As if security experts needed one more thing to worry about…
A frightening new threat could possibly have made its way to airports around the world. It’s been reported that terrorists have been constructing new laptop bombs that could potentially evade airport security. After discovering new advances in bomb-making, that may include undetected components, the FBI began to test for vulnerable airport screening methods. For obvious reasons, they have not disclosed details. In light of this intelligence, there was recently a ban on electronics larger than cell phones being allowed on flights to the United States from eight different countries in the Middle East and Africa.
This alarming information illustrates the scale of global terrorism and its threat to the United States. Since the FBI had been investigating this intelligence for months, the American public was not privy to any of the details. Rightfully so, if you ask me, although I am sure there will be an out-cry from the growing volume of entitled citizens who believe they deserve to know everything . However, the fact remains, there are many dangers in releasing such sensitive information to the public, including running the risk of terrorists gathering intel on what the United States has discovered and how well it works. Knowing this bit of behind-the-scenes information makes me wonder what else our government knows that we aren’t privy to. However, I have full trust in the intelligence community of the United States—as well as those in office—to make the decisions needed to protect Americans, both in-country and abroad.
Perhaps it was intelligence of this nature that prompted President Donald Trump’s travel ban. While those in the United States freely protest and speak out against the government and decisions made without full explanation to the public, there are threats mounting that raise red flags to the diligent community of experts with the need-to-know clearance. While political correctness takes hold of every facet of liberal ideology, the sad truth is that there are several wolves in sheep’s clothing where immigration and travel are concerned. Aviation has been a coveted target among terrorist organizations for years. Commercial airlines present the opportunity to cause the maximum number of casualties for those barbaric enough to commit such atrocities. In the past, terrorists have even commandeered commercial flights and used them as weapons of mass destruction to inflict unimaginable horror on the United States. These terrifying incidents must never be forgotten or pushed to the back burner in the name of saving the world.
While I believe that the United States has some obligation to assist in disasters that occur worldwide—and even occasionally provide a safe haven for some of those truly in danger—commercial airline passengers and their safety are non-negotiable. I would much rather see outrage over the fact that someone is temporarily unable to visit a foreign relative than suffer a large-scale disaster because of complacency. It’s always better to err on the side of safety than to risk lives over some hurt feelings and bleeding hearts. Then again, not everyone in the United States population truly understands what these cowards are capable of, unlike those who have served in the Armed Forces, intelligence, or law enforcement communities and have seen the atrocities first hand.
Angelina Newsom is an OpsLens Contributor and U.S. Army Veteran. She has ten years experience in the military, including a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She studies Criminal Justice and is still active within the military community.
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