Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Susan Rice: Inaction in Syria will embolden North Korea, Iran
With House and Senate votes looming, the Obama administration on Monday began to make its closing arguments in favor of military action against Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime. Published September 9, 2013
Obama continues push for Syria strike upon G20 return
Days before Congress is set to vote on resolutions authorizing military strikes in Syria, President Obama on Saturday again set out to assure Americans that the nation will not become bogged down in another Middle East conflict. Published September 7, 2013
Obama: ‘I was elected to end wars, not start them’
While saying he sympathizes with current public distaste for more war, President Obama on Friday made the case that the U.S. must live up to its global responsibilities, and for the first time raised the possibility that additional military action — beyond what's on the table now — may be necessary if Syrian President Bashar Assad uses chemical weapons again. Published September 6, 2013
Obama plans White House speech Tuesday on Syria
In a last-ditch effort to make his case for action military action in Syria, President Obama will address the American people from the White House on Tuesday. Published September 6, 2013
U.S.-Russia war of words continues as hopes for Syria consensus fade away
As U.S. and Russian officials continue trading barbs at this week's G-20 Summit in Saint Petersburg, any remaining hope that President Obama would leave the gathering with an international consensus on Syria have faded away. Published September 6, 2013
In U.S. and around world, doubts grow over attack on Syria
President Obama, traveling in Russia, struggled to make his case to skeptical foreign leaders for military strikes in Syria, while his administration faced growing opposition from Congress back home, where head counts Thursday showed his war plan in danger of being defeated. Published September 5, 2013
Obama to snub Putin: No one-on-one meeting in Russia amid G-20
As President Obama touched down in St. Petersburg for the Group of 20 summit on Thursday, the White House said there are no plans for a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Published September 5, 2013
Obama says ‘red line’ on Syria belongs to the world
Seeking to enlist more global partners for a U.S. military strike against Syria, President Obama on Wednesday found himself in a fresh debate over whether he was backing away from his own "red line" on the use of chemical weapons by the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Published September 4, 2013
Obama makes fiery case for action in Syria
Making his most passionate plea to date for military strikes in Syria, President Obama on Wednesday said the credibility of the United States — and that of the international community as a whole — is on the line, and a failure to act against the regime of Bashar Assad will embolden war criminals, dictators and despots for years to come. Published September 4, 2013
Senators reach a deal on Syria that limits Obama, gives him 90 days to attack
Key senators struck a deal Tuesday night on a resolution granting President Obama the authority to conduct military strikes in Syria as long as they happen within 90 days and are limited to enforcing the administration's "red line" prohibiting chemical weapons use. Published September 3, 2013
Senators agree on Syria resolution granting Obama strike authority
Key senators struck a deal Tuesday night on a resolution granting President Obama the authority to conduct military strikes in Syria as long as they happen within 90 days and are limited to enforcing the administration's "red line" prohibiting chemical weapons use. Published September 3, 2013
White House wins over top lawmakers on Syria
Making the case that the U.S. must intervene in Syria, House leaders from both sides of the aisle said Tuesday they'll back President Obama's plan for military strikes against the regime of Bashar Assad. Published September 3, 2013
Obama lobbies Congress, defends plan for Syria strike
Meeting with top lawmakers at the White House, President Obama on Tuesday morning defended his plan for a "proportional" response against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and pledged to continue working with Congress to achieve at least some level of consensus on military action. Published September 3, 2013
Nuclear power industry starts to sputter out
The closing of Vermont's only nuclear power plant is the latest challenge to an industry struggling to retain its niche in America's long-term energy future. Published September 2, 2013
IRS continues to hound Tea Party Patriots, demands more data for tax-exempt status
The initial firestorm surrounding the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative groups may have subsided, but tea party leaders say the situation has only become worse and may lead to more lawsuits against the embattled agency. Published August 29, 2013
Nidal Hasan guilty of all counts in Fort Hood massacre
Nearly four years after massacring his fellow soldiers at Texas' Fort Hood, Army Maj. Nidal Hasan was convicted Friday on more than 40 counts of murder and attempted murder. Published August 23, 2013
Texas turns to Ted Nugent to control feral pig epidemic
In danger of being overrun by feral hogs, Texas is enlisting the help of rock 'n' roll legend and noted hunter Ted Nugent. Published August 23, 2013
Obama: Syria chemical weapons attack ‘a big event of grave concern’
It's still unclear what the U.S. will do about it, but the recent suspected chemical weapons attack by the Syrian government is "clearly a big event of grave concern," President Obama said. Published August 23, 2013
Obama suggests WH visit for hero Georgia school bookkeeper
President Obama praised Antoinette Tuff on Friday and suggested the hero Georgia bookkeeper make a visit to the White House. Published August 23, 2013
Obama: NSA surveillance programs ‘loaded gun’ that can be abused if unchecked
President Obama strongly defended National Security Agency surveillance programs on Friday morning but acknowledged that, if unchecked, they could easily be abused. Published August 23, 2013