Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
U.S., Afghan air force unleash massive airstrikes as Taliban threaten key cities
The Afghan air force on Monday pounded the Taliban with repeated airstrikes in an effort to keep insurgent fighters from capturing key cities in southern and western Afghanistan, officials said, as the battle for the country's future moves from the rural countryside toward major population centers. Published August 2, 2021
Pentagon moving ‘expeditiously’ toward mandatory COVID-19 vaccine for troops
The Pentagon hopes to move "expeditiously" toward mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all U.S. service members, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday, pledging to consult with military doctors and to quickly develop a path forward. Published July 31, 2021
Lawmakers move to rein in Interpol ‘abuse’ by autocratic regimes
It's become far too easy for repressive regimes around the world to abuse Interpol and use international law enforcement to target dissidents and political opponents, a bipartisan group of lawmakers said Friday as they rolled out legislation to limit how governments can enlist the group. Published July 30, 2021
Russian commandos hold major drills along Afghan border
Russian commandos on Friday kicked off a series of military drills along the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan border, fueling questions about a regional power vacuum left by the unfolding U.S. and allied military withdrawal from Afghanistan that Russia and other players will seek to fill. Published July 30, 2021
Biden to call off U.S. combat mission in Iraq by the end of the year
The U.S. will end its combat mission in Iraq by the end of the year, President Biden announced Monday, with American forces shifting to an advisory and training role but potentially opening the door, critics say, for Iran to gain even more influence in the region. Published July 26, 2021
Biden, Iraqi leader to discuss U.S. troops, Iran-linked drone strikes
The future of the U.S. war in Iraq will come into focus Monday when President Biden meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the White House, with the two leaders expected to finalize a withdrawal plan that could fundamentally reshape America's military role in the Middle East. Published July 25, 2021
Iraqi leader to push Biden on withdrawal of U.S. forces
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said his country no longer needs U.S. combat troops on its soil and it is time for America to transition to a support role in Iraq. Published July 25, 2021
Afghan losses, Haiti killing spark new questions about U.S. foreign military training
The Pentagon has invested two decades of time and untold manpower to train Afghan security forces, while American taxpayers have spent tens of billions of dollars providing direct financial assistance and military equipment for the effort. Published July 22, 2021
Coups, race, White rage: Pentagon dragged deeper into politics, culture wars
The Pentagon was dragged deeper into the political fray Wednesday as the military's top uniformed officer faced repeated questions about his view on "White rage" and whether he crafted private plans to stop President Trump from staging a coup to stay in power. Published July 21, 2021
Army War College commandant reinstated, cleared of sexual assault charges
Maj. Gen. Stephen Maranian was reinstated Wednesday as commandant of the U.S. Army War College after a months-long investigation into claims of abusive sexual contact found "no probable cause" that he committed the offense. Published July 21, 2021
Fumble? Pentagon watchdog to review security of president’s ‘nuclear football’
The Pentagon's chief watchdog has launched a major review of security procedures involving the so-called "nuclear football," the briefcase that contains launch codes for starting a nuclear war. Published July 20, 2021
‘Extremely destabilizing’: U.S., Russia trade shots over hypersonic missiles
The U.S. and Russia on Monday traded shots over the development and deployment of hypersonic missiles, with each nation accusing the other of using the cutting-edge weapons in a "destabilizing" way that could lead to conflict. Published July 20, 2021
U.S. transfers Guantanamo Bay prisoner to Morocco; Gitmo population drops to 39
The Biden administration said Monday it has transferred a detainee from the Guantanamo Bay detention center back to his native country of Morocco, cutting the total number of prisoners at the controversial site in Cuba to 39 with more moves on the horizon. Published July 19, 2021
Biden’s troop drawdown could extend far beyond Afghanistan
Afghanistan may be the first domino to fall in a much broader restructuring of America's military footprint across the broader Middle East and Central Asia. Published July 17, 2021
‘Blown up in their face’: Death of Pentagon war cloud contract sparks questions about Amazon’s power
With the Pentagon's $10 billion virtual "war cloud" now dead, military officials and key lawmakers are left with a troubling question: Can a company as powerful as Amazon effectively dictate how the federal government does business in the 21st century? Published July 15, 2021
Alleged Iran kidnap plot complicates Biden diplomatic push
President Biden faced renewed pressure to rethink his diplomatic outreach to Tehran after the Justice Department late Tuesday charged four Iranian intelligence officials with plotting to kidnap a U.S. journalist in New York City. Published July 14, 2021
‘Chilling’: Iranian plot to kidnap U.S. journalist puts more pressure on Biden
President Biden is under renewed pressure to rethink diplomatic negotiations with Tehran after the Justice Department late Tuesday charged four Iranian intelligence officials with plotting to kidnap a U.S. journalist in New York City. Published July 14, 2021
‘Silly question’: Biden bristles when asked if he trusts the Taliban
President Biden on Thursday fired back at a reporter who asked whether he trusts the Taliban, the insurgent group that's quickly overrunning large parts of Afghanistan as U.S. troops exit. Published July 8, 2021
Biden sets Aug. 31 Afghan exit date amid Taliban surge: ‘Status quo was not an option’
President Biden on Thursday offered a strong defense of his decision to withdraw all U.S. military forces from Afghanistan and said the "status quo" of a continued, indefinite American presence in the country after 20 years of war simply isn't a viable option. Published July 8, 2021
‘Alternate reality’: Biden on defensive as Taliban advance, Afghanistan crumbles
The Biden administration is scrambling this week to defend its rapid withdrawal from Afghanistan amid a string of Taliban victories that have left the nation's fragile central government apparently barreling toward collapse. Published July 7, 2021
