Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Deep divisions over future of Ukraine’s Donbas stand in the way of Trump’s peace deal
The Kremlin made clear Sunday that Ukraine has a right to exist, but only if it agrees to "let people go" from the country's Donbas region, which Russia wants as part of any peace deal. Published August 24, 2025
Vance: U.S. still ‘has a lot of cards left to play’ to put pressure on Russia
Vice President J.D. Vance said Sunday the Trump administration still "has a lot of cards left to play" to pressure Moscow into a peace deal with Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia's lucrative oil industry still remain on the table. Published August 24, 2025
Trump praises Ukraine’s ‘unbreakable spirit’ and ‘courage’ in letter to President Zelenskyy
President Trump praised Ukraine's "unbreakable spirit" and "courage" in a letter marking the 34th anniversary of the Eastern European country's independence. Published August 24, 2025
Pentagon creates medal to honor troops serving on southern border
The Pentagon has created a new medal to recognize U.S. service members deployed to the country's border with Mexico, military officials said Saturday. Published August 24, 2025
Hegseth fires head of Defense Intelligence Agency after leaked Iran damage assessment
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, who led the Defense Intelligence Agency, after that agency produced a controversial report -- which was leaked to the press -- assessing that U.S. airstrikes in June didn't completely destroy Iran's nuclear program. Published August 22, 2025
Russia’s nuclear chief cites ‘colossal threats,’ calls for major nuclear shield update
There are "colossal threats" facing Russia that necessitate a major upgrade of the country's nuclear shield, Moscow's nuclear chief said Thursday. Published August 21, 2025
Land for peace means new Russian military bases in Donbas and a strengthened war machine for Putin
Here's the ugly truth behind any deal that would cede a chunk of Ukraine's Donbas region to Moscow: It could immediately strengthen the Russian military, providing a major win for one of America's leading adversaries in an era of great power competition. Published August 20, 2025
Trump admin approves $200 million in military sales to Ukraine ahead of Friday ceasefire deadline
The State Department late Tuesday approved the sale of more than $200 million in new U.S. military equipment to Ukraine, a signal that the Trump administration is doubling down on its latest wave of military backing for Kyiv ahead of President Trump's Friday deadline for a ceasefire. Published August 6, 2025
Pentagon takes aim at top Washington think tanks: Should Americans care?
At the center of the Pentagon's move to cut participation in think tank events is one question: Who cares? Published August 4, 2025
Golden Dome missile shield in spotlight at this week’s Space & Missile Defense Symposium
President Trump's ambitious push for a Golden Dome missile shield will be a key theme this week at the Space & Missile Defense Symposium, where some of the world's most futuristic military technology will be on display and key Pentagon officials will address 21st-century missile- and space-based threats facing the American homeland. Published August 3, 2025
Ukraine, U.S. zero in on Russian oil ahead of Trump’s Aug. 8 ceasefire deadline
An apparent Ukrainian drone strike targeted a major Russian oil depot Sunday while the Trump administration offered its clearest signal to date that it is prepared to unleash powerful secondary tariffs targeting Russia's oil sector and the nations that buy the fuel. Published August 3, 2025
On heels of Russian military drills, NATO dispatches warships to Arctic
NATO reportedly dispatched a task group of warships to the icy waters of the Arctic this week just days after a major Russian naval exercise in the strategically vital region. Published August 1, 2025
Putin says U.S. indebted to Russia for birth, survival; suggests humility, gratitude in peace talks
The United States of America owes credit for both its birth in the 18th century and its survival during the Civil War to an unlikely source: Russia. Published July 29, 2025
Creating ‘unbelievable chaos’: L3Harris ‘Wolfpack’ aims to give U.S. an edge in crowded battlespace
It's a simple idea but one that's far more complex in practice: Create an "unbelievable" level of chaos on modern-day battlefields so that America's enemies are overwhelmed, overmatched and unable to mount an effective counterattack. Published July 17, 2025
Turning point? As Russia intensifies drone attacks, U.S. aid seen as crucial for Ukraine’s survival
Russia launched a massive drone assault on Ukraine overnight Tuesday as analysts warn that the coordinated Russian attacks could become harder for Ukraine's air defenses to fend off. Published July 9, 2025
Netanyahu to meet Trump, talk Gaza ceasefire plan; Red Sea ship attack threatens peace push
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday his nation has the opportunity to bring a "great peace" to the Middle East ahead of his meeting with President Trump with a potential Israel-Hamas ceasefire at the top of their agenda. Published July 6, 2025
Ship comes under gunfire, grenade attack in Red Sea off coast of Yemen
A ship came under attack Sunday while sailing through the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, British authorities said, leading to a shootout between the apparent attackers and armed security aboard the vessel. Published July 6, 2025
Israel to attend peace talks but says Hamas wants ‘unacceptable’ changes to Trump-backed ceasefire
Israel will send a delegation to Qatar on Sunday for negotiations with Hamas but said that the Palestinian terrorist group is seeking "unacceptable" changes to a Gaza Strip ceasefire proposal backed by President Trump. Published July 6, 2025
Israel-Iran ceasefire holds, but experts warn Tehran’s nuclear ambitions far from dead
A fragile Israel-Iran ceasefire held Tuesday and delivered a short-term political win to President Trump. Published June 24, 2025
Iranian attack on U.S. air base in Qatar repelled; Trump says Tehran gave ‘early notice’ of assault
Iran launched a missile attack Monday against a key American military base in Qatar, but President Trump said that the U.S. had advance warning of the assault and suggested that the "very weak" Iranian aggression was mostly for show. Published June 23, 2025
