Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Trump calls for ‘new leadership’ in Iran; Ayatollah Khamenei blames Trump for violent protests
President Trump called this weekend for "new leadership" in Iran just hours after a social media tirade by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, blaming Mr. Trump personally for violent protests across Tehran and the deaths of thousands of Iranians. Published January 18, 2026
U.S. kills al Qaeda-linked operative connected to deadly ISIS ambush in Syria, Pentagon says
U.S. forces killed a terrorist operative linked to al Qaeda who was directly connected to a December ambush that killed two American service members and a civilian interpreter in Syria, the Pentagon announced Saturday. Published January 18, 2026
Navy at an ‘inflection point,’ surface fleet more vital than ever, key GOP lawmaker says
The U.S. Navy is at an "inflection point" amid growing threats from great power rivals and terrorist groups around the world, a key Republican lawmaker said Wednesday morning, and he stressed the U.S. must maintain a strong surface fleet that includes large, small and uncrewed vessels. Published January 14, 2026
Pentagon takes $1 billion stake in solid rocket motor supply chain with rare direct investment
The Pentagon announced a groundbreaking direct-to-supplier move on Tuesday that will see the federal government invest $1 billion in a new company, to be spun off from defense industry giant L3Harris, that will produce solid rocket motors. Published January 13, 2026
Trump’s call for more lethal U.S. Navy puts spotlight on Virginia defense symposium
More boats, smarter weapons and deadlier guns are just a few items on President Trump's wish list that U.S. Navy officials and defense leaders will tackle this week at the Surface Navy Association's National Symposium in Arlington, Virginia. Published January 12, 2026
Venezuela, Nigeria, Syria: U.S. military shows its power to strike anywhere on Earth
U.S. forces in a two-week stretch destroyed more than 70 Islamic State targets in Syria, struck extremists in northern Nigeria and carried out a daring raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from a heavily guarded compound in Caracas. Published January 7, 2026
Oil gives the U.S. major leverage over Venezuela. How will the Trump administration use it?
Venezuela's state-run oil company is reducing production as a U.S. military blockade severely strains the country's fuel storage capacity, underscoring the Trump administration's significant economic leverage over the new leaders in Caracas. Published January 5, 2026
Oil, drugs, sphere of influence: How Venezuela became the epicenter of Trump’s foreign policy
The stunning military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and brought him to the U.S. to stand trial was a drastic step taken by a commander in chief who traditionally has been cautious about military entanglements abroad. Published January 3, 2026
Mexico condemns U.S. military action in Venezuela, capture of Maduro
Mexico on Saturday condemned U.S. military action in Venezuela and the capture of that country's president, Nicolas Maduro, warning that the operation "seriously jeopardizes regional stability." Published January 3, 2026
U.S. captures Maduro after ‘large-scale’ military strikes in Venezuela, Trump says
The U.S. carried out major strikes in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and captured the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, and flew him out of the country, President Trump said early Saturday. Published January 3, 2026
A space ‘slippery slope’: Who is responsible for commercial satellites crucial to national security?
This scenario seems highly likely in a major 21st-century conflict: An adversary destroys some of the commercial space satellites on which the U.S. military relies. Published December 30, 2025
Rep. Turner defends strikes against Islamic State in Nigeria as Democrats question tactics
Rep. Mike Turner on Sunday defended the Trump administration's Christmas strikes against Islamic State targets in Nigeria, arguing that they were consistent with U.S. foreign policy and are necessary to combat global extremism. Published December 28, 2025
U.S. launches strikes on Islamists in Nigeria
U.S. forces struck numerous Islamic State targets in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day in what President Trump said was retaliation for the terror group's years of attacks on Christian civilians in the African nation. Published December 25, 2025
Military hits best recruiting numbers in 15 years, Pentagon says
The U.S. military in fiscal year 2025 achieved its best recruiting numbers in 15 years, Pentagon officials said, with each service exceeding its goal and all reserve components, with the exception of the Army Reserve, also hitting their targets. Published December 23, 2025
U.S. answers ISIS with massive strike on Syria
U.S. forces late Friday launched a massive attack against Islamic State targets across Syria, fulfilling President Trump's vow of "retaliation" after an ISIS gunman killed three Americans last weekend. Published December 20, 2025
FLASHBACK: Trump versus Maduro: Why the White House is fixated on Venezuela
Donald Trump's fixation on Venezuela reflects a unique combination of factors, from the geopolitical to the economic to the personal, that has led the White House to pursue a multi-pronged push to squeeze what many see as the illegitimate government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Published December 16, 2025
Terrorists kill 15, wound dozens in brazen attack on Hanukkah celebration in Australia
Gunmen killed 15 people and wounded dozens more in a shocking assault at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, the latest in a string of antisemitic attacks around the world and one that led authorities in major U.S. cities to ramp up protection ahead of their own Hanukkah events this week. Published December 14, 2025
Deadly attack puts focus on U.S. support for fragile new Syrian government
A deadly Islamic State attack in Syria over the weekend has reignited a debate about why U.S. troops are still in the country at all and whether their presence there is actually making the Middle East even more dangerous. Published December 14, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy drops NATO bid ahead of peace talks with U.S.: report
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reportedly abandoned his country's ambition to join NATO, signaling a major concession ahead of peace talks Sunday with U.S. officials in Berlin. Published December 14, 2025
Document shows U.S. seized Venezuelan oil tanker hours before federal warrant expired
U.S. forces boarded and took control of a Venezuelan oil tanker last week just hours before a federal warrant for its seizure expired, according to a newly released but heavily redacted 27-page warrant. Published December 14, 2025
