Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
NATO ministers’ summit punts on Afghan troop decision
The U.S. and its NATO allies are deadlocked about their military future in Afghanistan, with a key May 1 withdrawal deadline fast approaching and no clear signals from either Washington or Brussels on the path forward. Published February 18, 2021
Joe Biden open to Iran talks, re-entering nuclear deal
Top Biden administration officials said Thursday that the U.S. would accept an invitation from the European Union to join multilateral talks with Iran, extending an olive branch that could pave the way for Washington to re-enter a landmark global nuclear deal with Tehran or craft another to take its place. Published February 18, 2021
‘No final decision:’ NATO deadlocked on Afghanistan mission as May 1 deadline looms
NATO defense chiefs have made "no final decision" about the alliance's military future in Afghanistan, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday as pressure grows on the U.S. and its allies ahead of a key May 1 deadline for withdrawal from the country. Published February 18, 2021
U.S., Israel building new system that can target missiles in space
The U.S. and Israel are collaborating on a groundbreaking missile defense system that can target and eliminate threats in the atmosphere and in space, officials from the two nations said Thursday. Published February 18, 2021
U.S., Japan extend $1.9 billion deal to cover costs of American troops
Washington and Tokyo finalized a $1.9 billion deal this week to cover the costs of the roughly 55,000 American troops stationed in Japan. Published February 17, 2021
Biden stands up ‘China Task Force’ at the Pentagon
President Biden on Wednesday issued an urgent call for a governmentwide effort to reevaluate and confront the threat posed by China, making his first trip to the Pentagon as president to announce a high-level task force that could overhaul American military policy toward its chief 21st-century rival. Published February 10, 2021
Joe Biden to visit Pentagon amid force posture review, anti-extremism push
President Biden will visit the Pentagon on Wednesday for the first time since becoming commander in chief on Jan. 20 and will address a Defense Department in the midst of a major review of U.S. troop presence abroad, an anti-extremism push across all branches of the armed forces and other key changes in all corners of the military. Published February 10, 2021
Iran, U.S. demand other move first to rejoining nuclear deal
The United States and Iran are at a diplomatic stalemate as both sides dig in and refuse to make the first move toward the resurrection of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers, including the U.S. Published February 7, 2021
Iran demands U.S. move first to salvage 2015 nuclear deal
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said Sunday the U.S. must make the first move to salvage the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers. Published February 7, 2021
Lloyd Austin, Biden Pentagon chief,: Climate change front and center
Across the armed forces, climate change and its ripple effects are taking center stage in the Biden administration's Pentagon. Published February 3, 2021
Arctic buildup: U.S. Air Force deploys B-1 bomber squadron to Norway for first time
The Pentagon this week dispatched a B-1 Lancer bomber squadron to Norway, military officials said Tuesday, with the first-ever deployment serving as the latest example of how the U.S. is ramping up its presence in the Arctic region amid growing competition with Russia. Published February 3, 2021
COVID-19 woes add to defense industry’s burdens, survey says
In its second annual "Vital Signs" industry report card, the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) -- the leading trade group for American defense contractors -- gave the sector a "C" grade, a barely passing mark that points to troubling trends that have direct effects on U.S. national security at home and military superiority abroad. Published February 2, 2021
Pentagon to purge advisory boards; last-minute Trump administration appointees to resign or be fired
Hundreds of members serving on more than three dozen Pentagon advisory boards must resign in the next two weeks or be fired, Defense Department officials said Tuesday, revealing a sweeping, "zero-based" review of the panels that help guide military policy on education, business, science, and even the renaming of Army bases. Published February 2, 2021
‘Deterioration’: U.S. defense industry falling behind in key areas, study warns
There is clear deterioration in key corners of the U.S. defense-industrial base, a new report warns, with major holes in cybersecurity and a lack of skilled workers across the sector threatening to undermine America's advantage over global competitors such as China. Published February 2, 2021
Navy to conduct special operations training at Washington state parks
Navy special operations forces soon will have a new training ground: state parks in Washington. Published February 1, 2021
Russian fighter jet conducts dangerous ‘low pass’ of U.S. ship in Black Sea
A Russian fighter jet on Sunday buzzed past an American warship operating in the Black Sea, officials said, describing the incident as a dangerous, unjustified "low pass." Published February 1, 2021
On Russia’s doorstep: Two U.S. destroyers now in Black Sea
The U.S. Navy this week dispatched a second guided-missile destroyer to Russia's doorstep in the Black Sea, sending an unmistakable message to the Kremlin and beefing up NATO defenses in the strategically vital region. Published January 29, 2021
Pentagon memo: Amazon court win, Trump deposition could doom $10 billion war cloud
A legal victory for Amazon could effectively doom the Pentagon's $10 billion "war cloud" initiative, defense officials told Congress in a stark memo Thursday that warned of a potentially bleak outcome in the bitter battle over one of the military's most ambitious technology projects in decades. Published January 28, 2021
Marine Corps moves ahead with ‘kamikaze drone’ project
The Marine Corps this week took a major step forward in developing an unmanned ship capable of carrying and deploying swarms of killer "kamikaze drones" able to attack targets at sea or on land. Published January 27, 2021
U.S. B-52 bomber completes mission over Persian Gulf in warning to Iran
An American B-52 bomber completed a round-trip mission from the U.S. to the Persian Gulf and back on Wednesday, military officials said, the first such flight since President Biden took office Jan. 20 and one designed to deliver a clear warning to Iran. Published January 27, 2021
