaps unsurprisingly in a Forbes opinion piece by a defender of business as usual on Wall Street. Recently, though, the prediction of a populist backlash against … Continue reading Wall St. strategist predicts ‘Occupy Silicon Valley’ populist movement

A tale of two FBI bosses, Trump-Russia ties, deception and the media

Following President Donald Trump's surprise firing of FBI Director James Comey last week, major developments in the Russia investigation story have been unfolding almost too quickly to follow. Wednesday's appointment of former FBI director Robert Mueller as the new Justice Department special counsel to investigate election interference allegations, however, provides an opportunity to reflect on … Continue reading A tale of two FBI bosses, Trump-Russia ties, deception and the media

WCry ransomware attack exposes murky NSA-corporate ties yet again

Last week's cyberattack on computers in multiple countries via ransomware known as "WannaCry"  has made numerous headlines and sparked much discussion and criticism. One side of the story of this major security breach to receive less attention, however, is the light it shines on the cozy relationship between major tech companies and the National Security … Continue reading WCry ransomware attack exposes murky NSA-corporate ties yet again

New Pentagon ‘Algorithmic Warfare’ team to ‘open Pandora’s box’ of A.I.

  Late last month, Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work announced the launch of an "Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team" under a new program called Project Maven. "As numerous studies have made clear, the Department of Defense (DoD) must integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning more effectively across operations to maintain advantages over increasingly capable adversaries and … Continue reading New Pentagon ‘Algorithmic Warfare’ team to ‘open Pandora’s box’ of A.I.

Syrian Kurds armed with U.S. special ops gear the Pentagon denies supplying

Less than a year after U.S. special operations forces sparked an international controversy when they were photographed wearing patches representing a Syrian Kurdish militia group, it has emerged that this same militia is now armed with sensitive U.S. weaponry and equipment in its fight against ISIS, though the Pentagon denies supplying it. The militia in … Continue reading Syrian Kurds armed with U.S. special ops gear the Pentagon denies supplying