While some see the year’s countless political scandals as a negative example of America’s current state, continued revelations and increased public knowledge of government corruption has undoubtedly made 2013 the year of awakening.

Although many of the year’s major news stories can be linked to the alternative media’s expanding influence, several in particular are undoubtedly connected to a surge in the public’s awakening.

Western Governments Run Al Qaeda

Even with a small portion of the public being aware of Al Qaeda’s 1979 creation by the United States government, the idea of the West continuing to run and control Al Qaeda into the modern day has been brushed off and ridiculed by most mainstream media outlets. Now, with the continued rise of alternative media, mainline sources have been forced to admit or become aware of the fact, bringing “Al-CIA-Da” to the mainstream in 2013.

Al Qaeda linked jihadists inside a Syrian USAID tent

As President Obama forged ahead with the admitted decade long plan to destabilize the middle east, as revealed by General Wesley Clark in 2007, the United States’ support of Al Qaeda became increasingly evident. Although the presence of Al Qaeda jihadists in Libya made some headlines, President Obama’s public support of Al Qaeda in the Syrian conflict has forced major outlets to finally state the obvious.

“While the Americans drone al-Qa’ida to death in Yemen and Pakistan – along, of course, with the usual flock of civilians – they will be giving them, with the help of Messrs Cameron, Hollande and the other Little General-politicians, material assistance in Syria by hitting al-Qa’ida’s enemies. Indeed, you can bet your bottom dollar that the one target the Americans will not strike in Syria will be al-Qa’ida or the Nusra front,” said Robert Fisk of The Independent.

The alternative media’s relentless coverage of the situation in Syria, which exposed the hypocrisy and lies from the beginning, ultimately helped block the establishment’s attempt to launch a major war.

‘False Flag’ Goes Mainstream

Despite the historical reality of false flag operations, the establishment has continued to paint the highly documented military tactic as a figment of the imagination. Although the issue has received some coverage by mainstream media, including an ABC News report on Operation Northwoods, the term remained mostly unknown. Following the alternative media’s widely viewed coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing and the Syrian chemical attacks, false flag became a phrase uttered throughout the public in 2013.

‘False Flag’ Goes Mainstream

Despite the historical reality of false flag operations, the establishment has continued to paint the highly documented military tactic as a figment of the imagination. Although the issue has received some coverage by mainstream media, including an ABC News report on Operation Northwoods, the term remained mostly unknown. Following the alternative media’s widely viewed coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing and the Syrian chemical attacks, false flag became a phrase uttered throughout the public in 2013.

Following the tragic Boston bombing, the establishment narrative of alleged facts and information quickly began to unravel. Confirming local news reports, Anthony Gucciardi’s exclusive interview with veteran marathon runner and track coach Alastair Stevenson, who overheard loudspeaker announcements informing runners of bomb drills being carried out at the finish line, shattered the media’s initial stranglehold on the event’s coverage.

“You know, that just concerned me that that’s the only race that I’ve seen in my life where they had dogs sniffing for explosions, and that’s the only place where there had been explosions,” Stevenson said.

With critical information in hand, Infowars reporter Dan Bidondi made international news by demanding answers regarding drills and a possible false flag during three official press conferences. Media attempts to demonize Bidondi and legitimate questions regarding the incident immediately backfired, as Google searches for “false flag” skyrocketed following his appearance.

Despite denying any knowledge of the suspected bombers, the FBI were later forced to admit that both Tsarnaeva brothers were on CIA and FBI terror watch lists since 2011. Information that the Russian government asked the FBI to investigate one of the brothers only six months before the bombing was uncovered soon after.

Similarly, following the federal government’s attempts to blame Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for several chemical attacks, false flag saw another resurgence after information pushed out by the alternative media pointed to US backed Al Qaeda as the primary suspects. Major political figures such as Ron Paul and Pat Buchanan specifically referred to the attacks as false flags on major news outlets while Rush Limbaugh and Seymour Hersh followed with similar statements.