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Ben Wolfgang

Ben Wolfgang

Ben Wolfgang is a National Security Correspondent for The Washington Times. His reporting is regularly featured in the daily Threat Status newsletter.

Previously, he covered energy and the environment, Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in 2016, and also spent two years as a White House correspondent during the Obama administration.

Before coming to The Times in 2011, Ben worked as political reporter at The Republican-Herald in Pottsville, Pa.

He can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Ben Wolfgang

People standing on a rooftop in Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey, at the border with Syria, watch as in the background smoke billows from fires caused by Turkish bombardment in Tal Abyad, Syria, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Turkey's official Anadolu news agency says Turkey-backed Syrian forces have advanced into the center of a Syrian border town, Tal Abyad, on the fifth day of the Turkey's military offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Kurds eye Syria, Russia alliance as Turkey military advances

President Trump on Sunday ordered another pullback of U.S. troops inside Syria as a Turkish military invasion gains steam and the geopolitical situation deteriorates, with American-backed Kurdish forces now pursuing an alliance with Moscow and the government of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. Published October 13, 2019

People watch from Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey, as smoke billows from fires on targets in Tel Abyad, Syria, caused by bombardment by Turkish forces, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. The United Nations says at least 130,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in northeastern Syria with many more likely on the move as a Turkish offensive in the area enters its fifth day.(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

ISIS prisoners escape Syria detention camp after Turkey invasion

Hundreds of Islamic State supporters attacked guards, stormed the gates and escaped a detention camp in northeast Syria on Sunday, according to Kurdish officials who warned that similar incidents are likely to follow as Turkey forges ahead with its military invasion. Published October 13, 2019

In this photo taken from the Turkish side of the border between Turkey and Syria, in Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey, smoke billows from targets inside Syria during bombardment by Turkish forces Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019. Turkey launched a military operation Wednesday against Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria after U.S. forces pulled back from the area, with a series of airstrikes hitting a town on Syria's northern border.(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Turkey launches attack in northern Syria

Turkey on Wednesday launched a military offensive into northern Syria with the goal of crushing U.S.-backed Kurdish forces and eliminating a "terror corridor" on its border. Published October 9, 2019

A Turkish army officer jumps from his tank moving to its new position on the Turkish side of the border between Turkey and Syria, in Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019. Tensions have risen at the border between Turkey and Syria, on expectation of a Turkish military incursion into Syria. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Turkey assault on Kurds advancing despite Trump warning

Turkey amassed troops and moved heavy weapons to its border with Syria on Tuesday in apparent preparation for a major assault on U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters, with Ankara steamrolling over an international outcry and pledging to eliminate what it calls a "terror corridor" in its backyard. Published October 8, 2019

President Donald Trump, joined by from left, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, speaks to media during a briefing with senior military leaders in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Pentagon leaders insist they were in the loop on Trump’s Syria move

The Defense Department insisted Tuesday that top military officials were consulted and fully in the loop about President Trump's surprise decision to pull dozens of U.S. special forces from the Syria-Turkey border ahead of a Turkish military incursion. Published October 8, 2019

In this Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, photo, Turkish forces artillery pieces are seen on their new positions near the border with Syria in Sanliurfa province, Turkey. U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces in Syria said American troops began withdrawing Monday from their positions along Turkey's border in northeastern Syria, ahead of an anticipated Turkish invasion that the Kurds say will overturn five years of achievements in the battle against the Islamic State group. (DHA via AP)

Turkey military advances as U.S. withdraws from Syria

World leaders were "preparing for the worst" Monday as Turkey moved quickly toward a sweeping military offensive against U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in northern Syria after President Trump's surprise announcement that he would pull American forces out of a crucial buffer zone along the border between the two nations. Published October 7, 2019

Capt. Philip Gunn participates in a flyover during the interment ceremony of retired Brig. Gen. Robinson Risner on Jan. 23, 2014, at Arlington National Cemetery. (Image: Air Force) ** FILE **

Pentagon takes over federal background checks

The Pentagon on Tuesday officially took over the federal background-check system, with a new agency inside the Defense Department now charged with reducing a massive backlog of clearances for employees and contractors. Published October 2, 2019

Chinese military vehicles carrying DF-17 ballistic missiles roll during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. Trucks carrying weapons including a nuclear-armed missile designed to evade U.S. defenses rumbled through Beijing as the Communist Party celebrated its 70th anniversary in power with a parade Tuesday that showcased China's ambition as a rising global force. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

China military parade a warning to Pentagon of waning dominance

The rest of the world was watching the pomp, circumstance and speeches celebrating China's 70th anniversary Tuesday, but military analysts were glued to another spectacle in the heart of Beijing: the arsenal of cutting-edge weaponry capable of challenging U.S. military might for decades to come. Published October 1, 2019

In this Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, photo, Afghan security forces stand guard in front of an election poster for presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, Afghanistan. Millions of Afghans are expected to go to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president, despite an upsurge of violence in the weeks since the collapse of a U.S.-Taliban deal to end Americas longest war, and the Taliban warning voters to say away from the polls. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Taliban threatens Afghanistan elections after U.S. peace talks collapse

The collapse of peace talks in Afghanistan has left the U.S. with few military options as intense fighting resumes, while the near complete lack of public and political support for an influx of ground troops means the Trump administration must search for new ways to put pressure back onto the Taliban. Published September 26, 2019

Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks during a ceremony in observance of the 18th anniversary of the September 11th attacks at the Pentagon in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Defense Secretary Mark Esper pushing to lower civilian casualties

The Pentagon reportedly is crafting a major new policy designed to cut down on civilian casualties resulting from U.S. military operations and will specifically address the growing trend of innocent deaths caused by allies who have bought U.S. weapons. Published September 25, 2019

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (left) spoke Sunday with the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami. Mr. Rouhani said his country should lead regional security in the strategic Persian Gulf and warned against the presence of foreign forces, as the country's nuclear deal with world powers collapses and the U.S. deployed more troops to boost security for its Arab allies. (Associated Press)

Iran threatens ‘full destruction’ of U.S., allies if attacked

Top Iranian officials on Sunday denied involvement in the recent attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure and issued new threats to the U.S. and its allies, vowing "the full destruction of any aggressor" that tests Tehran. Published September 22, 2019

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivering remarks to members of the media during his meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo at the Department of State in Washington, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Mike Pompeo: ‘World’s responsibility’ to confront Iran

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said it's the "world's responsibility" to work together and rein in an increasingly hostile Iran, again stressing that the U.S. wants to avoid military action in favor of diplomacy. Published September 22, 2019

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the media before departing from al-Bateen Air Base in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, as U.S. special representative on Iran Brian Hook, left, listens. (Mandel Ngan/Pool via AP)

Iran threatens ‘all-out war’ as Donald Trump trades tough talk for diplomacy

The Trump administration Thursday tried to pull back from the brink of confrontation with Tehran even as top Iranian officials warned they would respond to an attack with "all-out war," as the Pentagon suggested that Saudi Arabia will take the lead in determining exactly how and when to respond. Published September 19, 2019