Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Austin’s woes mount as Pentagon watchdog to probe undisclosed hospital stay
The Pentagon's internal watchdog announced Thursday that it will investigate the circumstances surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's secretive prostate cancer surgery and a subsequent lengthy hospital stay, and will examine whether the secretary's office has effective procedures in place for the "transition of authorities" when such an emergency arises. Published January 11, 2024
First congressional Democrat calls for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to resign
The first congressional Democrat on Wednesday publicly called for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's resignation, marking a significant escalation in the pressure facing the Pentagon chief following a secretive prostate cancer diagnosis and a lengthy, ongoing hospital stay that was kept secret for days from the White House and Congress. Published January 10, 2024
Another ‘red line’? Biden credibility on the line after Houthis launch fresh Red Sea attack
The Biden administration and its allies have reached a moment of truth in their slow-burning battle of wills with Yemen's Houthi rebels, military and national security analysts warned Wednesday, as the Biden administration faces growing pressure to counter the Iran-backed group's assault on global shipping in the Red Sea directly or risk losing credibility in the Middle East. Published January 10, 2024
Defense Secretary Austin kept cancer diagnosis secret from White House for weeks
The medical mystery has been solved, but the political headache continues for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Biden administration. Published January 9, 2024
A ‘milestone’ for psychedelics: Pentagon directed to study alternative treatments for veterans
It's gone from an idea widely mocked on Capitol Hill to one that enjoyed broad bipartisan support as part of the recently passed defense spending bill -- and its supporters believe the change in attitude will save lives in the real world. Published January 2, 2024
Good enough for Grant: Pressure mounts to scrap military beard bans
It's been wielded as a weapon of intimidation in conflicts throughout history. More recently, it's been subject to an outright ban by the top brass. But the beard -- only in its most neatly trimmed form, mind you -- is enjoying a groundswell of support at the grass-roots/stubble level in militaries around the world, including in the U.S., where a historic recruiting shortfall has left Pentagon leaders scrambling to find new ways to fill the ranks. Published December 29, 2023
Houthis use opportunity to roil world economy; brazen fighters target shipping, oil
Yemen's Houthis, backed by Iran, have gone from a little-known rebel outfit in one of the world's poorest countries to a household name that can directly impact global commerce, regional security and international energy markets -- with no easy way to stop them. Published December 27, 2023
Biden urged to step up attacks; U.S. looks to ‘degrade capabilities’ after militias injure 3 troops
The Biden administration faced renewed pressure Tuesday to hit back harder against Iran-backed militias in the Middle East after a Christmas Day drone attack in Iraq left three American troops injured, with one of them in critical condition. Published December 26, 2023
U.S. airstrikes hit Iran-backed militias in Iraq after drone attack injures 3 American troops
Three U.S. troops were injured in Iraq on Monday after a drone attack on an American air base by Iran-backed militias, Pentagon officials said, leading to a round of retaliatory airstrikes by U.S. forces. Published December 25, 2023
Christmas barrage: Ukraine says it foiled massive Russian drone assault
Ukraine intercepted more than two dozen attack drones and several missiles fired by Russian forces in a massive Christmas Day barrage, Ukrainian military officials said Monday. Published December 25, 2023
As war rages, it’s a somber Christmas in Bethlehem: ‘How can you be joyous?’
The city of Bethlehem is feeling a profound impact from the Israel-Hamas war, miles away from the front lines of fighting in the Gaza Strip. Published December 24, 2023
Chaos in the Red Sea: Houthis hit oil tanker, launch attack drones toward U.S. warship
A drone fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels hit a commercial oil tanker in the Red Sea over the weekend, Pentagon officials said Sunday, while the Iran-backed group launched another four attack drones toward a U.S. warship in the region. Published December 24, 2023
What a difference a year makes: Putin confident, Ukraine on the defensive as 2024 looms
One leader is self-assured, convinced that momentum is on his side as the new year looms. The other is on the defensive, faced with mounting questions over whether his nation is on an irreversible path to defeat. Published December 20, 2023
U.S. pressures Israel after hostage deaths; warships fend off Houthi drones in expanding conflict
Israel faced growing pressure Sunday to scale back its relentless military campaign against Hamas while American warships once again clashed with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, as the U.S. and its allies raced to contain multiple interconnected conflicts raging across the Middle East. Published December 17, 2023
Israel under fire after hostage deaths; European officials call for ‘sustainable cease-fire’ in Gaza
Israel faced intense pressure Sunday to scale back its military campaign against Hamas, with powerful European officials calling for a "sustainable cease-fire" in the Gaza Strip and U.S. leaders expected to privately press Jerusalem to wind down the current phase of its operation. Published December 17, 2023
‘Absolutely absurd’: Putin rejects Biden’s warning that Russia could attack NATO
American warnings that Russia could launch an attack on NATO's eastern flank are "absolutely" absurd" and designed only to justify more U.S. financial support for Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. Published December 17, 2023
U.S. warship shoots down Houthi attack drones as Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin arrives in Middle East
An American warship on Saturday shot down 14 attack drones launched by Houthi forces operating in Yemen, Pentagon officials said, marking yet another direct clash between U.S. troops and the Iran-backed rebel group. Published December 17, 2023
Israeli troops mistakenly kill 3 hostages during fighting in Gaza
Israeli troops mistakenly killed three hostages while fighting in the Gaza Strip, Israeli military officials said, with the prisoners being wrongly identified as potential threats after they apparently escaped from their Hamas captors. Published December 15, 2023
House passes defense with largest pay raise for military personnel in decades
The House approved the National Defense Authorization Act on Thursday with a strong bipartisan majority backing the $886 billion bill and sending it to President Biden's desk. Published December 14, 2023
U.S. debate on Ukraine contentious at best; lack of clear vision on victory over Russia breeds doubt
President Biden has framed it as an existential fight, one that requires sustained U.S. funding for Ukraine in order to keep Russian President Vladimir Putin from overrunning Eastern Europe with a 21st century blitzkrieg. Published December 10, 2023
