Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Putin’s power play: Russia’s rebuke neuters U.N. push to end war in Ukraine
It was one of the sharpest, most sweeping rebukes in the recent history of the United Nations. On Oct. 12, 143 countries led by the U.S. and its allies voted to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and demand that Russian President Vladimir Putin withdraw all of his troops from Ukrainian territory. Published November 6, 2022
‘Terror weapon’: With starring role in Ukraine, Iran’s drones poised to become even more lethal
Iran is poised to emerge from the Russia-Ukraine war as a much more dangerous adversary, analysts and national security insiders warn, as its military drone program is transforming into a lethal "terror weapon" that could eventually challenge some of the world's most advanced defensive systems. Published November 5, 2022
Failures of Afghanistan pullout fade for voters
It dominated the headlines in the summer of 2021 and raised serious questions about the Biden administration's basic competence. President Biden's approval rating took a sharp hit and it looked to be a potential political liability for Democrats. Published November 3, 2022
Russian roadblock: U.N.’s role in Ukraine sharply limited by Moscow’s veto power
It was one of the United Nations' sharpest, most sweeping rebukes in recent history. Led by the U.S. and its allies, 143 countries on Oct. 12 voted to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and demand that Russian President Vladimir Putin withdraw all of his troops from Ukrainian territory. Published November 1, 2022
A dangerous alliance: Iran sides with Russia in Ukraine war, raising stakes for West
Iran has rapidly and unexpectedly emerged as Russia's most reliable wartime partner, providing drones and missiles for its brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians, on-the-ground technical support for its flight operators and even turbines to help Russia's gas industry skirt Western economic sanctions. Published October 26, 2022
Dirty tricks: U.S., allies denounce Russian bomb claim as disinformation
The U.S. and its European allies mounted a preemptive, full-court press Monday to debunk Russian claims about a looming "dirty bomb" attack by Ukrainian troops on Ukrainian soil, painting those claims as the potential first step in a major Kremlin "false flag" operation that could justify a Russian response and ultimately escalate to a nuclear war. Published October 24, 2022
‘Transparently false’: U.S., allies reject Russia’s claim that Ukraine preparing ‘dirty bomb’ attack
The U.S. and its chief European allies late Sunday rejected Russia's claims that Ukraine is preparing a "dirty bomb" attack against Russian troops in Ukrainian territory, casting those allegations as the potential first step in a false flag operation that could ultimately spark a nuclear exchange. Published October 24, 2022
‘Disgusting’: Republicans fume over Pentagon plan to pay for troops’ abortion travel
Congressional Republicans are fuming over the Pentagon's plan to offer money and time off for troops to travel across state lines for legal abortions, calling the idea a politically motivated misuse of taxpayer money by the Biden administration at a time of record-high inflation and economic struggle across the country. Published October 23, 2022
‘Uncontrolled escalation’: Russia warns war is spiraling out of control as battle for Kherson looms
Moscow reportedly withdrew its military officers from the southern city of Kherson over the weekend ahead of an expected counterattack by Ukrainian troops, while civilians were urged to flee the area amid signs Russian fighters may be preparing for brutal urban combat. Published October 23, 2022
Pentagon to pay travel costs, offer leave for service members who cross state lines to get abortions
The Pentagon will cover some travel and transportation costs for service members who must travel across state lines to get an abortion, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday in a memo that lays out the broad strokes of military policy on the hot-button issue in a post-Roe world. Published October 20, 2022
U.S. cites evidence of Iranian military personnel aiding Russia in Ukraine fight
Pentagon officials said Thursday that Iranian troops are on the ground in Ukraine assisting Russian forces with drone strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and other targets, marking a major escalation in Tehran's involvement with the war and its military partnership with the Kremlin. Published October 20, 2022
Widespread protests mark end of ‘status quo’ for Iranian regime, dissident group says
Fierce nationwide protests that have gripped Iran for the past month mark an inflection point for the country, said the leaders of a powerful exile Iranian dissident group on Wednesday. They urged the United Nations and governments across the globe to immediately expel all Iranian diplomats and escalate pressure on the theocratic regime in Tehran. Published October 19, 2022
Relentless Russian attacks take out Ukrainian power, water stations
With a cold winter looming, Russian forces on Tuesday accelerated their assault on Ukraine's power and water infrastructure in what Pentagon officials called a concerted effort "to inflict pain" on Ukrainian civilians. Published October 18, 2022
Uncharted territory: High-stakes questions swirl around Russia’s tactical nuke threats in Ukraine
President Biden has warned it would spark "Armageddon." Eastern European officials believe Russian President Vladimir Putin would be "suicidal" to even attempt it, while NATO leaders say it would mark the crossing of a "very important line" with massive repercussions for the future of humanity. Published October 17, 2022
‘Decisive decade’: Biden lays out China challenge, Russia threat in major U.S. strategy document
The U.S. has entered a "decisive decade" in the fight for a free and open global society, the Biden administration said in a major policy document released Wednesday, sketching out the immediate military threats posed by a brazen, aggressive Russia and a longer-term strategic, economic and geopolitical showdown with rising superpower China. Published October 12, 2022
Zelenskyy pleads for ‘air shield’ over Ukraine; G-7 condemns fresh wave of Russian strikes on cities
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded with the West to provide an "air shield" over his country after another wave of unrelenting Russian attacks killed at least 19 people Tuesday, while the U.S. and its allies warned Moscow that further escalation will be met with "severe consequences." Published October 11, 2022
U.S. battles ISIS, Iran-backed militias as Syria quietly becomes top global war zone
In October 2019, then-President Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria. Three years later, the nation has quietly become one of the U.S. military's hottest and most dangerous war zones. Published October 7, 2022
Tensions soar on Korean peninsula as Pyongyang tests more missiles, flies warplanes near border
Hours after its sixth ballistic missile launch in less than two weeks, North Korea flew a dozen warplanes near its border with South Korea on Thursday, prompting Seoul to scramble 30 military fighter jets and sending soaring tensions on the peninsula even higher amid fears that Pyongyang may soon test a nuclear weapon. Published October 6, 2022
U.S. raid in Syria kills key ISIS figure, Pentagon says
U.S. troops late Wednesday night conducted a helicopter raid outside the Syrian village of Qamishli, Pentagon officials said, killing a key Islamic State figure and capturing two of his associates. Published October 6, 2022
As winter looms, a frozen war takes shape in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed papers Wednesday officially "annexing" four Ukrainian provinces into Russia even as his forces face continued losses on the ground, setting the stage for what U.S. officials believe will be a long, bloody winter with both sides shooting it out on a frozen battlefield. Published October 5, 2022
