Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
‘Spies’ carry goods to New York in mission to help children with cancer
As spy thrillers go, the plot may sound familiar: A retired U.S. intelligence officer works quietly to move high-value items out of a war zone. A top Ukrainian general personally signs the contents and ensures they're driven safely away from the front lines of his country's raging battle with Russia. Published May 22, 2023
Drone wars feed need to constantly improve; Russia, Ukraine seek best in class
Those in military circles describe it as a real-life version of whack-a-mole, played for the highest stakes. Counterdrone technology emerged at the forefront at the Special Operations Forces Week conference, where defense industry leaders pointed to the war in Ukraine as proof of why their drone-killing products are vital to fight the battles of today and tomorrow. Published May 20, 2023
Building a ‘superhuman’: Focus on mind, body, soul drives evolution of America’s warfighters
Promises of transformative military technology were around every corner at the Special Operations Forces conference, but few compared to the idea of upgrading human beings themselves. Published May 17, 2023
North Korea hides its war capabilities from the world
The U.S. military routinely prepares contingency plans for virtually every possible conflict on the planet, from a surprise Chinese attack on Taiwan to a sudden conflagration in the Middle East, Africa or elsewhere. Published May 11, 2023
Ukraine, Russia fighting an evolutionary war; tech joins WWI-style combat, giving glimpses of future
It was billed as the first high-tech clash between major powers, a conflict that would offer an up-close look at the evolution of combat in the 21st century. But in many ways, some analysts say, the Russia-Ukraine war is more like World War I with drones and iPhones, with far more in common with age-old approaches to tactics and strategy than many had predicted. Published May 8, 2023
War nears new phase; McCarthy assails Russian military offensive
The next phase of the Russia-Ukraine war appears to be finally underway. Published May 1, 2023
Navy probing debris that washed up in North Carolina, agencies cleaning 25 miles of shoreline
The Navy is investigating mysterious debris that washed up along the North Carolina shore over the past several days and could be part of a U.S. military ship stationed off the coast, federal officials said Sunday. Published May 1, 2023
U.S. drones protect bus convoy as hundreds of Americans flee Sudan
U.S. drones and other military assets protected a weekend bus convoy that moved hundreds of Americans through Sudan to the country's coast, officials said, as Washington ramps up its effort to get citizens out of the war-torn African country as quickly as possible. Published April 30, 2023
After 2 deadly helicopter crashes, Army grounds most aviators until they complete new training
The Army late Friday grounded most of its aviators until they complete a new training program, acknowledging that two recent deadly helicopter crashes necessitate a renewed focus on safety. Published April 29, 2023
Ukraine warns Russia, says counteroffensive will soon begin, hopes to gain leverage for future talks
Ukraine will soon launch its major counteroffensive against invading Russian forces, Ukrainian officials signaled Friday, raising hopes that the long-anticipated operation will finally push Russian troops back toward their own border and could give Kyiv and its Western partners new leverage in any future cease-fire talks. Published April 28, 2023
Enemy of my enemy: Taliban regime aligns with U.S. in killing of ISIS terrorist leader
It's far from an ideal partnership and one that comes with plenty of baggage. But in Afghanistan, the enemy of our enemy may be the best friend that the Biden administration has right now. Published April 26, 2023
Clock ticking on Ukraine’s spring offensive as Biden admin in delicate holding pattern
Ukraine's widely hyped spring counteroffensive was cast as a potential turning point in the war with Russia, a game-changer that would reclaim lost territory and give Kyiv and its Western allies vital new leverage in future peace talks with the Kremlin. Published April 25, 2023
Military aid for abortions fuels political, legal wars; Congress urged to step in for clarification
It's a new kind of forever war for the Pentagon, one that will likely see its battles play out in the courtroom and at the ballot box, with deeply emotional implications for female troops and ripple effects that could stretch throughout American society. Published April 22, 2023
Guantanamo Bay detainee sent to Algeria, leaving just 30 prisoners at site
The Pentagon said Thursday that an Algerian prisoner at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility will be transferred back to his home country, leaving 30 prisoners at a site that once held hundreds of alleged jihadis rounded up in the years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Published April 20, 2023
Kremlin fumes as NATO chief visits Kyiv, says Ukraine’s ‘rightful place’ is in the alliance
Ukraine's "rightful place" is in NATO, the trans-Atlantic alliance's chief said Thursday, using a high-stakes visit to Kyiv to pledge that the bloc will one day welcome the country into the fold. Published April 20, 2023
Low-level National Guard Airman arrested over sensational intel leaks
The FBI on Thursday arrested 21-year-old National Guard Airman Jack Teixeira in connection with a massive leak of highly classified U.S. intelligence documents, while suspicions deepened that the leak might have become intertwined with a disinformation and influence operation run by a foreign adversary of the United States. Published April 13, 2023
FBI arrests National Guard Airman Jack Teixeira as suspect in massive intelligence leak probe
The FBI on Thursday arrested Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira in connection with a major leak of highly classified government documents, authorities announced, marking the latest turn in an embarrassing scandal that has exposed American intelligence secrets and fueled tensions between the U.S. and its allies abroad. Published April 13, 2023
Biden administration in full-blown damage control mode as leak scandal grows
Key lawmakers demanded answers Tuesday as outrage grew over a major leak of highly classified government documents, with U.S. allies left fuming by apparent American spying efforts and foes openly gloating over a deeply embarrassing scandal that has caught the Biden administration off guard. Published April 11, 2023
Federal investigation into classified docs leak heats up as U.S., allies race to contain fallout
The Pentagon, Justice Department and agencies across the federal government scrambled Monday to track down the source of a major classified documents leak and to limit the widening fallout in allied capitals from Jerusalem to Seoul, where the revelations threatened to stoke domestic turmoil and spark new friction with Washington. Published April 10, 2023
China simulates ‘precision strikes’ on Taiwan during second day of major military drills
The Chinese military simulated a series of "precision strikes" Sunday against key targets in Taiwan, as Chinese battleships, fighter jets and drones carried out a second straight day of major drills just miles from the island. Published April 9, 2023
