Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
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
F/A-18 overboard: Navy crew loses control of fighter during tow, aircraft plunges into Red Sea
A Navy fighter jet was lost in the Red Sea on Monday after going overboard during an apparent mishap aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, Navy officials said. Published April 28, 2025
U.S. has struck more than 800 Houthi targets in Yemen in the past six weeks, Pentagon says
The Pentagon said the U.S. has struck more than 800 Houthi rebel targets over the past six weeks, even as questions swirled Monday about the effectiveness of the Trump administration's military campaign in Yemen. Published April 28, 2025
‘Alarm bells should be going off’: Will the U.S. allow Iran to keep its nuclear program?
"Expert-level" technical talks on a new U.S.-Iran nuclear deal could signal that the Trump administration is willing to move away from its position that Tehran must give up all uranium enrichment capabilities and could allow Tehran to keep its nuclear program operating in some form, some specialists warn. Published April 23, 2025
Ukraine, Russia accuse each other of breaking Easter ceasefire
Ukraine and Russia each accused the other Sunday of breaking a truce, with dozens of reported attacks across Ukraine amid dwindling hopes that the nations can ever agree to a lasting ceasefire. Published April 20, 2025
‘Unconscionable’: Former top aides to Defense Secretary Hegseth blast Pentagon leaks investigation
Three former key Defense Department advisers said they have had their character "slandered" amid an ongoing internal Pentagon investigation into leaks of sensitive information. Published April 20, 2025
U.S., Iran say ‘progress’ made in nuclear talks
U.S. and Iranian officials said they made progress Saturday in the second round of talks between the countries, which are aiming to secure a deal to limit Tehran's nuclear program. Published April 19, 2025
U.S., Iran at odds ahead of nuclear talks: Tehran says uranium enrichment is ‘non-negotiable’
There are clear divisions between the U.S. and Iran ahead of high-stakes nuclear negotiations this weekend. Published April 16, 2025
Top U.S., Iranian officials meet face-to-face; talks to continue next week
Top U.S. and Iranian officials opened a new round of talks Saturday aimed at striking a deal to limit Tehran's nuclear program. Published April 12, 2025
What’s on and what’s off the table in U.S. nuclear talks with Iran?
The Trump administration will enter direct nuclear negotiations with Iran this weekend with a seemingly endless list of high-stakes questions in play: For starters, will the U.S. push for the full dismantlement of Iran's plutonium production and uranium enrichment programs, or accept something short of that? Published April 9, 2025
Iranian president demands ‘equal footing’ with U.S. in any negotiations
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said over the weekend that his country is open to dialogue with the U.S. but only if the two nations are on an "equal footing." Published April 6, 2025
Trump shares video of suspected U.S. strike on Houthis as Pentagon promises ‘24/7’ attacks
Another round of suspected U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's Houthis over the weekend while President Trump shared dramatic video footage that appeared to show dozens of Houthi fighters killed by the American attack. Published April 6, 2025
Trump weighs an economic assault on the ‘one big, juicy target left’ in Russia: Its oil
The U.S. is weighing an all-out economic assault on the lifeblood of Russia's economy, its energy exports, in what analysts say would be a dramatic, potentially high-risk move to influence the Kremlin's decision-making and force an end to its war in Ukraine. Published April 2, 2025
U.S. sends carrier strike group, bombers to Mideast amid growing campaign against Yemen’s Houthis
The Pentagon late Tuesday said it is sending another carrier strike group and additional air assets to the Middle East, moves that come amid the U.S. military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen and strong warnings from the Trump administration to the Houthis' chief patron, Iran. Published April 2, 2025
‘We don’t have the leverage’: U.S. options limited as adversaries expand their nuclear arsenals
China, Russia and North Korea are building up their nuclear arsenals at a frightening pace to intimidate Washington. At the same time, America has little diplomatic leverage to strike new, traditional arms control deals to limit that nuclear expansion. Published April 1, 2025
