Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Army aims to build, repair drones ‘in-house’ as 3D-printing revolution accelerates
Here's a way the Army can speed up the defense manufacturing process: Make things itself. Published June 13, 2025
Israel launches preemptive strikes on Iran
Israel launched preemptive airstrikes on Iran early on Friday while Tehran reportedly scrambled fighter jets and the Trump administration warned Iran against targeting U.S. troops in response. Published June 12, 2025
Could L.A. troop deployments be a pivotal moment for Pentagon chief Hegseth?
The deployment of active-duty Marines to Los Angeles to quell widespread and sometimes violent immigration raid protests could turn into a pivotal moment for the two men President Trump has put atop the U.S. military: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine. Published June 10, 2025
Recruitment surges in ‘warrior’ culture
The Army has exceeded its fiscal year 2025 recruiting goal with four months to spare, officials announced Tuesday, with 61,000 future soldiers signing up and average per-day enlistments up over last year by more than 50%. Published June 3, 2025
Attack deep inside Russia gives edge to Ukraine, puts pressure on Putin
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators seemed to make little progress during their second round of peace talks Monday in Istanbul, but seismic developments on the battlefield Sunday reshaped the conflict and seemingly put the momentum firmly on Kyiv's side. Published June 2, 2025
‘Russian Pearl Harbor’: Moscow stunned after Ukrainian drones hit 5 bases, destroy 40 aircraft
Ukrainian forces destroyed more than 40 aircraft and struck five separate Russian air bases in a surprise assault Sunday that represented one of the most devastating, embarrassing blows to Moscow's war machine since its war with Kyiv began more than three years ago. Published June 2, 2025
U.S.-backed aid group denies that 31 Palestinians were killed on their way to get food in Rafah
Officials with the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip said that 31 Palestinians were shot dead Sunday on their way to get food from an aid distribution site. Published June 1, 2025
China accuses Hegseth of ‘Cold War mentality,’ says U.S. turning Pacific into ‘powder keg’
The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Sunday issued a blistering statement that accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of pushing a "Cold War mentality" and stoking "bloc confrontation" between China and the U.S. Published June 1, 2025
Trump pulls billionaire Jared Isaacman’s nomination to lead NASA, cites ‘prior associations’
President Trump is pulling the nomination of billionaire and private commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Published June 1, 2025
Trump sees opportunity in Syria despite leader’s al Qaeda past
For the new, politically untested Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, it was a seismic, high-profile development: an in-person May 14 meeting with U.S. President Trump, a promise to lift economic sanctions on Damascus, and an endorsement from both Mr. Trump and key Middle East leaders. Published May 26, 2025
Top administration official blasts reports of internal dissension over Syria policy
There is "no daylight" between top Trump administration officials on the president's decision to lift economic sanctions on Syria, a top State Department official told The Washington Times after reports of dissension at the highest levels of U.S. foreign policy decision-making. Published May 22, 2025
Trump says ‘Golden Dome’ will be operational in 3 years, taps Space Force official to run it
President Trump has selected the architecture for his ambitious Golden Dome missile shield and said Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, Space Force vice chief of space operations, will oversee the effort to get it up and running. Published May 20, 2025
Trump: Putin ready for ‘immediate’ Ukraine ceasefire talks
President Trump said Monday after a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow and Kyiv will immediately start ceasefire talks. Published May 19, 2025
Ahead of Trump-Putin call, Russia launches massive drone attack on Ukraine
Russia launched early Sunday its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war between the two countries, Ukrainian officials said. Published May 18, 2025
Two dead after Mexican navy ship on ‘global goodwill’ tour crashes into Brooklyn Bridge
Two crew members died and nearly two dozen others were injured when a Mexican navy ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge late Saturday. Published May 18, 2025
Senate ‘Golden Dome’ caucus announced at Threat Status event; strong support for missile shield czar
A key senator announced Tuesday the formation of a Senate caucus to help advance President Trump's Golden Dome missile shield proposal. Former high-level military officials and defense analysts strongly endorsed the idea of a single commander, widely expected to be Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, vice chief of space operations, to oversee the ambitious undertaking. Published May 13, 2025
Trump weighs appointment of ‘Golden Dome’ czar as missile defense push gains momentum
President Trump is considering the appointment of a high-level Golden Dome czar, said several sources familiar with the deliberations, as momentum grows and stakeholders line up behind the administration's push for a next-generation missile defense shield to protect the entire continental United States. Published May 11, 2025
Special Forces key to U.S. victory in ‘high-end conflict,’ top Pentagon official says
The special operations forces of the 21st century must be tailored to help the U.S. "prevail in a high-end conflict" and designed to thrive in environments that could define an American clash with a powerful adversary such as China, a top Pentagon official said Thursday. Published May 8, 2025
Hegseth: Special Forces amplify message that ‘America is back’
Elite special operations forces are a core component of the nation's ability to project power abroad and protect itself at home, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a fiery speech Tuesday as he decried the "wokeness and weakness" that he said is being eliminated from the military under President Trump. Published May 6, 2025
In era of great power competition, U.S. Special Operations Forces to play key role
U.S. special operations forces are positioned to do more than the high-risk, high-profile counterterrorism missions of the post-9/11 era. Published May 3, 2025
