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

China censorship extends known distance Facebook will go to please governments, maximize profits

The New York Times is reporting this week that social media giant Facebook has developed a new "censorship tool" for use by the Chinese government, in the company's latest aggressive move to get into the potentially lucrative Chinese market. The news comes as Facebook begins new controversial blocking of "fake news" in the US, a … Continue reading China censorship extends known distance Facebook will go to please governments, maximize profits

Election hacking fears fuel cyber arms race

As US officials loudly argue over how to best go about hacking foreign governments, other countries are taking note, and an international hacking arms race seems to be picking up pace. Of the many unexpected topics that came into play in this year's cartoonish US presidential election, one that received considerable attention was Russian hacking … Continue reading Election hacking fears fuel cyber arms race

Jihadists see opportunity in Trump win

Following Donald Trump's election win last week, many remain in a state of shock while others are celebrating. One group that is happy about the news, however, would probably not get along well with the kind of Trump supporters typically highlighted in the media, should their paths cross. Jihadists around the world apparently see a … Continue reading Jihadists see opportunity in Trump win

Don’t blame third parties for Trump

Unsurprisingly, following Tuesday's election results, some of Hillary Clinton's supporters and media surrogates have been quick to blame third party voters for Clinton's loss to Republican Donald Trump. Steve Benen of MSNBC -- the Democrats' own version of their hated Fox News -- writes that "in Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, third-party voters had an … Continue reading Don’t blame third parties for Trump

The Democratic Party autopsy: A look at how and why Trump won

The dramatic finale to the 2016 US presidential election, ending with Donald Trump victorious, has left the mainstream media and pollsters, along with many Democrats and people around the world completely dumbfounded. Yet signs that a Trump win was a distinct possibility had been visible for some time. Some of the election polling, such as … Continue reading The Democratic Party autopsy: A look at how and why Trump won

US warning to Russia a real threat or PR posturing for US public?

The risk of foreign hackers shifting the outcome of the U.S. presidential election has likely been exaggerated. Nevertheless, officials and policy makers reportedly "do anticipate so-called cyber mischief, including the possible release of fake documents and the proliferation of bogus social media accounts designed to spread misinformation," according to NBC News. To fight back against … Continue reading US warning to Russia a real threat or PR posturing for US public?

As Americans focus on election, U.S. steps up involvement in several wars

With the U.S. presidential election less than three weeks away, many Americans remain focused on domestic politics, or in foreign affairs, on the escalating tensions with Russia over the war in Syria. In other news, however, the U.S. is also escalating its role in an array of other conflicts across the Middle East -- and … Continue reading As Americans focus on election, U.S. steps up involvement in several wars

Syrian refugees catch jihadist the day after candidates scold a whole religion

At the second presidential election debate of 2016 on Sunday, the candidates were asked what they would do to help Muslim Americans deal with being labeled as threats to the country as a result of rising Islamophobia in the wake of recent terrorist attacks. Neither had much to say that Muslims could have found very … Continue reading Syrian refugees catch jihadist the day after candidates scold a whole religion

Officials offer conflicting statements on election hacking vulnerability

Following news of hacks of the Democratic National Committee, the Clinton campaign, and state election boards in Illinois and Arizona, federal officials in the past week have offered conflicting statements regarding the possibility that hackers, possibly sponsored by a foreign government, could influence the upcoming presidential election. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson … Continue reading Officials offer conflicting statements on election hacking vulnerability