Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Air Force tests new anti-drone laser weapon
Drones are one of the 21st century's most dangerous weapons, and the U.S. Air Force soon may have a new weapon to defend against them. Published September 15, 2020
Russia blamed for trash washing up on Alaska shores
Tribal leaders and federal agencies have reported a major rise this summer in the amount of plastics and other garbage washing ashore in the Bering Strait region of Alaska, much of it bearing Russian-language labels. Published September 14, 2020
Afghans, Taliban engage in peace talks amid violence
The Taliban and U.S.-backed Afghan government began peace negotiations this weekend in what looks to be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to end decades of war, but another wave of violence across the country threatened to overshadow the historic meeting. Published September 13, 2020
Afghanistan peace talks marred by gunfights, IEDs
Long-awaited "inter-Afghan" peace talks between the Taliban and the U.S.-backed government in Kabul began this weekend, but continued violence across Afghanistan threatened to overshadow the historic gathering. Published September 13, 2020
Man vs. machine: Pentagon plans 2024 dogfight between human pilot, artificial intelligence
The Pentagon is planning a 2024 showdown between an F-16 piloted by a human and one controlled by artificial intelligence, a man versus machine matchup that military officials believe could represent a key turning point in technological development. Published September 10, 2020
Russia, China, Iran to hold massive joint military exercise
China, Russia, Iran and a handful of other nations will hold massive joint military drills later this month in what Beijing dubs a "comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in a new era." Published September 10, 2020
Donald Trump Iraq, Afghanistan troop drawdown fulfills promise, fuels criticism
President Trump checked off a key campaign promise Wednesday with a major drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq and an even greater reduction in Afghanistan coming soon, but skeptics say the moves reflect U.S. political imperatives and not the chaos and violence both countries are likely to face down the road. Published September 9, 2020
U.S. cutting troops in Iraq from 5,200 to 3,000, Pentagon confirms
The Pentagon's top officer in the Middle East confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. will cut the number of troops in Iraq from 5,200 to 3,000 in the coming weeks. Published September 9, 2020
Al-Shabab threatens to trap U.S. military in Somalia ‘endless war’
The Pentagon's war against terror in Somalia was supposed to begin winding down next year, but the number of American airstrikes against al-Shabab targets keeps increasing and the Trump administration's exit plan seems to have stalled. Published September 8, 2020
Military exchange doubles credit limit for soldiers to buy throwback Army Greens uniform
The Army's retro World War II-era uniforms will be widely available by the end of the year and the military is making it easier for soldiers to buy them. Published September 8, 2020
Amazon refuses to yield to Microsoft on Defense contract
The fight over the Pentagon's $10 billion "war cloud" is now about much more than data. Published September 7, 2020
Navy searching for missing sailor in Arabian Sea
The Navy is searching for a sailor who went missing from the USS Nimitz in the Arabian Sea late Sunday, military officials said. Published September 7, 2020
Pentagon snubs Amazon again, sticks with Microsoft for massive JEDI cloud contract
The Pentagon said Friday it will stick with Microsoft for a massive $10 billion cloud computing contract, snubbing rival Amazon Web Services for a second time. Published September 4, 2020
Joe Biden, Donald Trump take hard line on China
When it comes to what to do about China, the 2020 presidential contest may be more about style than substance. Published September 3, 2020
Pentagon takes first step toward building supersonic Air Force One
Air Force One is already one of the fastest passenger planes in the world -- but the Pentagon wants to make it a lot faster. Published September 2, 2020
Germany says Russia’s Navalny poisoned with nerve agent
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was the victim of an attack and poisoned with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, the German government said Wednesday, citing new test results. Published September 2, 2020
U.S. Navy, allies blow up USS Durham, a decommissioned ship
The U.S. Navy and its allies this week used a decommissioned American ship as target practice during a major Pacific military exercise, launching missiles from the air and sea to demolish and sink the vessel. Published September 1, 2020
U.S. Army to hold live-fire drills 70 miles from Russian border
The U.S. Army will hold live-fire drills about 70 miles from the Russian border over the next 10 days, Pentagon officials said as they announced another show of force on Moscow's doorstep. Published August 31, 2020
More troops say they’ll vote for Biden than Trump: poll
More active-duty U.S. troops say they'll vote for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden than President Trump in the November election, a new poll shows, continuing a steady decline in the commander in chief's favorability ratings among service members. Published August 31, 2020
Clash with Russians in Syria renews debate on U.S. mission
U.S. troops' confrontation with Russian forces in Syria last week has raised fresh questions about the role of U.S. forces in Syria, exactly what the administration hopes to achieve, and what metrics U.S. commanders will use to finally declare victory and follow through on the president's repeatedly expressed determination to bring all American troops home. Published August 30, 2020
