Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Serbia can be Trump’s ‘bridge’ between America and adversaries, foreign minister says
Serbia will emerge from its white-hot political crisis and become a strategically vital "bridge" between the U.S. and its top global adversaries, China and Russia, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric said Friday. Published February 7, 2025
Vance says Trump administration is ‘not just restoring, but expanding’ religious freedom for America
The Trump administration will embrace and uphold the core American value of religious freedom and expand protections for people of all faiths while rolling back federal censorship efforts "used to prevent Americans from speaking their conscience and speaking their mind," Vice President J.D. Vance said Wednesday. Published February 5, 2025
‘Grave consequences’: Japan warned on campaign against church
Japan would deal a massive blow to the universal principle of religious freedom, could deeply damage its relationship with the U.S. and would hand a major win to communist China if it follows through with an effort to punish the Unification Church, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich warned. Published February 4, 2025
U.S. airstrikes kill ISIS terrorists in Somalia
The U.S. bombed Islamic State targets in Somalia on Saturday, President Trump said, marking the first major American operation against terrorist groups abroad since he took office on Jan. 20. Published February 1, 2025
No more ‘identity months’: Pentagon scraps official events for Black, Women’s History months
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth late Friday issued new guidance ending official Defense Department events marking Black History Month, Women's History Month and other "cultural awareness months" across the U.S. military. Published February 1, 2025
Army identifies two soldiers involved in Black Hawk, commercial jet crash
The Army on Friday identified two of the three soldiers believed to be dead after their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided with a commercial airplane in the skies near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport earlier this week. Published January 31, 2025
A deadly ‘mistake’: Focus on Army Black Hawk chopper after shocking D.C. crash
How could a state-of-the-art U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, with an "experienced" crew of three soldiers, seemingly fly directly into a commercial jet in the skies just outside Washington? Published January 30, 2025
Kremlin verifies famed Russian figure skating pair were aboard downed U.S. jet
The Kremlin Thursday confirmed that two well-known Russian-born figure skaters were aboard the D.C.-bound plane that collided with an Army helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday evening. Published January 30, 2025
Trump signs executive order to establish an ‘Iron Dome for America’
President Trump late Monday signed an executive order to establish an "Iron Dome for America," a 21st-century missile shield that would fulfill a campaign promise by establishing a sweeping homeland defense system to counter missile threats. Published January 28, 2025
Pentagon pauses most social media activity for 10 days to ‘refocus’ messaging
The Pentagon said Friday night it will sharply curtail social media posts across the Defense Department for the next 10 days to "refocus" the military's messaging around President Trump's policy priorities. Published January 25, 2025
Once dismissed, Trump’s ‘Iron Dome for America’ missile shield now within reach
It's an undoubtedly ambitious proposal. Some critics have even framed it as the "most ridiculous" plan ever floated by new President Donald Trump, one that's unrealistic for a country as sprawling as the United States. Published January 23, 2025
‘Terror threat to America is alive and persistent’: New House GOP report warns of jihadist danger
America's national security defenses are in a "state of disrepair" and the rapid rise in extremist cases across the country underscores the vulnerabilities of the U.S. homeland, key House Republicans warned in a major new report. Published January 22, 2025
Trump’s ‘revolution of common sense’ sweeping Europe as well, former Polish prime minister says
President Trump's "revolution of common sense" is resonating far beyond American shores as the political climate in Europe shifts away from left-wing policy priorities and toward the "rationality" of Mr. Trump's movement. Published January 21, 2025
Chinese vice president, Argentine president, other foreign dignitaries attend Trump inauguration
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Argentine President Javier Milei and other foreign dignitaries were in attendance at President Trump's inauguration on Monday, even as the new commander in chief vowed to use the full weight of his power to put U.S. interests first. Published January 20, 2025
Trump vows to reinstate U.S. troops kicked out for refusing COVID-19 vaccine
President Trump said Monday he will reinstate the thousands of American troops kicked out of the military for refusing the Pentagon's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Published January 20, 2025
‘We fight for the same values’: Romanian conservative leader celebrates Trump inauguration
Many officials across Europe see U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration as a shared victory. Count George Simion among them. Published January 19, 2025
As Gaza ceasefire begins, Hamas releases three Israeli hostages
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began Sunday as the Palestinian terrorist group released three hostages it held for more than a year, marking a seismic shift in the 15-month conflict driven largely by President-elect Donald Trump's return to office in Washington and his personal push for the two sides to reach a truce. Published January 19, 2025
ISIS ‘on the rebound’: New Orleans attack latest sign of terror group’s resurgence
Behind the ISIS-inspired assault in New Orleans on New Year's Day is a disturbing reality: Military officials and national security insiders fear a perfect storm is forming around the world that could lead to more deadly terrorist attacks in the U.S. Published January 3, 2025
FBI: No proven link between New Orleans, Las Vegas attacks despite suspects’ shared Army past
The driver of a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day was an Army Special Operations soldier on approved leave from his unit when he allegedly carried out the attack, Pentagon officials said Thursday morning. Published January 2, 2025
U.S. airstrikes hit ISIS amid fears of terrorist resurgence in Syria
U.S. forces on Monday struck Islamic State targets in Syria, Pentagon officials said, destroying a truckload of weapons moving through an area of the country previously controlled by former dictator Bashar Assad's troops and their Russian allies. Published December 24, 2024
