Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
John Bolton Venezuela chaos rhetoric reveals Trump stake in crisis
Thousands of miles from the chaos that erupted in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday, White House National Security Adviser John R. Bolton directed a string of unusually sharp threats at socialist President Nicolas Maduro and found himself embroiled in a Twitter war of his own with one of Mr. Maduro's top deputies. Published April 30, 2019
Nicolas Maduro convinced by Russia not to flee Venezuela, Pompeo said
Amid a popular uprising and violence in the streets, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was planning to flee for Cuba but was convinced by Russia to stay and fight for his survival, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday. Published April 30, 2019
John Ring Gitmo firing ignites prison, detainee firestorm
With its price tag rising each day as the inmate population grows older and sicker, the sudden firing of the top commander at Guantanamo Bay adds fresh fuel to the debate over the prison's future and highlights a political, logistical and legal minefield that neither the Obama nor the Trump administration has managed to navigate. Published April 29, 2019
Alabama, California, Colorado vie for Space Force center
The first major battle for President Trump's prized Space Force is being waged here on Earth, as three states compete for a key component of the military's 21st-century space initiative. Published April 28, 2019
Russia German Nord Stream 2 pipeline to open despite U.S. pressure
Despite years of behind-the-scenes cajoling and open threats of economic sanctions from two U.S. administrations, Washington appears to have failed to dissuade Germany from moving ahead with the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline -- and Moscow now boasts that the massive Russia-to-Europe project is just months from completion. Published April 24, 2019
Mexican troops disarm U.S. soldier at border, Trump warns ‘better not happen again!’
Two U.S. soldiers were confronted and one disarmed at gunpoint earlier this month by Mexican troops operating on the American side of the border, military officials confirmed Wednesday. Published April 23, 2019
Hiking trail approved along Korea’s demilitarized zone
The U.S.-led United Nations Command on Tuesday formally approved the opening of a guided hiking trail near the demilitarized zone, which has separated North and South Korea for more than 60 years. Published April 23, 2019
Donald Trump end to Iran oil waivers threatens to energy markets
As global oil prices spiked to a six-month high, China, Turkey and other key international players rebuked the Trump administration's move Monday to choke off their Iranian fuel imports while experts warned that the escalation of Washington's economic war against Tehran could spark chaos in energy markets and may backfire politically. Published April 22, 2019
Gravity Industries Iron Man-inspired, jetpack-powered exoskeleton wows military
The cutting-edge science and otherworldly gadgets that have been integral to the rise of iconic American superheroes can no longer be considered purely science fiction, insiders and analysts say. Published April 17, 2019
North Korea test-fires new tactical guided weapon
North Korea on Wednesday tested a powerful new "tactical guided weapon," according to state-run media in Pyongyang, boasting that the missile will dramatically increase the country's "combat power" and ability to defend itself from attack. Published April 17, 2019
Patrick Shanahan makes statement with review of deadly 2017 ambush in Niger
By ordering another look at a deadly 2017 ambush of U.S. troops in Niger, acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan could put his own stamp on America's role in Africa — and attempt to reassure a skeptical Congress that he's fully capable of managing thorny politics inside the Pentagon on a permanent basis. Published April 17, 2019
Kim-Putin summit could complicate U.S. diplomacy
With President Trump's diplomatic outreach stalled, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will seek to expand his options and cultivate new allies during a long-rumored meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming days. Published April 16, 2019
Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi crown prince, holds quiet meeting with head of U.S. Central Command
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met quietly Monday with the head of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, and the two men discussed continued "cooperation" between the two nations in fighting terrorism, according to Riyadh's state-run news agency. Published April 16, 2019
Moon Jae-in, South Korea president, aims to bridge divide between U.S., North Korea
As North Korea digs in its heels amid a "tense" relationship with the U.S., South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a key meeting with President Trump -- an opportunity, experts say, for Mr. Moon to seize the moment and pave a path forward in the stalled denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Published April 10, 2019
3 U.S. service members, 1 contractor killed in Afghanistan IED attack
Four Americans were killed and three others wounded Monday by a roadside bomb near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, military officials said. Published April 8, 2019
U.S. pulls military forces from Libya
The U.S. announced Sunday an abrupt withdrawal of military forces from Tripoli amid a deteriorating security situation and growing belief that Libyan militia leader Gen. Khalifa Hifter is on the verge of capturing full control of the country's capital. Published April 7, 2019
Iran threatens retaliation over potential Revolutionary Guard terrorism designation
Lawmakers in Tehran over the weekend vowed retaliation if the Trump administration moves ahead with a plan to label Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. Published April 7, 2019
U.S. admits airstrikes killed Somali civilians
The U.S. military acknowledged Friday that its bombing campaign in Somalia has resulted in civilian deaths. Published April 5, 2019
U.S. arms sales hit $78.8 billion last year, including $4.5 billion to Saudi Arabia: Report
The Trump administration made international arms deals worth a whopping $78.8 billion last year, a new study shows, with a dramatic increase in the number of licenses granted other nations to manufacture American weapons. Published April 4, 2019
Mike Pompeo crafts new ‘ethos’ for U.S. diplomacy, outlines vision in internal letter to State Dept.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an internal letter circulated to thousands of rank-and-file U.S. diplomats Thursday that he remains determined to get the State Department "its swagger back" as he approaches the one-year anniversary of his appointment atop the department later this month. Published April 4, 2019