Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Low-level National Guard Airman arrested over sensational intel leaks
The FBI on Thursday arrested 21-year-old National Guard Airman Jack Teixeira in connection with a massive leak of highly classified U.S. intelligence documents, while suspicions deepened that the leak might have become intertwined with a disinformation and influence operation run by a foreign adversary of the United States. Published April 13, 2023
FBI arrests National Guard Airman Jack Teixeira as suspect in massive intelligence leak probe
The FBI on Thursday arrested Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira in connection with a major leak of highly classified government documents, authorities announced, marking the latest turn in an embarrassing scandal that has exposed American intelligence secrets and fueled tensions between the U.S. and its allies abroad. Published April 13, 2023
Biden administration in full-blown damage control mode as leak scandal grows
Key lawmakers demanded answers Tuesday as outrage grew over a major leak of highly classified government documents, with U.S. allies left fuming by apparent American spying efforts and foes openly gloating over a deeply embarrassing scandal that has caught the Biden administration off guard. Published April 11, 2023
Federal investigation into classified docs leak heats up as U.S., allies race to contain fallout
The Pentagon, Justice Department and agencies across the federal government scrambled Monday to track down the source of a major classified documents leak and to limit the widening fallout in allied capitals from Jerusalem to Seoul, where the revelations threatened to stoke domestic turmoil and spark new friction with Washington. Published April 10, 2023
China simulates ‘precision strikes’ on Taiwan during second day of major military drills
The Chinese military simulated a series of "precision strikes" Sunday against key targets in Taiwan, as Chinese battleships, fighter jets and drones carried out a second straight day of major drills just miles from the island. Published April 9, 2023
After leak of secret documents, South Korea to raise spying allegations with U.S.
South Korean officials said Sunday they will "come up with our response accordingly" after revelations that the U.S. reportedly spied on its close ally and gathered signals intelligence related to South Korea's internal debate over weapons sales to the U.S., and Seoul's fears that those weapons would ultimately end up in Ukraine. Published April 9, 2023
Pentagon probing more alleged classified docs posted online, some marked with highest classification
The Pentagon is investigating purported classified U.S. military and intelligence documents posted on social media, adding to concerns of a potential breach after documents that appear to be U.S. and NATO efforts to aid Ukraine were posted online earlier this week. Published April 8, 2023
War planning documents leaked ahead of Ukrainian counteroffensive: Report
Secret documents explaining U.S. and NATO efforts to aid the Ukrainian military were posted on social media this week, according to media reports, representing a rare leak of sensitive internal war planning materials at a crucial moment in Ukraine's war with Russia. Published April 7, 2023
Yemen crisis resists resolution despite Iran-Saudi thaw
The recent rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran brought with it renewed hope that a comprehensive, lasting peace deal may be on the horizon in Yemen, home to a near decade-long civil war that has fueled one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet. Published April 6, 2023
Bill Clinton expresses ‘terrible’ regret for pushing Ukraine to give up its nuclear weapons
Former President Bill Clinton said he feels "terrible" about his key role in a landmark 1994 deal that saw Ukraine surrender its nuclear arsenal, and the 42nd president suggested that it's highly unlikely Russia would have invaded its neighbor in February 2022 if Ukraine still had those weapons. Published April 5, 2023
Balloon collected secret intel for China; revelation counters Biden assurances
China's suspected spy balloon gathered intelligence from sensitive American military sites as it flew across the U.S. in late January and early February, according to new reports Monday, fueling questions about why President Biden allowed the craft to travel across the country before it was shot down by U.S. military fighter jets off the South Carolina coast. Published April 3, 2023
Putin’s power play to bully Europe collapses as U.S. overtakes Russia as top crude oil supplier
The U.S. has overtaken Russia as the top crude oil supplier to Europe, data shows, capping a remarkable 12-month period in which Moscow's plan to weaponize its position as an energy superpower collapsed from strong Western opposition to the war in Ukraine. Published April 2, 2023
Russian spy charges for U.S. reporter spark outrage
Russian authorities arrested a Wall Street Journal reporter Thursday on allegations of espionage, sparking a furious reaction in Washington, adding fresh tension to already icy U.S.-Russian relations and stoking fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin has fully embraced a new strategy as retaliation for Western opposition to his war in Ukraine. Published March 30, 2023
Kremlin energy leverage in Europe evaporates as war grinds on
The U.S. has overtaken Russia as the top crude oil supplier to Europe, new data show, capping a remarkable 12-month period that saw Moscow's plan to use its position as an energy superpower as a weapon against Europe collapse amid strong Western opposition to the war in Ukraine. Published March 29, 2023
Netanyahu moves to ‘avoid civil war,’ delays judicial overhaul plan amid strikes, protests
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he will delay his judicial overhaul plan in a bid to "avoid civil war" amid historic demonstrations, workers' strikes and a rebellion in his own Cabinet against his deeply polarizing proposal. Published March 27, 2023
State Dept. faces Monday deadline to turn over secret Afghan dissent cable as GOP readies subpoena
The State Department faces a close-of-business deadline Monday to turn over to Congress a secret dissent cable that Republicans say will shed new light on the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan and reveal internal warnings from inside the Biden administration about the looming disaster. Published March 27, 2023
Threat Status: U.S. flexing military muscle in Asia amid simmering tension with China
U.S. forces are set to engage in a massive showing of military force next month in East Asia, with Philippine and U.S. troops holding a set of wide-ranging joint drills next month in locations that could be strategically vital in potential conflict with China. Published March 26, 2023
U.S. swiftly returns fire after deadly drone attack, carries out retaliatory airstrikes in Syria
The U.S. carried out retaliatory airstrikes late Thursday after a suspected Iranian drone killed an American contractor and wounded at least five troops, the Pentagon said. A second U.S. contractor was also wounded in the drone attack on an American base outside the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakah. Published March 24, 2023
Pentagon has ‘multiple options’ ready if Iran builds nuclear bomb, top U.S. general says
The Pentagon has developed multiple military options ready for President Biden if or when Iran begins to build nuclear weapons, America's top general told Congress Thursday. Published March 23, 2023
Pentagon pressed on Ukraine endgame as skepticism takes root with some lawmakers
Lawmakers pressed top Pentagon officials Thursday to explain America's ultimate goal in Ukraine, how exactly victory over Russia can be measured, and just how much money and military equipment the U.S. is willing to commit in the latest sign that the political sales job for supporting Kyiv is getting tougher by the day. Published March 23, 2023
