Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Hezbollah chief warns Israel of escalation, threatens that U.S. troops ‘will pay the price’
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has threatened to unleash the full fury of his militant group against Israel, and mocked the U.S. troops and warships that have been dispatched to the Middle East, vowing that Americans will "pay the price" if a broader war erupts. Published November 3, 2023
‘One fight’: White House links Russia, Hamas, China as it pushes $106 billion funding bill
The threats posed by China, Russia, Iran and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are all part of "one fight" that the U.S. and its allies must win, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told lawmakers Tuesday as the Biden administration mounted a full-court press to push through Congress a comprehensive $106 billion aid package that would reach all corners of the globe. Published October 31, 2023
‘Is it a red line?’ Sen. Graham presses W.H. on response if Iran-backed militias kill Americans
Sen. Lindsey Graham on Tuesday asked Biden administration officials whether the U.S. would strike Iran directly if an American service member stationed in the Middle East dies from attacks by Tehran-backed militias. Published October 31, 2023
Protesters’ outbursts shake Senate hearing on Israel funding
Demonstrators repeatedly disrupted a high-profile Senate hearing Tuesday and called for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, accusing the U.S. of "funding genocide" in the Palestinian enclave as Israel responds to Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Published October 31, 2023
What does Hamas actually want? Illegitimacy of the Israeli state among core tenets of militant group
Questions are swirling over what Hamas truly wants, as Israel ramps up its own response to the Palestinian militant group's Oct. 7 rampage. Published October 29, 2023
What’s in a name? U.S. dominates, Russia plunges in national ‘brand’ rankings
The U.S. enjoys far and away the world's most powerful brand name, while Russia has seen its value and prestige plummet over the past year, according to a major new survey that also shines a light on Asia's rising economic might, which now boasts three of the globe's top 10 most valuable national "brands." Published October 27, 2023
Pentagon warns Iran as U.S. fighter jets hit Tehran-backed militias in Syria: ‘We will not hesitate’
American forces late Thursday struck two targets in eastern Syria used by the Iranian military and its affiliated militias, the Pentagon said, while warning Tehran that the U.S. "will not hesitate to take further necessary measures" if its troops keep coming under fire in the region. Published October 27, 2023
Resentment brews over Israeli plans for Gaza; U.N. leader denies taking Hamas’ side
Animosity between Israel and other global players boiled over Wednesday as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "shocked" by allegations that he tried to justify Hamas' slaughter of civilians, while other prominent world leaders declared that the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group is a collection of freedom fighters, not a terrorist organization. Published October 25, 2023
Israel faces backlash as it weighs campaign against Hamas
Israel faced a fierce backlash from its critics and public admonitions from its friends Tuesday as the strong global support for its military mission to crush Hamas splintered amid the rising civilian death toll and human suffering in the Gaza Strip. Published October 24, 2023
‘Enough is enough’: Israel faces backlash as death toll in Gaza mounts
Israel faced fierce criticism Tuesday from the Arab world and public admonitions from European leaders about its war against the Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas, as Palestinian casualties mount in the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem acknowledges that "strategic considerations" have forced a delay of its long-awaited ground invasion. Published October 24, 2023
Israel losing its window for ground attack on Gaza
Israel's window of opportunity to launch a decisive ground assault on Hamas Palestinian militants seemed to narrow Monday amid reports of growing impatience in Jerusalem over the long-awaited offensive, while the Biden administration privately advised Israel that waiting a bit longer could result in the safe return of more hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Published October 23, 2023
Escalation of Middle East war appears inevitable; more U.S. troops get ‘prepare to deploy’ orders
A wider Middle East war grew more likely Sunday as Israel pounded Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and struck alleged militants in the West Bank and Syria. Published October 22, 2023
Secretary of State Blinken: Biden administration doesn’t know why Hamas released two U.S. hostages
The U.S. doesn't know why Hamas late last week chose to free two of its American hostages, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday. Published October 22, 2023
U.S. sends carrier strike group, missile defense system to Middle East
The Pentagon will send a carrier strike group and missile defense battery to the Middle East and put more troops on "prepare to deploy" orders, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said late Saturday. Published October 22, 2023
Aid trucks enter Gaza as Arab leaders decry ‘injustice’ of Israeli strikes
The first wave of aid trucks carrying food, water and medicine entered the Gaza Strip on Saturday, international officials said, while key Arab world leaders blasted the perceived "injustice" of Israel's growing war against the Gaza-based militant group Hamas. Published October 21, 2023
Nail in the coffin? Hamas attack could finally doom Biden’s diplomatic dance with Iran
The Biden administration's dream of cutting a nuclear deal with Iran was already on life support. This month's deadly Hamas terrorist assault on Israel may have been the death blow. Published October 19, 2023
Pentagon: At least 291 reported UFO sightings over past year; some with ‘unusual maneuverability’
U.S. military personnel and commercial pilots reported at least 291 UFO sightings since August 2022, the Pentagon said in a report released late Wednesday, with some of the craft exhibiting "high-speed travel," "unusual maneuverability" and other strange characteristics. Published October 19, 2023
Mayhem across regional tinderbox obscures direction for U.S., Israel
The string of incidents underscored the tinderbox nature of the region and sparked a retaliation campaign in Gaza that could soon lead to a ground war in the Palestinian enclave. Published October 18, 2023
U.S. troops injured in Iraq after three drones attack
Three drones targeted U.S. troops stationed in Iraq on Wednesday, Pentagon officials said, with some American forces reportedly being evaluated for brain injuries suffered during the attacks. Published October 18, 2023
Israel-Hamas war escalates; civilian suffering grows
Israel ramped up airstrikes Tuesday against Hamas targets in Gaza and warned that any Hezbollah fighters approaching the northern border with Lebanon "will be killed," while fears mounted in Washington over danger President Biden may face on his high-stakes trip to the region. Published October 17, 2023
