The Washington Times’ Threat Status lands four Defense Media Award nominations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2026
Threat Status Emerges as the National Security Media Platform of Record, Earns Four Defense Media Awards Nominations Among Record 420 Entries
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Threat Status, the national security journalism and events platform of The Washington Times, today announced a milestone run of editorial recognition, audience expansion and industry engagement that has established the brand as one of the premier destinations for defense, intelligence and national security reporting in the United States.
In the 2026 Defense Media Awards — a global competition that drew a record 420 submissions — Threat Status journalists earned four finalist nominations across five categories, competing alongside the world’s leading defense publications including Janes Defense Weekly, FlightGlobal, The War Zone, DefenseScoop and National Defense Magazine.
The 2026 Defense Media Award Nominations include:
° The John Morrocco Award for Best In-Depth Defense Reporting: Ben Wolfgang, National Security Correspondent
° Best Multimedia Military Submission: Ben Wolfgang, National Security Correspondent, and David Gordon, Head of Creative
° Best Training, Simulation and Readiness: John Seward — host of the On the Ground dispatch series
° Best Technology Submission: John Seward, Defense Technology Reporter
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“The Threat Status multimedia platform was the brainchild of Guy Taylor, and I gave him a lot of runway. The team he has assembled and the national security content they are producing is second to none.”
— Chris Dolan, President, The Washington Times
The 2026 Defense Media Awards dinner will be held October 11 in Washington, D.C. Winners will be announced on the evening of the event.
TWO YEARS OF ACCELERATING GROWTH
Since its launch, Threat Status has grown into a multi-channel platform reaching decision-makers across the executive branch, Department of Defense, Capitol Hill and the defense industrial base. The Threat Status daily newsletter — published Monday through Saturday — has grown to approximately 26,000 opt-in subscribers, with open rates that consistently outperform industry benchmarks for defense and policy publications.
The platform’s product suite now spans the daily newsletter; an award-winning weekly podcast co-hosted by National Security Editor Guy Taylor and correspondent Ben Wolfgang; the Influencers video series, which generates high monthly view counts across digital platforms; and the On the Ground field dispatch series with John T. Seward. All Threat Status content is further amplified through The Washington Times’ owned channels — including its print edition, which is delivered daily to Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, the White House, and federal agencies, and reaches approximately 40,000 print subscribers.
“In the current media landscape of uncertainty, Threat Status, part of the Washington Times, is delivering world-class national security news stories across modern and traditional mediums to inform Washington and beyond with talent that understands this rise of the great power competition.”
— Jason Sickels, Director, Threat Status, The Washington Times
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A LANDMARK EVENTS CALENDAR FOR 2026
Threat Status is maintaining an aggressive presence at the defense industry’s most significant trade events through the end of 2026, providing editorial coverage and partner opportunities at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium (August), AFA Air, Space & Cyber (September) and the AUSA Annual Meeting (October). The platform is also producing its own flagship event: The Golden Era of Space, a half-day forum in Washington, D.C. on November 17, 2026, organized around three tracks — National Security Space, The Future of Launch and the Cislunar Economy — bringing together senior government, military, and industry leaders. The platform also will be represented at the Reagan National Defense Forum in December.
ABOUT THREAT STATUS
Threat Status is the national security journalism and events platform of The Washington Times, providing daily newsletter coverage, podcast programming, video content, field dispatches and live events focused on defense, intelligence and national security. Threat Status reaches senior decision-makers across the Department of Defense, the intelligence community, Capitol Hill, the White House and the defense industrial base.
ABOUT THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The Washington Times is a national daily newspaper headquartered in Washington, D.C. Its print edition is delivered daily to Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, the White House and federal agencies, and reaches approximately 40,000 subscribers. WashingtonTimes.com reaches millions of readers each month.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jason Sickels
Director, Threat Status
Phone: (310) 968-4981
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