Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Vladimir Putin congratulates Joe Biden on victory
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday congratulated President-elect Joseph R. Biden on his White House victory, becoming one of the last major world leaders to formally recognize the looming transfer of power in the U.S. Published December 15, 2020
Marine Corps fields new amphibious combat vehicle, first since 1972
The Marine Corps has fielded its new "Amphibious Combat Vehicle," military officials said, taking a major step forward in replacing a decades-old system and giving U.S. Marines a safer, faster method of getting ashore in 21st-century war zones. Published December 14, 2020
U.S. military reliance on China, foreign suppliers exposed by pandemic
Pentagon officials and defense industry leaders say that one of the key takeaways from a grueling 2020 is just how important it is for the U.S. to "reshore" crucial components in the production. Published December 10, 2020
Poland dumps ‘rhetorical musing’ after 2020 elections, scraps plans to construct ‘Fort Trump’
The dream of a bricks-and-mortar homage to President Trump in Poland is dead, and its proponents now are downplaying that it was ever on the table in the first place. Published December 6, 2020
Donald Trump orders ‘majority’ of U.S. troops out of Somalia
President Trump on Friday ordered that a "majority" of the 700 U.S. troops stationed in Somalia be relocated by early next year, Pentagon officials said, signaling a shift in how the U.S. wages war against the al-Shabab terror network and accelerating a trend of American military reconfiguration around the world. Published December 4, 2020
Corey Lewandowski, David Bossie — Trump allies — tapped for Pentagon’s Defense Business Board
The Pentagon announced Friday that Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie, two of President Trump's closest political allies, have been tapped to join the Defense Business Board as part a major shakeup on the panel and the latest in a string of personnel moves in and around the Defense Department. Published December 4, 2020
U.S. troop drawdown in Afghanistan pushes NATO to follow
NATO leaders say they are facing "hard decisions" about the alliance's future in Afghanistan. In many ways, the U.S. has already made choices for them. Published December 1, 2020
Christopher Miller, acting Defense Secretary, visit spurs talk that Somalia pullout is in the works
A surprise trip by acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller to Somalia over the Thanksgiving weekend is fueling speculation that President Trump may soon pull the U.S. out of an "endless war" in the Horn of Africa -- but there are growing fears that a hasty American exit could embolden the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab and destabilize the entire country at a delicate political moment. Published November 30, 2020
‘Fort Trump’ in Poland replaced by Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement
The dream of a bricks-and-mortar homage to President Trump in Poland is dead, and its proponents now are downplaying that it was ever on the table in the first place. Published November 29, 2020
Trump eyes terrorist label for Iran-backed Yemen rebels
The Trump administration appears on the verge of officially labeling the Iran-backed Yemeni rebel movement as a terrorist organization, a move that could bring major aftershocks for what is already one of the world's worst humanitarian and security disasters. Published November 24, 2020
Russia threatens ‘ramming maneuver’ against U.S. Navy ship in Sea of Japan
The Russian military on Tuesday threatened to ram a U.S. Navy ship that was conducting freedom-of-navigation operations in the Sea of Japan, the latest in a series of close military encounters between the two nations. Published November 24, 2020
James Mattis calls for end to Trump’s ‘America first’ approach
Four years of President Trump's "America first" approach to foreign policy has damaged the country's standing in the world and eroded key partnerships that enhance U.S. national security, former Defense Secretary James Mattis said in a blistering op-ed Monday. Published November 24, 2020
Presidential transition begins at the Pentagon
Pentagon officials said late Monday evening that they are in contact with presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden's team and have started to lay the groundwork for a January transition. Published November 24, 2020
‘Rally of Hope’ draws million attendees seeking Korean peace
Divisions remain between North and South Korea 70 years after war broke out, but love, compassion and a mutual respect for friends and foes alike can heal old wounds and finally restore unity on the Korean Peninsula, current and former heads of state and prominent U.S. political figures said Saturday at a major international rally. Published November 22, 2020
‘Rally of Hope’ marks 70 years since Korean War, offers optimism on reunification
Divisions remain between North and South Korea 70 years after war broke out, but love, compassion and a mutual respect for friends and foes alike can heal old wounds and finally restore unity on the Korean peninsula, current and former heads of state and prominent U.S. political figures said Saturday at a major international rally. Published November 21, 2020
Joe Biden pressured to scrap Space Force
The left is already gunning for one of President Trump's proudest and highest-profile achievements by lobbying presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden to dismantle the Pentagon's new Space Force and roll back plans for U.S. military domination of the final frontier. Published November 18, 2020
Abu Muhammea al-Masri hit reveals Iran-al Qaeda links
The reported assassination of a top al Qaeda leader on the streets of Tehran has raised fresh questions about the murky relationship between Iran and the radical Sunni terror group, as well as about the depths of clandestine U.S. and Israeli operations aimed at destroying that relationship. Published November 17, 2020
Pentagon brushes aside criticism, moves ahead with troop drawdowns in Afghanistan, Iraq
The Pentagon on Tuesday forged ahead with President Trump's plan to dramatically cut America's military presence in both Afghanistan and Iraq, brushing aside objections from lawmakers at home and top officials abroad while signaling the U.S. accepts that after nearly two decades of war it cannot fully eradicate Islamist terror groups from the region. Published November 17, 2020
U.S. Navy shoots down ICBM in ‘defense of Hawaii’ test
The U.S. military early Tuesday morning shot down an intercontinental ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean in what officials called a "defense of Hawaii scenario," demonstrating a new capability to counter potential attacks by North Korea, China or other actors in the increasingly tense Pacific theater. Published November 17, 2020
Afghanistan troop withdrawal could lead to terrorist attacks on US, allies: NATO chief
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday signaled opposition to President Trump's plan to pull more U.S. troops out of Afghanistan and he cautioned that "leaving too soon" could lead to terrorist strikes against America and its allies. Published November 17, 2020
