Stan R. Mitchell's Blog, page 20

Episode 2-9-23

In this episode, we’ll be discussing several topics, that I think will really interest you, and that I almost guarantee you haven’t seen in the news! This includes:Timestamp 18:48. The earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and the much larger thing that should remind all Americans of. Timestamp 25:11. China flew a balloon over the United States. You may have heard about it. But here are quite a few things you probably didn’t know about that situation.Timestamp 49:03. Three quick news items regarding Ukraine and the Russian war, that you probably didn’t hear about. One of these involves a deeper, political angle that I think is starting to emerge and what that might mean for the 2024 Presidential elections here in America. This isn’t something I’ve seen anywhere else, and I’m wondering if you might agree — or disagree — with my analysis of this. Timestamp 54:02. There have been two ongoing U.S. military operations that you’ve probably forgotten about. I’ll share links to them in the notes below.Timestamp: 57:35. Finally, we’ll cover plenty of motivation and wisdom. Timestamp: 1:14:58. About me, my hope for the country (and for those listening), and about the 11 books I’ve written.

Hey guys,

Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

Subscribe now

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do three things:

Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

And I always make sure at the end of the episode to share plenty of motivation and wisdom, because I want to do my small part to help encourage you and lift you up. Life is certainly hard, and I think it’s fair to say all of us need all the motivation and encouragement that we can possibly get.

Subscribe now

Again, you should listen to it from the player above, or from whatever podcast you listen to it from.

And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time.

Subscribe now

Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).

Why paid subscriptions help...

Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition. Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And what follows are some of the news reports/source notes that I quote from in the podcast, as well as the motivation and wisdom links I read.

Selected source notes for the podcast.

I have completed Nick Woods 5!

Writing has often been called the loneliest profession in the world, and it's absolutely true.

Your victories are birthed in private, and they're often agonizing, painful, and not as easy as they make it out in the movies.

But three years after starting Nick Woods 5 -- and seven years since Nick Woods 4 (Nigerian Terror) dropped — I have FINALLY completed this beast.

I'll still have to deal with edits, the cover, and a dozen other small tasks, but that's all easy gravy.

I have finally slain this beast after so many starts and stops and restarts and massive amounts of deletions.

Nick Woods rides again.

Shield, Safeguard, and Shelter (better known as S3) goes from being decommissioned to evolving into something smaller, with just Nick Woods, Red, and Allen Green.

#NickWoods #S3

And here is the tweet I reference in the podcast that so inspired me to keep pushing on this project.

@StanRMitchell anymore Nick Woods in the future? Just blew through the four books in 18 days and now I need more Nick and S3!","username":"ande9547","name":"Todd Anderson","date":"Sun Dec 13 04:08:10 +0000 2020","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":0,"like_count":1,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Todd Anderson @ande9547@StanRMitchell anymore Nick Woods in the future? Just blew through the four books in 18 days and now I need more Nick and S3!4:08 AM ∙ Dec 13, 2020

Now go inspire and help uplift others, as well.

Hope fading as deaths in Turkey, Syria quake pass 11,000 China releases a balloon over America and all hysteria breaks out here

(Notes on the points I make in the podcast.)

William "Balloon Guy" Kim @TheKimulationIf they get hit, they don't pop like a party balloon. Rather they slowly leak coolant and can remain in the air for days. Once F-18s fired 1000 20mm rounds into a rogue weather balloon and it didn't come down for six days. 5/103:43 AM ∙ Jul 6, 2022902Likes130RetweetsWilliam "Balloon Guy" Kim @TheKimulationIf a balloon is found they're still not easy to take out. Balloons are generally be cheaper than SAMs that can reach such high altitudes. It's also difficult to distinguish between a slow-moving balloon and chaff. 4/103:43 AM ∙ Jul 6, 2022529Likes36RetweetsMatt Seyler @MattSeylerChinese surveillance balloon had propellers and a rudder to help it speed up, slow down, loiter and steer -- though the maneuverability of the large craft within the jet stream was limited, according to NSC spox John Kirby just now.5:46 PM ∙ Feb 6, 2023222Likes54RetweetsJack Detsch @JackDetschNEW: Chinese spy balloon shot down by U.S. F-22 fighter jets created a debris field 1,500 meters by 1,500 meters, size of 15 football fields: PentagonU.S.S. Carter Hall landing ship has been collecting debris, and the military is using side scan sonar to locate sunken debris.6:08 PM ∙ Feb 6, 2023197Likes56Retweets

Thread I quote from.

@GOP is debating on condemning @POTUS actions on the China Balloon at the SOTU. If they do condemn, after the gang of eight and then other members it will only show how unserious they are about national security.\n\nWhy? A short 🧵 1/10 ","username":"MarkHertling","name":"MarkHertling","date":"Tue Feb 07 01:10:42 +0000 2023","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{"full_text":"CNN's @NatashaBertrand has new details from the Pentagon about the suspected Chinese spy balloon and @mkraju reports House Republicans are calling for a resolution criticizing Biden for his handling of the situation https://t.co/ZXRKElukOu","u... Lead CNN"},"retweet_count":1152,"like_count":5383,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">MarkHertling @MarkHertlingThe @GOP is debating on condemning @POTUS actions on the China Balloon at the SOTU. If they do condemn, after the gang of eight and then other members it will only show how unserious they are about national security.Why? A short 🧵 1/10 The Lead CNN @TheLeadCNNCNN's @NatashaBertrand has new details from the Pentagon about the suspected Chinese spy balloon and @mkraju reports House Republicans are calling for a resolution criticizing Biden for his handling of the situation https://t.co/ZXRKElukOu1:10 AM ∙ Feb 7, 20235,383Likes1,152Retweets

Video I quote from:

gzeromedia.com/quick-take/ @gzeromedia ","username":"ianbremmer","name":"ian bremmer","date":"Mon Feb 06 23:30:09 +0000 2023","photos":[{"img_url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/upload/...ian bremmer @ianbremmerspy balloon’s flight v ill-timedbut it’ll blow over : )gzeromedia.com/quick-take/ @gzeromedia 11:30 PM ∙ Feb 6, 202367Likes8RetweetsUkraine/Russia news Norway looks to donate $7.3 billion in aid to Ukraine Biden Calls Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine a ‘Test for the Ages’

“Putin’s invasion has been a test for the ages, a test for America, a test for the world,” Biden said Tuesday night in his State of the Union address to Congress. “Such a defense matters to us because it keeps the peace and prevents open season” for “would-be aggressors to threaten our security and prosperity.”

With Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, watching from the gallery, Biden said the US was united in its support for Ukraine almost a year after Russia’s invasion began, even as some Republican lawmakers have called for scaling back assistance or applying stricter oversight that could slow the distribution of weapons and aid. 

Zelenskyy tells UK ‘freedom will win,’ pushes for warplanes

The visit comes as Sunak announced that Britain will train Ukrainian pilots on “NATO-standard fighter jets.” Ukraine has urged its allies to send jets, though the U.K. says it’s not practical to provide the Ukrainian military with British warplanes.

Operations happening that aren’t making the news Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Somalia Operation Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III @SecDefI’m grateful to our extraordinary service members & our intel & interagency partners for their support to this successful CT operation. (1/2) defense.govStatement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Somalia OperationOn orders from the president, the U.S. military conducted an assault operation in northern Somalia that resulted in the death of a number of ISIS members, including Bilal-al-Sudani, an ISIS leader in11:08 PM ∙ Jan 26, 2023542Likes137Retweets US troops conducted 313 missions and killed 686 ISIS fighters in 2022 Task & Purpose @TaskandPurposeUS troops conducted 313 missions and killed 686 ISIS fighters in 2022 bit.lyUS troops conducted 313 missions and killed 686 ISIS fighters in 2022U.S. and partner forces also took 374 suspected ISIS militants prisoner in 2022.2:30 AM ∙ Dec 30, 202250Likes5RetweetsMotivation and Wisdom:

You know, just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. And we all know that opportunities don't happen, you create them.

So, I want to make sure I do my best to feed you mentally. As you’ve probably heard, people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” That was said by the great Zig Ziglar, and I’ve found it to be true for sure.

Without further delay, let’s just begin.

Inspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Never give up your desire to be what you want to be."3:04 PM ∙ Feb 2, 20231,007Likes219RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotBe real. Be kind. Be humble.4:01 AM ∙ Feb 6, 202366Likes25RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyDon't stress. Do your best. Forget the rest.8:23 PM ∙ Feb 6, 202366Likes18RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qot"Don't ever lose hope."4:01 PM ∙ Feb 5, 202377Likes23Retweets@_SuccessMinded_ Always count your blessings, not your problems.","username":"SeffSaid","name":"Inspirational Quotes","date":"Thu Feb 02 12:35:30 +0000 2023","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":14,"like_count":73,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Inspirational Quotes @SeffSaid@_SuccessMinded_ Always count your blessings, not your problems.12:35 PM ∙ Feb 2, 202373Likes14RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyOnce you’ve matured you realize silence is more important than proving a point.6:51 AM ∙ Feb 6, 2023861Likes206RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotYou become what you believe.10:07 AM ∙ Feb 5, 202364Likes17RetweetsDaily Dose of Psychology @PsychologyDose_Seek respect, not attention. It lasts longer.9:26 AM ∙ Feb 1, 2023480Likes85RetweetsSelf-care @selfcare_tiApologizing doesn't always mean you're wrong and the other person is right. It means you value your relationship more than your ego.9:26 AM ∙ Feb 1, 2023438Likes72RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyEverything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.7:42 PM ∙ Feb 4, 2023650Likes164RetweetsDaily Dose of Psychology @PsychologyDose_"Happy people are:1. Humble.2. Healthy eaters.3 Optimistic.4. Risk takers.5. Generous.6 . Not arrogant.7. Collaborative.8. Honest."7:20 PM ∙ Feb 6, 202326Likes7RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotBeing too nice breaks you.4:06 PM ∙ Jan 30, 202365Likes16RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful." - Carl Jung8:21 PM ∙ Feb 6, 202372Likes16RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyNever judge someone without knowing the whole story. You may think you understand, but you don't.6:49 AM ∙ Feb 4, 2023947Likes247RetweetsDaily Dose of Psychology @PsychologyDose_If you're looking for a happy ending and can't seem to find one, maybe it's time to start looking for a new beginning.5:20 PM ∙ Feb 6, 202333Likes6RetweetsLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesDon’t judge people on who they used to be. Allow them to be who they are now.3:01 AM ∙ Feb 5, 202396Likes26RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_Be disciplined. There is no easy way.11:23 AM ∙ Feb 6, 2023450Likes83RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyA small talk can actually fix a lot.8:13 PM ∙ Feb 2, 2023634Likes141RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"10 Things To Give Up Now:1. Doubting yourself2. Negative thinking3. Fear of failure4. Destructive relationships5. Gossiping6. Criticising yourself and others7. Anger8. Laziness9. Procrastination10. People pleasing"1:43 AM ∙ Feb 5, 2023414Likes135RetweetsLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesNot prioritizing tasks leaves us open for others to control our tasks.3:01 PM ∙ Feb 2, 202322Likes1RetweetInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."5:47 PM ∙ Feb 4, 2023920Likes202RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_Stay focused and put in the work. The rewards will come.10:30 AM ∙ Jan 31, 20231,019Likes258RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Never give up on something you believe in."5:32 AM ∙ Feb 3, 20231,979Likes490RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Keep things simple. Simple is powerful."5:00 AM ∙ Jan 30, 20231,312Likes310RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Enjoy the little things in life."11:15 PM ∙ Dec 23, 20221,147Likes326RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be loyal to your future, not your past."12:30 PM ∙ Jan 26, 20231,023Likes211Retweets

And, I always like to end with this one:

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people."2:15 AM ∙ Aug 21, 20221,398Likes354Retweets

And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.

If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.

The View from the Front is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support this work and make it sustainable is with a paid subscription. But at the same time, free ones are appreciated, too!

Subscribe now

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Please don’t name-call the other side. They are mothers and fathers and folks not much different than you.🇺🇸🇺🇸

#WW2 ","username":"WWIIpix","name":"WWII Pictures","date":"Wed Nov 03 13:28:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FDRbxV...WWII Pictures @WWIIpixTwo US soldiers armed with an M1917 Browning machine gun and M3 Grease Gun in Normandy, summer 1944. #WW2 1:28 PM ∙ Nov 3, 2021659Likes57Retweets

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Also, if you have a dream kicking around in the back of your mind? Go after it. If you have that friend or family member that you know you should reach out to? Reach out to them.

Finally, and this especially goes to all my awesome military folks listening out there, if you need help, reach out to someone. Please. Call that friend or family member. Do it for us all. We’ve already lost too many of the greatest folks that this country has produced to suicide. So I’m asking you to be brave once more, and show some vulnerability. Take a deep breath, breathe, and call a friend or family member or someone who can help.

I appreciate each and every one of you. Every tweet, every share, every email, etc. I can’t even tell you how much those mean to me, and I love each and every one of you.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Thanks again, everyone! You guys are the best. As always, don’t forget to check out my books. You can find all 11 of them on Amazon.

And with that, I’m out.

Subscribe now

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational/biography book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.

Episode 2-2-23

In this episode, we’ll be discussing several topics, that I think will really interest you, and that I almost guarantee you haven’t seen in the news! This includes:Timestamp: 5:52. Some good news for America, that I wanted to share.Timestamp: 9:45. I was recently interviewed on the That’s Criminal Podcast, by fomer FBI Agent and Author John Stamp. You can find that interview here: https://t.co/9TTDmWTacr. Timestamp: 11:30. We’ll start off with Ukraine won’t get F-16s from America, Biden says. But some folks in the Pentagon are skeptical about this and see a path forward. I’ll talk about this and how it relates to the so-called “Deep State,” and hopefully dispel a myth or two about this.Timestamp: 21:12. Israel launched a drone strike against an Iranian facility. The damage seems to be pretty severe, and I’ll explain one big reason for why that’s significant.Timestamp: 30:46. Afghanistan’s wounds spill over into Pakistan.Timestamp: 53:43. Finally, we’ll cover plenty of motivation and wisdom.Timestamp: 1:11.24. About me, my hope for the country (and for those listening), and about the 11 books I’ve written.

Hey guys,

Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

Subscribe now

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do three things:

Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

And I always make sure at the end of the episode to share plenty of motivation and wisdom, because I want to do my small part to help encourage you and lift you up. Life is certainly hard, and I think it’s fair to say all of us need all the motivation and encouragement that we can possibly get.

Subscribe now

Again, you should listen to it from the player above, or from whatever podcast you listen to it from.

And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time.

Subscribe now

Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).

Why paid subscriptions help...

Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition. Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And what follows are some of the news reports/source notes that I quote from in the podcast, as well as the motivation and wisdom links I read.

Selected source notes for the podcast.

Some good news for America:ian bremmer @ianbremmerlargest political identity in the us?independents (well done, my fellow non-party folk) 7:07 PM ∙ Jan 13, 20231,029Likes151RetweetsSome personal news I wanted to share!

Had a GREAT interview with John Stamp Author Page. We covered so much, including...

Want to hear about my time in the Marines? The background for what kicked off the Nick Woods story/series? And what it feels like to be on top -- and at the bottom -- as an author? 

In addition to all of that, I name the absolute book you must read if you want to be an author, while also explaining my writing process.

And then I also talk about my mystery/detective book Danny Acuff (series starts with book 1 Take Down), as well as my podcast The View from the Front and what I’m trying to achieve with that.

That and so much more is in this incredible interview done by John Stamp, who served as a former Special Agent with the FBI and NCIS, and who’s written seven novels himself!

Link to interview: That’s Criminal Podcast Ukraine/Russia news:The Washington Post @washingtonpostPresident Biden’s refusal to fulfill Ukraine’s request for F-16 jets has been greeted with skepticism at the Pentagon, where some officials foresee eventual approval or a scenario where American allies provide the aircraft with administration approval. wapo.stBiden’s ‘no’ on F-16s for Ukraine met with skepticism in PentagonThe administration has exhibited a pattern of rejecting similar pleas from the government in Kyiv only to relent later.2:05 AM ∙ Feb 1, 2023132Likes45RetweetsIsrael/Iran news:@SangerNYT @farnazfassihi ","username":"ronenbergman","name":"Ronen Bergman","date":"Mon Jan 30 02:01:25 +0000 2023","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":105,"like_count":226,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/29/wo... Launched Drone Attack on Iranian Facility, Officials Say","description":"While the target’s purpose is unclear, the city of Isfahan is a major center of Iranian missile production, research and development.","domain":"nytimes.com"},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Ronen Bergman @ronenbergmanA drone attack on an Iranian military facility in Isfahan was the work of the Mossad. U.S. officials also said the strike was prompted by Israel’s concerns about own security, not the potential Iranian missile exports to Russia.@SangerNYT @farnazfassihi nytimes.comIsrael Launched Drone Attack on Iranian Facility, Officials SayWhile the target’s purpose is unclear, the city of Isfahan is a major center of Iranian missile production, research and development.2:01 AM ∙ Jan 30, 2023226Likes105Retweets

Israel appears to have been behind drone strike on Iran factory, U.S. official says

Jason Jay Smart @officejjsmartIran 🇮🇷 is being attacked. A number of weapons / drones factories have been struck.Iranian 🇮🇷 Telegram indicates that Israeli 🇮🇱 Air Force has been seen over multiple Iranian cities.Seems Russia’s 🇷🇺 drone supplier, to attack Ukraine 🇺🇦, may be going out of business!!!👍👍👍 11:44 PM ∙ Jan 28, 202320,919Likes4,310RetweetsAfghanistan/Pakistan news:Shabnam Nasimi @NasimiShabnamTaliban-ruled Afghanistan is hell on earth. A broken economy with no jobs. 97% of the population is starving. And all foreign aid groups have stopped humanitarian work.Women begging outside bakeries for bread. What have the people of Afghanistan done to deserve this? 10:39 PM ∙ Jan 28, 20236,840Likes2,656RetweetsCNN International @cnniSeveral suspects arrested over suicide bomb blast at a mosque in Pakistan that killed more than 100 people, authorities say cnn.itSuspects arrested in fatal Pakistan mosque suicide attack that left over 100 dead | CNNSeveral suspects have been arrested in connection with Monday’s suicide bomb blast in a mosque in Pakistan’s northern city of Peshawar that killed more than 100 people.10:13 AM ∙ Feb 1, 202341Likes21RetweetsThe View from the Front by Stan R. Mitchell Episode 12-15-22Listen now (65 min) | Hey guys, Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here. For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist. Every week, I primarily do two things… Listen now2 months ago · Stan R. Mitchell

Timestamp was 27:30 on the episode from two months ago.

Motivation and Wisdom:

You know, just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. And we all know that opportunities don't happen, you create them.

So, I want to make sure I do my best to feed you mentally. As you’ve probably heard, people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” That was said by the great Zig Ziglar, and I’ve found it to be true for sure.

Without further delay, let’s just begin.

Daily Dose of Psychology @PsychologyDose_Nobody cares. Work harder.3:35 PM ∙ Jan 30, 2023615Likes153Retweets@_SuccessMinded_ The harder the journey, The better the destination.","username":"ML_Philosophy","name":"Moral Philosophy","date":"Mon Jan 30 10:37:18 +0000 2023","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":8,"like_count":26,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Moral Philosophy @ML_Philosophy@_SuccessMinded_ The harder the journey, The better the destination.10:37 AM ∙ Jan 30, 202326Likes8Retweets@_SuccessMinded_ Do what is hard now and tomorrow will be easy. Do what is easy and tomorrow will be hard.","username":"Groomforwealth","name":"CREATING WEALTH","date":"Mon Jan 30 10:38:12 +0000 2023","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":0,"like_count":3,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">CREATING WEALTH @Groomforwealth@_SuccessMinded_ Do what is hard now and tomorrow will be easy. Do what is easy and tomorrow will be hard.10:38 AM ∙ Jan 30, 2023Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_The harder you grind, the luckier you become.10:30 AM ∙ Jan 30, 20231,105Likes250RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"One thing’s for sure, if you don’t play, you don’t win."11:19 AM ∙ Jan 30, 2023664Likes140Retweets#success #advice","username":"ysuccess_quotes","name":"Success Quotes","date":"Sun Jan 29 22:01:02 +0000 2023","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":1,"like_count":4,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Success Quotes @ysuccess_quotesAll doubt, whether from myself or others, is the enemy of my dreams and goals. i have zero tolerance for doubt.–Vic Stah Milien #success #advice10:01 PM ∙ Jan 29, 20234Likes1RetweetSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Stay away from people that ruin your peace."10:30 PM ∙ Jan 28, 20231,417Likes376RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"What comes easy, won't last. What lasts, won't come easy."1:03 PM ∙ Jan 28, 20231,254Likes268RetweetsＷ 𝗜 𝗦 𝗘 𝗖 𝗢 𝗡 𝗡 𝗘 𝗖 𝗧 𝗢 𝗥 ™ 💬 @wiseconnectorreminder 10:50 PM ∙ Jan 26, 20234,335Likes1,097RetweetsInspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_Strength grows in the moments when you think you can't go on but you keep going anyway.2:20 AM ∙ Jan 27, 2023128Likes35RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"It’s not over when you lose it’s over when you quit."7:19 AM ∙ Jan 26, 20231,298Likes310Retweets@_SuccessMinded_ Luck is exactly happens when preparation meets opportunity.","username":"DividendIncome_","name":"Dividends Growth Hustler","date":"Mon Jan 30 11:23:21 +0000 2023","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":0,"like_count":2,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Dividends Growth Hustler @DividendIncome_@_SuccessMinded_ Luck is exactly happens when preparation meets opportunity.11:23 AM ∙ Jan 30, 2023Self-care @selfcare_tiForgiving your old self is self-care.3:35 PM ∙ Jan 30, 2023242Likes65Retweets

And, I always like to end with this one:

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people."2:15 AM ∙ Aug 21, 20221,398Likes354Retweets

And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.

If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.

The View from the Front is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support this work and make it sustainable is with a paid subscription. But at the same time, free ones are appreciated, too!

Subscribe now

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Please don’t name-call the other side. They are mothers and fathers and folks not much different than you.🇺🇸🇺🇸

#WW2 ","username":"WWIIpix","name":"WWII Pictures","date":"Wed Nov 03 13:28:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FDRbxV...WWII Pictures @WWIIpixTwo US soldiers armed with an M1917 Browning machine gun and M3 Grease Gun in Normandy, summer 1944. #WW2 1:28 PM ∙ Nov 3, 2021659Likes57Retweets

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Also, if you have a dream kicking around in the back of your mind? Go after it. If you have that friend or family member that you know you should reach out to? Reach out to them.

Finally, and this especially goes to all my awesome military folks listening out there, if you need help, reach out to someone. Please. Call that friend or family member. Do it for us all. We’ve already lost too many of the greatest folks that this country has produced to suicide. So I’m asking you to be brave once more, and show some vulnerability. Take a deep breath, breathe, and call a friend or family member or someone who can help.

I appreciate each and every one of you. Every tweet, every share, every email, etc. I can’t even tell you how much those mean to me, and I love each and every one of you.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Thanks again, everyone! You guys are the best. As always, don’t forget to check out my books. You can find all 11 of them on Amazon.

And with that, I’m out.

Subscribe now

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational/biography book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.

Episode 1-26-23

In this episode, we’ll be discussing several topics, that I think will really interest you, and that I almost guarantee you haven’t seen in the news! This includes:Timestamp: 21:10. Ukraine is finally getting tanks, both Abrams from America and Leopards from Germany. How many are they likely getting in total. What effect will it have? And why some have irked me with their reaction to the news.Timestamp 29:10. A reminder about why now is not the time for Ukraine to begin peace talks, which again has popped up in the news. Timestamp 34:22. Why I think Ukraine is getting pushed back some in the East, in the Donbas region. Timestamp 40:58. I talk about China, and how their aggressive actions are turning even the massive (mostly peaceful) country of India against them.Timestamp 49:08. An update on the revolution happening in Iran, and how it’s not stopping, and what that means for the country. Timestamp 57:03. We’ll also cover two items in tech news and how that affects modern warfare, and both of those items involve drones, so I think you’ll find that super interesting. Timestamp 1:05. Finally, we’ll cover plenty of motivation and wisdom. Timestamp 1:12. About me, my hope for the country (and for those listening), and about the 11 books I’ve written.

Hey guys,

Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

Subscribe now

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do three things:

Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

And I always make sure at the end of the episode to share plenty of motivation and wisdom, because I want to do my small part to help encourage you and lift you up. Life is certainly hard, and I think it’s fair to say all of us need all the motivation and encouragement that we can possibly get.

Subscribe now

Again, you should listen to it from the player above, or from whatever podcast you listen to it from.

And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time.

Subscribe now

Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).

Why paid subscriptions help...

Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition. Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And what follows are some of the news reports/source notes that I quote from in the podcast, as well as the motivation and wisdom links I read.

Selected source notes for the podcast.

U.S. to send Ukraine more advanced Abrams tanks — but no secret armor

Visegrád 24 @visegrad24USA- 30 AbramsUK- 14 Challenger 2sNetherlands - 18 LeopardsPoland - 14 LeopardsGermany - 14 LeopardsNorway - 8 LeopardsFinland - ?Spain - ? Canada- ?Portugal - ? Denmark - ?France - ?At least 96 tanks going but probably around 130-140 in total in the first batch. 10:16 PM ∙ Jan 24, 20235,182Likes792Retweets

Story link: Negotiations? Putin’s word in peace talks would be worthless

China news:Foreign Policy @ForeignPolicyChina’s rise in recent years has provoked a change in India’s strategic threat calculations—a shift now reflected in public sentiment.Our latest South Asia Brief: foreignpolicy.comChina Has Become India’s Greatest ThreatA new poll reveals shifting perspectives as Beijing challenges New Delhi on several fronts.9:00 PM ∙ Jan 22, 202313Likes9Retweets

Story link: India Sees China as Greatest Threat.

China’s rise in recent years has provoked a change in India’s strategic threat calculations—a shift now reflected in public sentiment. This week, a Morning Consult poll revealed that Indians see China as India’s “greatest military threat.” Forty-three percent of respondents named China, while only 13 percent cited Pakistan, India’s long-standing rival. Strikingly, 22 percent of respondents said the United States was India’s greatest threat.

The survey, based on interviews with 1,000 Indian adults last October, reflects a shift in Indian perspectives—including among Indian officials—on the country’s long-term strategic challenges. Since its independence, India has fought three full-scale conflicts and one limited war with Pakistan, and bilateral relations remain tense. But growing threats from China, coupled with recent Indian foreign-policy moves, show that New Delhi’s focus has shifted toward Beijing.

Iran news:POLITICO @politicoProtests are not new in Iran. But this time is different — an unprecedented revolution led by women, with support from men, encompassing a wide variety of grievances. It's a spontaneous civil rights movement made up of people at their wit’s end. politico.comThe Women of Iran Are Not Backing DownThe protest movement led by Persian women seeks to unravel the Iranian regime’s oppression.6:12 PM ∙ Jan 22, 202377Likes36Retweets

(Story link: The Women of Iran Are Not Backing Down.)

From the story:

Protests are not a new phenomenon in Iran. They’ve flared up over the years — over election fraud, economic woes, civil liberties. But this time is different — an unprecedented revolution led by women, with support from men, encompassing a wide variety of grievances, all laid out in the heart-wrenching Persian lyrics of Shervin Hajipour’s song “Baraye,” or “Because of.” It’s become the anthem of the revolution, striking such a nerve around the world that backlash after Hajipour’s arrest led to his release.

This is a spontaneous civil rights movement made up of people at their wit’s end — unable to afford basic life necessities while forced to adhere to the oppressive rules of a religious autocracy that promised to take care of its people. What’s more dangerous than a mob with nothing to lose? See: The French Revolution.

Tech news:Trent Telenko @TrentTelenkoIt appears that loitering munition nets actually work.👀 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝔇𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱 @TheDeadDistrictA ZALA "Lancet-3" loitering munition was catched by fence net, which used as protective net and save a Krab SPH of the Ukrainian Army.#Ukraine #Krab #Lancet https://t.co/97dKLbV7W711:00 PM ∙ Jan 22, 2023185Likes17RetweetsDefense One @DefenseOneIs This New Microwave Weapon the Answer to Iranian Drones? | Army awards $66 million to develop weapon that can fry drone bits in the air. buff.lyIs This New Microwave Weapon the Answer to Iranian Drones?Army awards $66 million to develop weapon that can fry drone bits in the air.9:15 PM ∙ Jan 24, 202311Likes9Retweets

Story link: Is This New Microwave Weapon the Answer to Iranian Drones?

Russia’s frequent drone attacks on Ukraine mirror a challenge that is growing for the U.S. military in almost every operational environment: How do you defeat drone swarms without wasting expensive surface-to-air missiles? The U.S. Army is working with a California company to develop microwave weapons that can fry airborne electronics 

On Monday, counter-drone company Epirus announced that they had won a $66 million prototyping contract from the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office for its experimental Leonidas counterdrone microwave weapon. The Army will “transition Leonidas into a future program of record after successful demonstration of the prototypes,” according to the company’s statement. 

Motivation and Wisdom:

You know, just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. And we all know that opportunities don't happen, you create them.

So, I want to make sure I do my best to feed you mentally. As you’ve probably heard, people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” That was said by the great Zig Ziglar, and I’ve found it to be true for sure.

Without further delay, let’s just begin.

Motivational Quotes @motivation_qot"Don't give up, the beginning is always the hardest."4:00 AM ∙ Jan 23, 202376Likes18RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Do the right thing, even when no one is watching."10:30 PM ∙ Jan 22, 20231,066Likes287RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen."2:44 AM ∙ Jan 23, 20231,198Likes270RetweetsWealth Director @wealth_directorYour private hard work will turn into public success.9:00 AM ∙ Jan 23, 2023533Likes122RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Good things are going to happen. Have faith and be positive."3:51 AM ∙ Jan 22, 20231,856Likes418RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation” - Plato11:34 PM ∙ Jan 22, 2023282Likes55RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyPeople only bring up your past when they are intimidated by your present.6:35 AM ∙ Jan 17, 2023680Likes185RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Bad news is: you cannot make people like, love, understand, validate, accept or be nice to you. Good news is: it doesn't matter."12:25 PM ∙ Jan 18, 20231,792Likes503RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"Sometimes even to live is an act of courage."- Seneca6:10 PM ∙ Jan 22, 2023459Likes91RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyDear Past, thank you for your lessons. Dear Future, I'm ready. Dear God, thank you for another chance.6:30 AM ∙ Jan 19, 2023507Likes123RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"Kill them with success and bury them with a smile." - Leonardo DiCaprio12:55 AM ∙ Jan 19, 2023854Likes161RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivationalHappy peeps 12:00 AM ∙ Jan 11, 20231,711Likes348RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyOnce you get your mindset right, the world will start cooperating.7:31 PM ∙ Jan 21, 2023833Likes201RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction."1:11 AM ∙ Jan 23, 2023467Likes106RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"You learn a lot by being silent."12:30 PM ∙ Dec 28, 20221,793Likes404RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keySmall people belittle others. Great people make others feel they too can become great.6:36 AM ∙ Jan 22, 2023692Likes229RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen."2:44 AM ∙ Jan 23, 20231,204Likes271RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"If you want something, work for it."8:20 AM ∙ Dec 24, 20221,072Likes238RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Good things are going to happen. Have faith and be positive."3:51 AM ∙ Jan 22, 20231,858Likes420RetweetsMind Haste ⚡️ @MindHasteSuccess takes time, so don't give up.8:22 AM ∙ Jan 23, 20231,539Likes451RetweetsMathieu Sylvain @matsylvnResults speak louder than words ever will.3:00 PM ∙ Jan 22, 2023110Likes30Retweets

And, I always like to end with this one:

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people."2:15 AM ∙ Aug 21, 20221,398Likes354Retweets

And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.

If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.

The View from the Front is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support this work and make it sustainable is with a paid subscription. But at the same time, free ones are appreciated, too!

Subscribe now

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Please don’t name-call the other side. They are mothers and fathers and folks not much different than you.🇺🇸🇺🇸

#WW2 ","username":"WWIIpix","name":"WWII Pictures","date":"Wed Nov 03 13:28:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FDRbxV...WWII Pictures @WWIIpixTwo US soldiers armed with an M1917 Browning machine gun and M3 Grease Gun in Normandy, summer 1944. #WW2 1:28 PM ∙ Nov 3, 2021659Likes57Retweets

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Also, if you have a dream kicking around in the back of your mind? Go after it. If you have that friend or family member that you know you should reach out to? Reach out to them.

Finally, and this especially goes to all my awesome military folks listening out there, if you need help, reach out to someone. Please. Call that friend or family member. Do it for us all. We’ve already lost too many of the greatest folks that this country has produced to suicide. So I’m asking you to be brave once more, and show some vulnerability. Take a deep breath, breathe, and call a friend or family member or someone who can help.

I appreciate each and every one of you. Every tweet, every share, every email, etc. I can’t even tell you how much those mean to me, and I love each and every one of you.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Thanks again, everyone! You guys are the best. As always, don’t forget to check out my books. You can find all 11 of them on Amazon.

And with that, I’m out.

Subscribe now

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational/biography book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.

Episode 1-19-23

Hey guys,

Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

Subscribe now

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do three things:

Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

And I always make sure at the end of the episode to share plenty of motivation and wisdom, because I want to do my small part to help encourage you and lift you up. Life is certainly hard, and I think it’s fair to say all of us need all the motivation and encouragement that we can possibly get.

Subscribe now

In this episode, we’ll be discussing several topics, that I think will really interest you, and that I almost guarantee you haven’t seen in the news! This includes:

Plenty of news about the Ukraine/Russia conflict, we’ll debunk the top five myths about the Russian invasion, we’ll cover a new defense treaty that Japan signed with Britain (as well as some of the behind-the-door reasons that Japan is stepping out of its passive state), and then we’ll cover two bits of cool tech news: lasers on ships and an unmanned fleet of 100 U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf region.

Finally, we’ll cover plenty of motivation and wisdom, as we all do.

Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time.

Subscribe now

Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).

Why paid subscriptions help...

Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition. Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And what follows are some of the news reports/source notes that I quote from in the podcast, as well as the motivation and wisdom links I read.

Selected source notes for the podcast.

Ukraine/Russia news: UK defence minister sets out further military aid package to Ukraine Status-6 @Archer83Able1/2UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced a new military aid package for Ukraine:- 14 Challenger 2 tanks with armored recovery and repair vehicles;- 8 AS90 155mm self-propelled howitzers;- Hundreds more armoured and protective vehicles including Bulldog APCs. 5:10 PM ∙ Jan 16, 2023551Likes107RetweetsStatus-6 @Archer83Able2/2- A manoeuvre support package including minefield breaching and bridging capabilities;- Dozens more UAVs for artillery support;- Hundreds more "sophisticated missiles";- A package of spares to refurbish up to 100 Ukrainian tanks and IFVs.reuters.comUK defence minister sets out further military aid package to UkraineBritain’s defence minister Ben Wallace on Monday outlined further military support for Ukraine, confirming the supply of 14 Challenger 2 tanks and setting out a number of other details.5:10 PM ∙ Jan 16, 2023170Likes25Retweets Moscow to mobilize 500,000 new conscripts, Kyiv military intelligence says

Ukrainian intelligence officials are warning that the Kremlin plans a new mobilization wave for up to 500,000 men to fight in Ukraine starting in mid-January.

The new conscription drive, which would be larger than last autumn’s Russian draft of 300,000, would include a push in big cities, including some strategic industrial centers in Russia, Andriy Cherniak, an official with the Main Military Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, told POLITICO on Saturday.  

…

“This time the Kremlin will mobilize residents of big cities, including the strategic industries centers all over Russia,” Cherniak said. “This will have a very negative impact on the already suffering Russian economy.”

Russia plans to mobilize 500,000 soldiers in days. If they don't deliver victory, then 'Putin will collapse,' says Ukrainian spy chief. Russia’s new commander reflects Putin’s plan to push for victory in Ukraine

The leadership changes, whatever their true purpose, highlight that Putin never expected to be in such a disastrous situation. He is now nearly a year into an invasion that some Russian commentators predicted would end successfully within days, with victorious Russian troops parading through Kyiv.

…

“Putin loves to cut the legs out from under whoever is tallest at the moment, and I think this is a part of that,” McKew said in an interview. “It is a signal that these internal power struggles that everybody has been microanalyzing and that we focus on so much are under control.”

Whatever the internal machinations, one thing remains clear: The war is not going to plan. McKew said the reshuffling reflected preparation for new offensives. “I think it signals an escalation, of commitment to advancing and sustaining the war, which no one’s really been that certain of from the Russian side, because they were planning on winning so quickly,” McKew said.

Top Five Russian Myths Debunked China/Taiwan news: A menacing Russia and China pull Japan out of its past

Why is Japan taking this step toward remilitarization? One galvanizing moment for Japanese leaders, U.S. officials say, was when China and Russia flew six heavy bombers near Japan in a joint exercise on May 24, as Tokyo was hosting a meeting of the “Quad” partnership of Australia, India, Japan and the United States.

Japan expressed “serious concerns” about the flights. But China and Russia did it again in late November, sending two Chinese heavy bombers and two Russian planes over the Sea of Japan. This time Tokyo expressed “severe concerns,” again with no apparent response.

Another wake-up call came in August, when China fired five missiles into Japan’s “exclusive economic zone” during a spasm of military exercises after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) visited Taiwan. “We have protested strongly through diplomatic channels,” said Nobuo Kishi, Japan’s former defense minister who now serves as a special adviser to the prime minister. The lesson was that “nothing in the Taiwan Strait stays in the Taiwan Strait,” Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Tokyo, told me in an interview.

@OSDefence for @UKDefJournal\n\n","username":"UKDefJournal","name":"UK Defence Journal","date":"Tue Jan 17 09:48:45 +0000 2023","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":15,"like_count":89,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/brita... and Japan sign major defence agreement in London","description":"Britain and Japan have signed the “most significant defence agreement between the two countries in more than a century”.","domain":"ukdefencejournal.org.uk"},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">UK Defence Journal @UKDefJournalBritain and Japan have signed the "most significant defence agreement between the two countries in more than a century". | @OSDefence for @UKDefJournalukdefencejournal.org.ukBritain and Japan sign major defence agreement in LondonBritain and Japan have signed the “most significant defence agreement between the two countries in more than a century”.9:48 AM ∙ Jan 17, 202389Likes15Retweets Britain and Japan sign major defence agreement in London

Earlier this month, US, Australian, British and Japanese paratroopers conducted joint parachute training from Japanese aircraft.

Additionally, the Vigilant Isles (pictured above) joint UK-Japanese exercise, which began in 2018 and other than US forces, was the first time foreign troops had conducted military exercises on Japanese soil, was held for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic in December, with soldiers from the British Army’s Royal Artillery and their Japanese counterparts practising island defence capabilities and improving their interoperability.

Tech news:Task & Purpose @TaskandPurposeThe Navy recently took delivery of six HELIOS laser weapons system to be integrated onto surface warships trib.alHere comes the Navy’s laser fleetPew pew pew!2:00 AM ∙ Jan 13, 202336Likes13Retweets

From the story (Story link: Here comes the Navy’s laser fleet):

Developed under a 2018 contract with Lockheed, the HELIOS consists of a 60-kilowatt laser and optical dazzler package designed to knock out unmanned aerial vehicles, “burn the boats,” and disrupt both airborne and shipborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance sensors, according to the Congressional Research Service.

As swarms of drone aircraft, watercraft, and anti-ship missiles pose growing threats to surface vessels, laser weapons systems have proven an ideal low-cost, near-unlimited ammo countermeasure to deter potential attacks. 

@caitlinmkenney ","username":"DefenseOne","name":"Defense One","date":"Mon Oct 17 21:27:00 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":6,"like_count":6,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://buff.ly/3T0B9vm","i... Drone Fleet Starting To Come Together in Middle East","description":"Bahrain, Kuwait pledge to chip in unmanned surface vessels for maritime surveillance and incident response, 5th Fleet says.","domain":"buff.ly"},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Defense One @DefenseOneA proposed fleet of 100 unmanned craft in Middle East waters is starting to come together, with the U.S. Navy on track to provide 20 surface drones by next month | @caitlinmkenney buff.lyU.S.-Led Drone Fleet Starting To Come Together in Middle EastBahrain, Kuwait pledge to chip in unmanned surface vessels for maritime surveillance and incident response, 5th Fleet says.9:27 PM ∙ Oct 17, 20226Likes6RetweetsStory link: U.S.-Led Drone Fleet Starting To Come Together in Middle EastMotivation and Wisdom:

You know, just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. And we all know that opportunities don't happen, you create them.

So, I want to make sure I do my best to feed you mentally. As you’ve probably heard, people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” That was said by the great Zig Ziglar, and I’ve found it to be true for sure.

Without further delay, let’s just begin.

@RadioFreeTom What’s the secret to a long lasting happy marriage?","username":"HavenWinter77","name":"LauraLWN","date":"Tue Dec 13 07:01:22 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":1,"like_count":20,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">LauraLWN @HavenWinter77@RadioFreeTom What’s the secret to a long lasting happy marriage?7:01 AM ∙ Dec 13, 202220Likes1Retweet@HavenWinter77 Knowing that love is more important than any stupid thing that pisses you off on any given day, and making sure to treat every week like there's a first date in there","username":"RadioFreeTom","name":"Tom Nichols","date":"Tue Dec 13 07:03:02 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":10,"like_count":556,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Tom Nichols @RadioFreeTom@HavenWinter77 Knowing that love is more important than any stupid thing that pisses you off on any given day, and making sure to treat every week like there's a first date in there7:03 AM ∙ Dec 13, 2022556Likes10RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"We Can't learn without pain."- Aristotle12:09 PM ∙ Jan 16, 2023525Likes118RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyDon’t make important decisions when you are hungry or tired.7:38 PM ∙ Jan 15, 2023814Likes167RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyThere's no better teacher than life. Whether you fail or succeed, it will be an experience.8:01 PM ∙ Jan 12, 2023427Likes88RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"You grow mentally weak when your life is too comfortable."9:53 AM ∙ Jan 16, 2023493Likes87RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Have the maturity to know sometimes silence is more powerful than having the last word."8:57 AM ∙ Jan 16, 2023795Likes152RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"It's during the worst storms of your life that you will get to see the true colors of the people who say they care for you."4:44 PM ∙ Jan 16, 2023279Likes58RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyTime, not money, is the most important currency of your life.7:01 AM ∙ Jan 16, 2023396Likes89RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Whatever you want in life, other people are going to want it too. Believe in yourself enough to accept the idea that you have an equal right to it."2:41 AM ∙ Jan 16, 2023418Likes83RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotNever give up on the things that make you smile.10:02 AM ∙ Jan 11, 202368Likes17RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"The past is where you learned the lesson. The future is where you apply the lesson, don't give up in the middle."9:59 PM ∙ Jan 15, 2023579Likes148RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Just be yourself. Let people see the real, imperfect, flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful, magical, person that you are."10:04 AM ∙ Jan 14, 20231,483Likes445RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Lighten up on yourself. No one is perfect."11:33 PM ∙ Jan 15, 2023795Likes181RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts." - Albert Einstein1:56 AM ∙ Jan 15, 2023776Likes198RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"One kind word can change someone's entire day. Be Human, Be Kind."1:41 AM ∙ Jan 15, 20231,620Likes425RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Positivity is a Super Power."5:05 AM ∙ Jan 13, 20231,363Likes344RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Your goals should scare you a little and excite you a lot."12:35 PM ∙ Jan 13, 20231,370Likes365RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else."- Peter F. Drucker1:55 PM ∙ Jan 14, 2023305Likes68RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"The easiest way to lose anything, is to take it for granted."10:30 PM ∙ Jan 15, 2023692Likes182RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Believe in what you want so much that it has no choice but to materialize."5:05 AM ∙ Jan 15, 2023899Likes234RetweetsInspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_Soulmates aren't just lovers, they're friends too. Your soulmates will naturally recognize you and align with you. They'll understand you, appreciate you, support you, love you, heal with you and evolve with you. They'll make you feel beautiful in your own skin just for being YOU10:00 AM ∙ Jan 12, 2023341Likes106RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"Make life fun. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed."5:06 PM ∙ Jan 16, 202374Likes17RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"The best revenge is no revenge. Move on. Be happy."12:35 PM ∙ Jan 15, 20231,443Likes346Retweets

And, I always like to end with this one:

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people."2:15 AM ∙ Aug 21, 20221,398Likes354Retweets

And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.

If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.

The View from the Front is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support this work and make it sustainable is with a paid subscription. But at the same time, free ones are appreciated, too!

Subscribe now

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Please don’t name-call the other side. They are mothers and fathers and folks not much different than you.🇺🇸🇺🇸

#WW2 ","username":"WWIIpix","name":"WWII Pictures","date":"Wed Nov 03 13:28:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FDRbxV...WWII Pictures @WWIIpixTwo US soldiers armed with an M1917 Browning machine gun and M3 Grease Gun in Normandy, summer 1944. #WW2 1:28 PM ∙ Nov 3, 2021659Likes57Retweets

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Also, if you have a dream kicking around in the back of your mind? Go after it. If you have that friend or family member that you know you should reach out to? Reach out to them.

Finally, and this especially goes to all my awesome military folks listening out there, if you need help, reach out to someone. Please. Call that friend or family member. Do it for us all. We’ve already lost too many of the greatest folks that this country has produced to suicide. So I’m asking you to be brave once more, and show some vulnerability. Take a deep breath, breathe, and call a friend or family member or someone who can help.

I appreciate each and every one of you. Every tweet, every share, every email, etc. I can’t even tell you how much those mean to me, and I love each and every one of you.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Thanks again, everyone! You guys are the best. As always, don’t forget to check out my books. You can find all 11 of them on Amazon.

And with that, I’m out.

Subscribe now

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational/biography book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.

Episode 1-12-23

Hey guys,

Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

Subscribe now

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do three things:

Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

And I always make sure at the end of the episode to share plenty of motivation and wisdom, because I want to do my small part to help encourage you and lift you up. Life is certainly hard, and I think it’s fair to say all of us need all the motivation and encouragement that we can possibly get.

Subscribe now

In this episode, we’ll be discussing several topics, that I think will really interest you, and that I almost guarantee you haven’t seen in the news! This includes:

Plenty of Ukraine and Russia news. Lots of big news to discuss in this regards.

Some news regarding military recruiting news in the U.S., which had dropped dangerously low.

Moving to China, we’ll cover several big things that have happened there, including a war game simulation on an invasion of Taiwan, what our military has decided to do with a bunch of Marines in Okinawa, and some other news.

We’ll also update you on the latest in Iran, and the now months’ long uprising that has been happening there.

Finally, we’ll cover plenty of motivation and wisdom.

Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time.

Subscribe now

Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or make a donation at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).

Why paid subscriptions help...

Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition. Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And what follows are some of the news reports/source notes that I quote from in the podcast, as well as the motivation and wisdom links I read.

Selected source notes for the podcast.

Ukraine/Russia:

Clearly Putin not only made a huge mistake invading Ukraine, but he has compounded it of late with a giant miscalculation in attacking energy infrastructure. This has accelerated Western resolve and support.

Andrew deGrandpré @adegrandpreNews: Pentagon announces $3 billion more in aid for Ukraine, including 50 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and 100 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers. Several more howitzers, sniper rifles and more.The full list: 7:25 PM ∙ Jan 6, 202321Likes4Retweets

Ukraine to get upgraded T-72 tanks from Czech Republic

Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | @ChuckPfarrerSWEDISH ARCHERS: According to the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billström, Stockholm plans to send 12 Archer self-propelled guns to Ukraine. The Archer can provide mobile artillery support using precision Excalibur 155mm shells. 1:00 PM ∙ Jan 11, 20232,343Likes243RetweetsTrent Telenko @TrentTelenkoThis is the text from the article mentioned below:"The package will for the first time include radar-guided Sea Sparrow anti-air missiles, which can be launched from the sea or on land to intercept aircraft or cruise missiles. In a bit of battlefield innovation,PSU SAM🧵2/ Paul McLeary @paulmclearyNEW: US is sending Sea Sparrow anti-air missiles to Ukraine, which Ukraine will launch from its existing Soviet-era BUK launchers. It's part of a new $3.8 billion package for Ukraine and Eastern Europe w/@laraseligman https://t.co/UHetBlZUn42:52 AM ∙ Jan 6, 20231,160Likes135RetweetsTrent Telenko @TrentTelenko...the Ukrainian military has managed to tweak its existing Soviet-era BUK launchers to fire the Sea Sparrow, two people familiar with the matter said. Up to this point, Taiwan has been the only country to operate the ground-launched version of the missiles, while...3/ 2:52 AM ∙ Jan 6, 2023336Likes25RetweetsNatasha Bertrand @NatashaBertrand“Out of its force of nearly 50,000 mercenaries— including 40,000 convicts—[Wagner Group] has sustained over 4,100 killed and 10,000 wounded, including over 1,000 killed between late November and early December near Bakhmut,” a senior admin official said. cnn.comRussian artillery fire down nearly 75%, US officials say, in latest sign of struggles for Moscow | CNN PoliticsAs Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its 11th month, US and Ukrainian officials tell CNN that Russia’s artillery fire is down dramatically from its wartime high, in some places by as much as 75%.3:59 PM ∙ Jan 10, 2023323Likes115RetweetsJames Waterhouse @JamWaterhouse"It is extremely difficult. Due to the resilience of our warriors, we have gained additional time and power for Ukraine."Is President Zelensky preparing people for the fall of Soledar in the east? Russian and Wagner forces are thought to now control most of it. 8:27 AM ∙ Jan 10, 202375Likes15RetweetsStan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellUpdate on this. Again, Zelensky showed leadership by being honest and open with his people. “Wagner Group closes in on Soledar” from The Economistespresso.economist.comThe world in brief, January 11th 2023Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s defence minister, appointed a new commander, Valery Gerasimov, to lead its12:54 PM ∙ Jan 11, 2023 edition.cnn.com/europe/live-ne… ","username":"Archer83Able","name":"Status-6","date":"Wed Jan 11 18:27:50 +0000 2023","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FmNiZ0... Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar stated today that heavy fighting continued in Soledar, and that the Russian forces were unable to capture the whole city. https://t.co/wTXvztkxAL https://t.co/u2980TvgDl","u...Status-6 @Archer83AbleUkrainian soldier in Soledar told CNN that he and his comrades remained in the town, but the situation was "very difficult" and that the next 24 hours or so would be crucial."We're hanging in there. Though practically on our own. Without commanders."edition.cnn.com/europe/live-ne… Status-6 @Archer83AbleUkraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar stated today that heavy fighting continued in Soledar, and that the Russian forces were unable to capture the whole city. https://t.co/wTXvztkxAL https://t.co/u2980TvgDl6:27 PM ∙ Jan 11, 2023115Likes20RetweetsChristopher Miller @ChristopherJMBrave stuff. My god, the war-torn hellscape that Russia has turned the once peaceful and quiet town of Soledar into… Evgen Vorobiov 🇺🇦 @vorobyovStunning drone footage from Soledar: Ukrainian combat medics evacuated an injured brother in arms on an armored personnel carrier — amid persistent enemy shelling.Source' @censor_net https://t.co/icCP3c849i6:26 PM ∙ Jan 11, 2023483Likes109RetweetsU.S. Military news:

Applications to Air Force Academy Bounce Back After Plummeting During Pandemic

Applications to join the Air Force Academy's class of 2027 skyrocketed last year, following a year when the school saw a dive in applications from young men and women during the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 10,000 students had applied to be part of the class of 2027 as of the Dec. 31 deadline. That's a 21% increase from the more than 8,300 applicants who wanted to join the class of 2026 the year before, according to Air Force Academy spokesman Dean Miller. The school said last year's low application numbers were due, in part, to the pandemic limiting how many in-person events it could hold for high school students.

China/Taiwan:@csis_isp expert Mark F. Cancian, Matthew Cancian, and Eric Heginbotham.\n\nRead the report: cs.is/3iobIXo ","username":"CSIS","name":"CSIS","date":"Tue Jan 10 19:00:31 +0000 2023","photos":[{"img_url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/upload/...CSIS @CSISCSIS wargamed a Chinese invasion of Taiwan 24 times and found that a democratic, independent Taiwan endures in most scenarios. But the costs are enormous, write @csis_isp expert Mark F. Cancian, Matthew Cancian, and Eric Heginbotham.Read the report: cs.is/3iobIXo 7:00 PM ∙ Jan 10, 2023444Likes204Retweets

Full report here: The First Battle of the Next War. Wargaming a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan

@CSIS wargame does not ask the question of why it happens or what starts it... and that is another debate altogether.\n\nWith @BradLendon \n\n","username":"OrenCNN","name":"Oren Liebermann","date":"Mon Jan 09 12:50:41 +0000 2023","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":12,"like_count":29,"expanded_url":{"url":"http://www.cnn.com/2023/01/09/politic... game suggests Chinese invasion of Taiwan would fail at a huge cost to US, Chinese and Taiwanese militaries | CNN Politics","description":"A Chinese invasion of Taiwan in 2026 would result in thousands of casualties among Chinese, United States, Taiwanese and Japanese forces, and it would be unlikely to result in a victory for Beijing, according to a prominent independent Washington think tank, which conducted war game simulations of a…","domain":"cnn.com"},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Oren Liebermann @OrenCNNAn interesting look at the results of a theoretical Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Crucially, his @CSIS wargame does not ask the question of why it happens or what starts it... and that is another debate altogether.With @BradLendon cnn.comWar game suggests Chinese invasion of Taiwan would fail at a huge cost to US, Chinese and Taiwanese militaries | CNN PoliticsA Chinese invasion of Taiwan in 2026 would result in thousands of casualties among Chinese, United States, Taiwanese and Japanese forces, and it would be unlikely to result in a victory for Beijing, according to a prominent independent Washington think tank, which conducted war game simulations of a…12:50 PM ∙ Jan 9, 202329Likes12RetweetsAndrew deGrandpré @adegrandpreThe Pentagon additionally wants to be able to rotate Marines to some of the more remote islands southwest of Okinawa, where they will train and perhaps position equipment there, to develop the ability to rapidly deploy should China attack Taiwan, officials said.4:02 AM ∙ Jan 11, 20231Like5RetweetsAndrew deGrandpré @adegrandpreSome of the southwestern islands, known collectively with Okinawa as the Ryukyus, are only about 100 miles from Taiwan — roughly the same distance that separates the self-governed island from mainland China.4:02 AM ∙ Jan 11, 20232Likes4Retweets

U.S., Japan set to announce shake-up of Marine Corps units to deter China

From the story:

This week, the two allies will announce the repurposing of a Marine Corps regiment based in Okinawa to be able by 2025 to rapidly disperse to fight in austere, remote islands, according to several U.S. officials. The Marine Corps plans to equip the regiment with advanced capabilities, such as anti-ship missiles that could be fired at Chinese ships in the event of a Taiwan conflict.

This is one of the most significant advances in U.S. force posture in the region in at least a decade, said the officials. “Japan is substantially improving its capacity, but also providing more capacity for the United States,” said the administration official. “This reflects a Japan that is much less ambivalent, a Japan that is prepared to play a more substantial role in its own defense.”

In the past, the administration official said, Japan would have resorted to “a kind of checkbook diplomacy, and basically asked the United States to take care of” security in the region. “What they’re doing now is something quite different and quite substantial, which is essentially to say, ‘Count us in.’ And that’s a big deal.”

Iran:

Uprising continues, from The Economist

Iran hanged two men accused of killing a member of the Basij, a volunteer militia that is part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to state-affiliated media. Iran has now executed four demonstrators involved in the months-long protests sparked by the killing of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman, in police custody. As many as 41 others have also been sentenced to death.

Motivation and Wisdom:

You know, just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. And we all know that opportunities don't happen, you create them.

So, I want to make sure I do my best to feed you mentally. As you’ve probably heard, people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” That was said by the great Zig Ziglar, and I’ve found it to be true for sure.

Without further delay, let’s just begin.

Motivational Quotes @motivation_qotDon't complain. Just rebuild your life.4:01 PM ∙ Jan 10, 202354Likes17RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Give up on your fears, not your dreams."3:37 AM ∙ Jan 9, 20231,396Likes321RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyTime heals everything. Time corrects everything. Time is the solution to every problem, I believe. A lot of things can happen with time. All that has to be there is the intention.11:11 AM ∙ Jan 8, 2023431Likes109Retweets@RadioFreeTom When your young you strive for the biggest things in life. When your old it becomes the little things funny how that changes.","username":"rodge_rabbit","name":"The Rabbit 🐇","date":"Sun Jan 08 05:23:26 +0000 2023","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":0,"like_count":1,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">The Rabbit 🐇 @rodge_rabbit@RadioFreeTom When your young you strive for the biggest things in life. When your old it becomes the little things funny how that changes.5:23 AM ∙ Jan 8, 2023Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_It astonishes me to see that the average man today lives a better life than most medieval kings, yet he stills finds things to complain about.Do yourself a favor: Practice gratitude.3:10 AM ∙ Jan 8, 2023317Likes58RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotTrust your intuition. It never lies.4:24 AM ∙ Jan 8, 202384Likes37RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Trust the timing of your life."1:35 PM ∙ Jan 7, 20231,258Likes279RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotThe calmer you are, the clearer you think.4:00 AM ∙ Jan 7, 2023112Likes44RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"When you love someone, you love the person as they are, and not as you'd like them to be." - Leo Tolstoy3:49 PM ∙ Jan 6, 2023479Likes79RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivationalFill it 3:28 AM ∙ Jan 6, 20232,514Likes509RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Fighting for your dreams is never easy, but its always worth it."10:45 AM ∙ Dec 23, 20221,006Likes227RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can."11:09 PM ∙ Jan 5, 2023806Likes194RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"You become unstoppable with a vision, plan and discipline."5:15 PM ∙ Dec 17, 20222,140Likes523RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_The days that you don't want to, Are the days you must suck it up and do it.3:15 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023444Likes86RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"If you don't take a chance, you don't stand a chance."2:47 AM ∙ Dec 16, 20221,220Likes267RetweetsLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesDarkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. - Martin Luther King Jr.3:01 AM ∙ Jan 5, 202373Likes25RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be better than you were yesterday."3:15 AM ∙ Dec 15, 20221,244Likes319RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"There is nothing like a dream to create the future."2:52 AM ∙ Jan 5, 2023662Likes132Retweets

And, I always like to end with this one:

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people."2:15 AM ∙ Aug 21, 20221,398Likes354Retweets

And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.

If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.

The View from the Front is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support this work and make it sustainable is with a paid subscription. But at the same time, free ones are appreciated, too!

Subscribe now

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Please don’t name-call the other side. They are mothers and fathers and folks not much different than you.🇺🇸🇺🇸

#WW2 ","username":"WWIIpix","name":"WWII Pictures","date":"Wed Nov 03 13:28:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FDRbxV...WWII Pictures @WWIIpixTwo US soldiers armed with an M1917 Browning machine gun and M3 Grease Gun in Normandy, summer 1944. #WW2 1:28 PM ∙ Nov 3, 2021659Likes57Retweets

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Also, if you have a dream kicking around in the back of your mind? Go after it. If you have that friend or family member that you know you should reach out to? Reach out to them.

Finally, and this especially goes to all my awesome military folks listening out there, if you need help, reach out to someone. Please. Call that friend or family member. Do it for us all. We’ve already lost too many of the greatest folks that this country has produced to suicide. So I’m asking you to be brave once more, and show some vulnerability. Take a deep breath, breathe, and call a friend or family member or someone who can help.

I appreciate each and every one of you. Every tweet, every share, every email, etc. I can’t even tell you how much those mean to me, and I love each and every one of you.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Thanks again, everyone! You guys are the best. As always, don’t forget to check out my books. You can find all 11 of them on Amazon.

And with that, I’m out.

Subscribe now

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational/biography book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.

Episode 1-5-23

Hey guys,

Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

Subscribe now

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do three things:

Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

And I always make sure at the end of the episode to share plenty of motivation and wisdom, because I want to do my small part to help encourage you and lift you up. Life is certainly hard, and I think it’s fair to say all of us need all the motivation and encouragement that we can possibly get.

Subscribe now

In this episode, we’ll be discussing several topics, that I think will really interest you, and that I almost guarantee you haven’t seen in the news! This includes:

Ukraine will be getting a new weapon system from the United States, as our country plans to send over Bradley Fighting Vehicles to help drive out the Russians. That’s the topline news, but we’ll spend a few minutes going into the details of the Bradley, what it can do, and what makes it such a potential game-changer for Ukraine.

Hundreds of Russians died in what is probably one of the most successful deep strikes of Ukraine to date. We’ll cover how that happened, why that happened, and even how the Russians were warned about it and ignored those warnings.

We’re going to share the latest message that Russia is putting out, as it tries to spin the facts on the war, and then remind people what the truth is.

We’re going to talk briefly about Radio Free Europe, and the role it plays around the world, but especially for 11 million Russians who are tuning in and getting the truth about the war.

We’ll wrap up our coverage of Ukraine by visiting the Kherson torture rooms that were recently discovered, and what the Russians were doing to Ukrainians in that city before it was liberated.

From there, we’ll move to the friction between China and Taiwan and explain a generous offer that has been made by Taiwan, as China deals with the growing death toll from COVID, which we warned about several weeks ago.

We’ll end the news section by discussing the LongShot project to develop an air-launched unmanned air vehicle that can employ multiple air-to-air weapons, and how I think this could revolutionize warfare in the air.

Finally, we’ll cover plenty of motivation and wisdom.

Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time.

Subscribe now

Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or make a donation at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).

Why paid subscriptions help...

Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition. Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And what follows are some of the news reports/source notes that I quote from in the podcast, as well as the motivation and wisdom links I read.

Selected source notes for the podcast.

Ukraine:@AlbertoNardelli. “Bradleys would provide a major increase in ground combat capability because it is, in effect, a light tank,” one analyst says.\nbloomberg.com/news/articles/… ","username":"JenniferJJacobs","name":"Jennifer Jacobs","date":"Thu Dec 29 20:35:43 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FlLDAG...Jennifer Jacobs @JenniferJJacobsScoop: Biden admin is discussing sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine, sources tell me and @AlbertoNardelli. “Bradleys would provide a major increase in ground combat capability because it is, in effect, a light tank,” one analyst says.bloomberg.com/news/articles/… 8:35 PM ∙ Dec 29, 20226,690Likes1,152Retweets

Biden weighs sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine

From the article:

The Bradley is a medium armored combat vehicle that can serve as a troop carrier. It has tracks rather than wheels, but the vehicle is lighter and more agile than a tank. It can carry about 10 personnel, or be configured instead to carry additional ammunition or communications equipment.

Rob Lee @RALee85I actually think the upgrade of Bradleys over BMP-1 might be greater than Abrams over existing Ukrainian tanks. Jennifer Jacobs @JenniferJJacobsScoop: Biden admin is discussing sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine, sources tell me and @AlbertoNardelli. “Bradleys would provide a major increase in ground combat capability because it is, in effect, a light tank,” one analyst says.https://t.co/nYg4pRBPPR https://t.co/DAmqxKmMhM11:54 PM ∙ Dec 29, 20223,369Likes335RetweetsMarkHertling @MarkHertlingI’m biased (it was my vehicle during Desert Storm) but would agree for a variety of reasons…Chain gun, TOWS, speed, easier maintenance, smaller crew, better mileage, available vehicles…. Rob Lee @RALee85I actually think the upgrade of Bradleys over BMP-1 might be greater than Abrams over existing Ukrainian tanks. https://t.co/8BbcfKjrKX2:24 AM ∙ Dec 30, 20224,441Likes392Retweets

Incredible thread about the Bradley below:

david D. @secretsqrl123lots of talk about the M2 bradley, and how it MAY be going to the ukraine.. lets clear some things up shall we. 3:02 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20225,576Likes905Retweetsdavid D. @secretsqrl123if the bradley goes, its not going alone. spare parts and support equipment will be coming along too.. TONS of it. so no problem.the bradley going would probably be the M2A2 ODS. thats a bradley that has been upgraded at least 3 times since the last time it faced the USSR3:04 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20221,816Likes72Retweetsdavid D. @secretsqrl123the armor is now thicker, the fire control better, the gun is better, the TOWs are improved, the sights are better.. all improved..what can we say about the museum exhibits that MOST of the russian vehicles that are out there? well there are fewer of them. thats about all3:07 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20221,673Likes51Retweetsdavid D. @secretsqrl123the M242 was able to go right threw T72s in both gulf wars. the AP ammo is devastating to the soviet era cast tanks. trust me we were shocked too (brad crews). infantry would try to hide behind wrecks of tanks. it never worked. a long burst would get them3:09 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20222,043Likes114Retweetsdavid D. @secretsqrl123the thermal sights on the bradley are great and can be used in the recon mode, and the 25mm can (and has been) used in the anti sniper mode. brads are scarry fast. i can say that on a hill i have hit over 60mph.. and yes i was wearing the brown camo pants.3:12 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20221,998Likes67Retweetsdavid D. @secretsqrl123the TOW, they already have it and have used it in combat. it works and NOTHING can survive a hit from it. out of the 15+ i have fired.. only 1 miss due to a malfunction. enough said.3:14 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20221,821Likes64Retweetsdavid D. @secretsqrl123some will try to say "its too complicated for ukr".. BS.if 18yo US kids can keep it running so can combat hardened smart ukr mechanics. everything is plug and play. and it comes with a computer that will tell you what is broken.3:16 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20222,434Likes107Retweetsdavid D. @secretsqrl123normally if you have a issue with the hull its the VDB, and you just change it out. in the turret its the TDB, or the computer.. both easy to change.. and quick. other than that the motor (PAC) or the sight go out.. all simple and easy to pull and swap.3:18 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20221,501Likes42Retweetsdavid D. @secretsqrl123improved brad today.. all kinds of added armor 3:31 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20221,955Likes73Retweetsdavid D. @secretsqrl123russian upgrades to most BMP1s in the last 30 years (in red boxes) 3:33 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20222,615Likes83Retweets

Dozens of Russian soldiers killed in massive Donetsk missile strike

Without claiming responsibility for the attack, Kyiv’s military command said that at least 400 soldiers were killed in the strike in Makiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine under Russian occupation, and that at least 300 soldiers were injured. Russia’s Defense Ministry put the death toll at 63.

…

Moscow authorities, pro-Kremlin war bloggers and Telegram channels acknowledged the attack but provided inconclusive and contradictory death tolls.

Economist article on the strike:

The early-morning strike, courtesy of at least four himars high-precision missiles, killed scores of (mostly newly mobilised) soldiers. Russia has said that more than 90 died; Ukraine says the figure is at least 400. Igor “Strelkov” Girkin, the eccentric former intelligence officer largely responsible for the outbreak of war in the Donbas region in 2014, said he had warned Russian generals about the likelihood of himars strikes on barracks. “They [the generals] are untrainable in principle,” he barked.

is.gd/E3S5LX ","username":"mfa_russia","name":"MFA Russia 🇷🇺","date":"Sat Dec 31 23:45:38 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FlWBcb...MFA Russia 🇷🇺 @mfa_russia🎙 President Putin: The West lied to us about peace while preparing for aggression.💬Today, they cynically use Ukraine and its people as a means to weaken and divide Russia. ☝️ We have never allowed anyone to do this and we will not allow it now.🔗 is.gd/E3S5LX 11:45 PM ∙ Dec 31, 20228,729Likes2,284RetweetsTom Nichols @RadioFreeTomPutin made his own nation into a pariah state after improverishing his p/eople for no better reasons other than greed, ego, and stupidity, and now he's griping at the rest of the world for his failures. Russia had every chance to recover and rejoin the world, and he blew it. MFA Russia 🇷🇺 @mfa_russia🎙 President Putin: The West lied to us about peace while preparing for aggression.💬Today, they cynically use Ukraine and its people as a means to weaken and divide Russia. ☝️ We have never allowed anyone to do this and we will not allow it now.🔗 https://t.co/fI5u99USDv https://t.co/KpQlqd8v972:33 AM ∙ Jan 2, 2023890Likes187Retweets

Radio Free Europe source clip:

cbsn.ws/3WWa7GR ","username":"60Minutes","name":"60 Minutes","date":"Mon Jan 02 00:39:54 +0000 2023","photos":[{"img_url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/upload/...60 Minutes @60MinutesRussia’s multi-billion dollar effort to push disinformation abroad has given Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty new life. CEO Jamie Fly says 40 million people from 23 countries tune in to its coverage, including 11 million inside Russia. cbsn.ws/3WWa7GR 12:39 AM ∙ Jan 2, 2023648Likes267Retweets

Radio Free Europe FAQs: https://pressroom.rferl.org/frequently-asked-questions

Anton Gerashchenko @Gerashchenko_enKherson torture rooms.📹: Dmytro Pletenchuk, press officer of the commandant of the defense of the city of Kherson 5:12 PM ∙ Dec 30, 20221,731Likes848RetweetsTaiwan/China news:CNN International @cnniTaiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said the self-ruled democratic island is willing to provide assistance to help China deal with its Covid surge after Beijing eased its hardline approach last month. cnn.itTaiwan willing to offer help to China to deal with Covid-19 surge | CNNTaiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said the self-ruled democratic island is willing to provide assistance to help China deal with its Covid surge after Beijing eased its hardline approach last month.3:59 AM ∙ Jan 1, 2023173Likes39Retweets

From the CNN article:

China’s U-turn on its Covid policy caught citizens and the medical system off guard, with some pharmacy shelves swept empty of cold and fever medicines and hospitals scrambling to cope with an unprecedented jump in infections.

Tech news:@GeneralAtomics, @LockheedMartin, and @northropgrumman for the new LongShot project to develop an air-launched unmanned air vehicle that can employ multiple air-to-air weapons. ddmdraft.darpa.mil/news-events/20… ","username":"DARPA","name":"DARPA","date":"Mon Feb 08 20:18:42 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/EtuvtR...DARPA @DARPAContracts have been awarded to @GeneralAtomics, @LockheedMartin, and @northropgrumman for the new LongShot project to develop an air-launched unmanned air vehicle that can employ multiple air-to-air weapons. ddmdraft.darpa.mil/news-events/20… 8:18 PM ∙ Feb 8, 2021636Likes288Retweets

From the story:

The objective is to develop a novel UAV that can significantly extend engagement ranges, increase mission effectiveness, and reduce the risk to manned aircraft.

Current air superiority concepts rely on advanced manned fighter aircraft to provide a penetrating counter air capability to effectively deliver weapons. It is envisioned that LongShot will increase the survivability of manned platforms by allowing them to be at standoff ranges far away from enemy threats, while an air-launched LongShot UAV efficiently closes the gap to take more effective missile shots.

Motivation and Wisdom:

You know, just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. And we all know that opportunities don't happen, you create them.

So, I want to make sure I do my best to feed you mentally. As you’ve probably heard, people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” That was said by the great Zig Ziglar, and I’ve found it to be true for sure.

Without further delay, let’s just begin.

@NSUDemonsMBB becomes an inspiration playing college hoops with one arm.\n\nby @kristieAP and @LOyekanmi: apne.ws/CmsjCfL ","username":"AP_Top25","name":"AP Top 25","date":"Sat Dec 31 18:30:00 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/upload/...AP Top 25 @AP_Top25"Nobody is going to stop me. Only God.”Hansel Enmanuel of @NSUDemonsMBB becomes an inspiration playing college hoops with one arm.by @kristieAP and @LOyekanmi: apne.ws/CmsjCfL 6:30 PM ∙ Dec 31, 202257Likes25Retweets

Motivational Quotes @motivation_qotStay patient. The best things happen unexpectedly.4:10 PM ∙ Jan 4, 202335Likes7RetweetsN. M. Curry @realNickCurry11:18 AM ∙ Jan 3, 202351Likes10RetweetsLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesMake the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you. - Ralph Waldo Emerson3:01 AM ∙ Jan 3, 202360Likes14RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"When one door closes, try another door. The world is full of doors. Eventually you will find yours."11:15 PM ∙ Jan 1, 2023830Likes210RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams."1:07 PM ∙ Jan 1, 20232,450Likes486RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotToday is a new day, stop living in the past4:05 AM ∙ Jan 1, 202382Likes24RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_Don't be afraid... 11:10 PM ∙ Dec 31, 20221,676Likes450RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"I have the power to accomplish everything I need to do this year."8:15 PM ∙ Dec 31, 2022854Likes208RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivational2:10 PM ∙ Dec 31, 20224,795Likes903RetweetsInspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_Wake up determined, go to bed satisfied.3:53 AM ∙ Dec 16, 2022134Likes35RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"How to win in life:1. Work hard.2. Complain less.3. Listen more.4. Try, learn, grow.5. Don't let people tell you it cant be done.6. Make no excuses."- Germany Kent12:44 PM ∙ Dec 30, 2022728Likes201RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotbe a better you, for you.4:00 AM ∙ Dec 16, 2022167Likes81RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_11:15 PM ∙ Dec 29, 2022653Likes114RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"If you don't take a chance, you don't stand a chance."2:47 AM ∙ Dec 16, 20221,223Likes265Retweets

And, I always like to end with this one:

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people."2:15 AM ∙ Aug 21, 20221,398Likes354Retweets

And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.

If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.

The View from the Front is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support this work and make it sustainable is with a paid subscription. But at the same time, free ones are appreciated, too!

Subscribe now

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Please don’t name-call the other side. They are mothers and fathers and folks not much different than you.🇺🇸🇺🇸

#WW2 ","username":"WWIIpix","name":"WWII Pictures","date":"Wed Nov 03 13:28:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FDRbxV...WWII Pictures @WWIIpixTwo US soldiers armed with an M1917 Browning machine gun and M3 Grease Gun in Normandy, summer 1944. #WW2 1:28 PM ∙ Nov 3, 2021659Likes57Retweets

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Also, if you have a dream kicking around in the back of your mind? Go after it. If you have that friend or family member that you know you should reach out to? Reach out to them.

Finally, and this especially goes to all my awesome military folks listening out there, if you need help, reach out to someone. Please. Call that friend or family member. Do it for us all. We’ve already lost too many of the greatest folks that this country has produced to suicide. So I’m asking you to be brave once more, and show some vulnerability. Take a deep breath, breathe, and call a friend or family member or someone who can help.

I appreciate each and every one of you. Every tweet, every share, every email, etc. I can’t even tell you how much those mean to me, and I love each and every one of you.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Thanks again, everyone! You guys are the best. As always, don’t forget to check out my books. You can find all 11 of them on Amazon.

And with that, I’m out.

Subscribe now

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational/biography book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.

Episode 12-29-22

Hey guys,

Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do two things:

Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

Subscribe now

In this episode, we’ll be discussing several topics, that I think will really interest you, and that I almost guarantee you haven’t seen in the news! This includes:

What a prominent retired General says Ukraine needs, and whether he thinks Belarus will invade Ukraine alongside Russian forces.

News that Russia is now ready to resume sending natural gas to Europe.

The Pentagon is saying Russia could run out of reliable rockets and artillery shells early next year.

How Russian troops are fighting (and being slaughtered) on the eastern front in the Donbas region.

The possibility that American troops might train Ukrainian troops for the first time on American soil, and what type of weapons system they might be trained on.

An accidental, and ingenious, manner might have been discovered in Ukraine to stop slow-moving, but deadly loitering munitions.

Taiwan has decided to extend mandatory military service because of the Chinese threat; we’ll cover for how long and the details on that.

South Korea has released a new defense strategy. We’ll briefly discuss how they tread a fine line with the threat from China, and how America reacted to their new strategy.

And in tech news, we’ll cover the announcement that the Navy is looking to purchase a drone that can fly for a week without refueling.

Finally, we’ll cover plenty of motivation and wisdom.

Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time.

Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or make a donation at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).

Why paid subscriptions help...

Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition. Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And what follows are some of the news reports/source notes that I quote from in the podcast, as well as the motivation and wisdom links I read.

Selected source notes for the podcast.

Ukraine/Russia news:Euromaidan Press @EuromaidanPressUkraine put Russian army in check, not chekmate - retired US general Barry McCaffreyUkraine can't win on the defensive & 1 Patriot battery won't change this. Ukraine must be supplied with ATACMS long-range surface missiles & M1 Abrams tanks 3:55 PM ∙ Dec 24, 20224,253Likes769Retweets

Russia ready to resume gas supply to Europe via Yamal-Europe gas pipeline

Russia Could Run Out Of Reliable Rockets, Artillery Shells Early Next Year, Pentagon Says

'We Fight With Our Brains. They Fight With Numbers': Ukrainian Paratroopers On The Battle For The Donbas City of Kreminna

Lara Seligman @laraseligmanSCOOP: DoD is considering training the Ukrainian armed forces to operate the Patriot missile defense system at a military base in the U.S., according to two defense officials. No final decision, but this wld be a first for the U.S. since the invasion. politico.comMilitary weighs training Ukrainians on Patriot in United StatesSince the invasion in February, the U.S. has trained Ukrainians in Europe.9:32 PM ∙ Dec 22, 2022172Likes53RetweetsThomas C. Theiner @nocladorHow to defeat russia's most advanced loitering munitions:1) nets2) trees¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 @bayraktar_1loveTwo Russian kamikaze drones (possibly Lancet) tried to attack Ukrainian tanks but got stuck in a camouflage net and in trees https://t.co/07smS6HB8i11:08 PM ∙ Dec 23, 2022694Likes74RetweetsSpecial Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 @bayraktar_1loveTwo Russian kamikaze drones (possibly Lancet) tried to attack Ukrainian tanks but got stuck in a camouflage net and in trees 10:17 PM ∙ Dec 23, 20225,005Likes540Retweets

Taiwan extends mandatory military service to combat Chinese threat

South Korea Barely Mentions China in New Indo-Pacific Strategy

Jake Sullivan @JakeSullivan46The U.S. welcomes the Republic of Korea’s new Indo-Pacific Strategy, which will expand cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, strengthen our shared ability to advance international security, and promote nuclear nonproliferation, contributing to a free and  open Indo-Pacific.3:11 AM ∙ Dec 28, 2022348Likes79Retweets

The Navy is eyeing a drone that can fly for a week without refueling

Motivation and Wisdom:

You know, just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. And we all know that opportunities don't happen, you create them.

So, I want to make sure I do my best to feed you mentally. As you’ve probably heard, people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” That was said by the great Zig Ziglar, and I’ve found it to be true for sure.

Without further delay, let’s just begin.

Words of Wisdom @billionair_keyA positive mind finds opportunity in everything.A negative mind finds fault in everything.3:00 PM ∙ Dec 27, 2022362Likes67RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough."12:35 PM ∙ Dec 27, 20221,022Likes215RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotComparison will kill you. Be you.4:01 PM ∙ Dec 27, 202259Likes22RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keySome people are like clouds. When they disappear, it's a brighter day.6:15 AM ∙ Dec 27, 2022930Likes180RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be teachable. You’re not always right."8:25 AM ∙ Dec 27, 20221,470Likes300RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotYou got two big choices: do it now or regret it later.10:00 AM ∙ Dec 27, 202294Likes29RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Stop running to those who ignore you and start running to those who adore you."8:51 PM ∙ Dec 27, 2022376Likes84RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"The journey to building wealth is more about self-improvement than learning how to make money."3:10 AM ∙ Dec 26, 2022438Likes73RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivationalGet back up 2:43 AM ∙ Dec 26, 20221,554Likes350RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"The best way to predict your future is to create it." - Abraham Lincoln2:35 PM ∙ Dec 27, 2022792Likes154RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Goals work when you work."5:05 AM ∙ Dec 27, 20221,016Likes229RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain5:42 PM ∙ Dec 27, 2022552Likes134RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_“Don’t limit your challenges. Challenge your limits.”- Unknown1:35 PM ∙ Dec 24, 2022368Likes66RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"You'll never feel 100% ready. Just do it."10:50 AM ∙ Dec 24, 2022977Likes220RetweetsDaily Dose of Philosophy @PhilosophyDose_"Success is the sum of small efforts - repeated day in and day out."- Robert Collier5:46 PM ∙ Dec 27, 2022221Likes46RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"You may not be there yet, but you're closer than you were yesterday."8:15 PM ∙ Dec 26, 2022770Likes149Retweets

And, I always like to end with this one:

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people."2:15 AM ∙ Aug 21, 20221,398Likes354Retweets

And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.

If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.

The View from the Front is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support this work and make it sustainable is with a paid subscription. But at the same time, free ones are appreciated, too!

Subscribe now

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Please don’t name-call the other side. They are mothers and fathers and folks not much different than you.🇺🇸🇺🇸

#WW2 ","username":"WWIIpix","name":"WWII Pictures","date":"Wed Nov 03 13:28:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FDRbxV...WWII Pictures @WWIIpixTwo US soldiers armed with an M1917 Browning machine gun and M3 Grease Gun in Normandy, summer 1944. #WW2 1:28 PM ∙ Nov 3, 2021659Likes57Retweets

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Also, if you have a dream kicking around in the back of your mind? Go after it. If you have that friend or family member that you know you should reach out to? Reach out to them.

Finally, and this especially goes to all my awesome military folks listening out there, if you need help, reach out to someone. Please. Call that friend or family member. Do it for us all. We’ve already lost too many of the greatest folks that this country has produced to suicide. So I’m asking you to be brave once more, and show some vulnerability. Take a deep breath, breathe, and call a friend or family member or someone who can help.

I appreciate each and every one of you. Every tweet, every share, every email, etc. I can’t even tell you how much those mean to me, and I love each and every one of you.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Thanks again, everyone! You guys are the best. As always, don’t forget to check out my books. You can find all 11 of them on Amazon.

And with that, I’m out.

Subscribe now

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational/biography book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.

Episode 12-22-22

Hey guys,

Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do two things:

Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

Subscribe now

In this episode, we’ll be discussing several topics, that I think will really interest you, and that I almost guarantee you haven’t seen in the news! This includes:

A look back at what I think are six of the biggest foreign policy stories for 2022 (one of which, I’ll bet you’re not even aware of!).

An in-depth look at an interview recently done by the CIA director, which had an impressive amount of news regarding many of the topics we’ve been covering, especially regarding the war in Ukraine against Russia, and the growing threat of an invasion of Taiwan by China.

The Zelensky visit to America, and three really interesting things from that visit.

A remarkable bit of reporting from The New York Times and the Washington Post, regarding the invasion of Ukraine, and just how poorly the Russian soldiers were prepped, equipped, and prepared for this horrific fighting.

A brief look into the horrific murder of an Iranian doctor, who simply tried to help the protestors, and what this might mean for the larger movement against Iran’s government.

Finally, we’ll cover plenty of motivation and wisdom.

Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time.

Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or make a donation at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).

Why paid subscriptions help...

Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition. Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And what follows are some of the news reports/source notes that I quote from in the podcast, as well as the motivation and wisdom links I read.

Selected source notes for the podcast.

PBS: CIA Director Bill Burns on war in Ukraine, intelligence challenges posed by China

AP: Zelenskyy thanks ‘every American,’ sees ‘turning point’

New York Times: Putin’s War: A Times investigation based on interviews, intercepts, documents and secret battle plans shows how a “walk in the park” became a catastrophe for Russia.

Washington Post: ‘Wiped out’: War in Ukraine has decimated a once feared Russian brigade

CNN: US to send precision bomb kits and Patriot missiles in next Ukraine aid package, officials say

Tehran Doctor Tortured And Killed For Treating Wounded Protesters

Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellJapan could have the third largest military budget in just a few years. Plans to buy between 400 and 500 Tomahawk cruise missiles washingtonpost.comJapan to buy Tomahawk missiles in defense buildup amid fears of warJapan is looking to buy hundreds of U.S.-built Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of an unprecedented defense buildup.11:48 AM ∙ Dec 12, 2022Status-6 @Archer83AbleFor the first time, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force deployed its fighter jets to Philippines.Two Mitsubishi F-15J fighter jets arrived on Tuesday at Clark Air Base on Luzon Island after taking off from an airbase in southwestern Japan. www3.nhk.or.jpJapan’s Air Self-Defense Force sends fighter jets to Philippines | NHK WORLD-JAPAN NewsJapan’s Air Self-Defense Force has sent two fighter jets to the Philippines, the first time it has dispatched them to the country. The two nations are deepening their security ties as China increases its regional presence.11:12 AM ∙ Dec 7, 202264Likes23RetweetsMotivation and Wisdom:

You know, just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. And we all know that opportunities don't happen, you create them.

So, I want to make sure I do my best to feed you mentally. As you’ve probably heard, people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” That was said by the great Zig Ziglar, and I’ve found it to be true for sure.

Without further delay, let’s just begin.

Inspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Be proud of yourself, you survived the days you thought you couldn’t."8:27 AM ∙ Dec 14, 202211,753Likes3,405RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotComparison will kill you. Be you.10:02 AM ∙ Dec 19, 202267Likes26RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations"8:25 AM ∙ Dec 19, 2022975Likes200RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." - Arnold Schwarzenegger3:28 PM ∙ Dec 19, 2022236Likes60RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotStop losing your mind over ppl that don’t mind losing you.4:00 AM ∙ Dec 18, 202280Likes33RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"If you don’t challenge yourself, you will never realize what you can become."9:14 AM ∙ Dec 19, 20221,667Likes358RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotBe consistent, not perfect.4:00 PM ∙ Dec 16, 202292Likes34RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Your future needs you. Not your past."3:15 AM ∙ Dec 19, 20221,654Likes396RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"A person who truly loves you will never let you go or give up on you, no matter how hard the situation is."8:49 PM ∙ Dec 18, 20224,028Likes925RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"You may not be there yet, but you're closer than you were yesterday."3:10 AM ∙ Dec 18, 2022847Likes186RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotDreams don't work unless you do10:00 AM ∙ Dec 16, 202281Likes26RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"You have no idea what you're capable of until you try."11:00 AM ∙ Dec 18, 20221,292Likes287Retweets

And, I always like to end with this one:

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people."2:15 AM ∙ Aug 21, 20221,398Likes354Retweets

And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.

If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.

The View from the Front is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support this work and make it sustainable is with a paid subscription. But at the same time, free ones are appreciated, too!

Subscribe now

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Please don’t name-call the other side. They are mothers and fathers and folks not much different than you.🇺🇸🇺🇸

#WW2 ","username":"WWIIpix","name":"WWII Pictures","date":"Wed Nov 03 13:28:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FDRbxV...WWII Pictures @WWIIpixTwo US soldiers armed with an M1917 Browning machine gun and M3 Grease Gun in Normandy, summer 1944. #WW2 1:28 PM ∙ Nov 3, 2021659Likes57Retweets

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Also, if you have a dream kicking around in the back of your mind? Go after it. If you have that friend or family member that you know you should reach out to? Reach out to them.

Finally, and this especially goes to all my awesome military folks listening out there, if you need help, reach out to someone. Please. Call that friend or family member. Do it for us all. We’ve already lost too many of the greatest folks that this country has produced to suicide. So I’m asking you to be brave once more, and show some vulnerability. Take a deep breath, breathe, and call a friend or family member or someone who can help.

I appreciate each and every one of you. Every tweet, every share, every email, etc. I can’t even tell you how much those mean to me, and I love each and every one of you.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Thanks again, everyone! You guys are the best. As always, don’t forget to check out my books. You can find all 11 of them on Amazon.

And with that, I’m out.

Subscribe now

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational/biography book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.

Episode 12-15-22

Hey guys,

Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do two things:

Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

Subscribe now

Take a listen to the show above. I really hope it resonates with you.

And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time.

Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or make a donation at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).

Why paid subscriptions help...

Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition.

In this episode, I talk about:

Some potentially HUGE news that’s really good for Ukraine.

An important thing I’ve never considered about Putin’s mental state, and what that means for all of us — especially Ukraine.

The U.S. left Afghanistan, but the country is now a growing, festering wound for Pakistan. I talk about the strategic implications of this. And how Pakistan’s dual hand is about to come back to haunt the nation.

Russia’s growing partnership with Iran, and what that might mean for the Middle East, especially Saudia Arabia.

Finally, we’ll cover plenty of motivation and wisdom.

Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And what follows are the news reports/source notes of some of the items that I quote from in the podcast.

Source notes for the podcast.

Motivation and Wisdom:

You know, just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. And we all know that opportunities don't happen, you create them.

So, I want to make sure I do my best to feed you mentally. As you’ve probably heard, people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” That was said by the great Zig Ziglar, and I’ve found it to be true for sure.

Without further delay, let’s just begin.

Inspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Don't use your energy to worry...Use your energy to believe.Use your energy to help others.Use your energy to inspire others.Use your energy to think positively.Use your energy to get things done.Use your energy to love your family."10:59 AM ∙ Dec 12, 2022509Likes139RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotBe obsessed with improving yourself.4:01 AM ∙ Dec 12, 2022113Likes49RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"You can't control everything. Sometimes you just need to relax and have faith that things will work out. Let go a little and just let life happen."10:33 PM ∙ Dec 11, 20221,017Likes257RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"A little progress every day adds up to big results."12:35 PM ∙ Dec 11, 20222,199Likes551RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength, move on."11:39 AM ∙ Dec 11, 2022473Likes86RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivationalAll those late nights 12:55 AM ∙ Dec 11, 20221,947Likes316RetweetsWords of Wisdom @billionair_keyA good laugh heals a lot of hurts.5:19 AM ∙ Dec 10, 20221,734Likes448RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Beauty doesn't last forever, but a beautiful personality does."11:15 PM ∙ Dec 9, 2022910Likes223Retweets

Hat tip for the above from @LCpl_X

Inspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_Every great story happened when someone decided not to give up.12:35 PM ∙ Dec 9, 2022360Likes95RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_Learn to trust the journey, even when you don't understand it.12:35 PM ∙ Dec 9, 20221,240Likes309RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Life is too short to spend at war with yourself. Practice acceptance and forgiveness. Letting go of the past is your first step to happiness."3:37 AM ∙ Dec 9, 2022769Likes192RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_You don't need more time, you need less priorities.3:15 AM ∙ Dec 9, 2022842Likes190RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivationalBetter things 12:42 AM ∙ Dec 9, 20222,115Likes415RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"It's good for your mental health not to have an opinion about everything."3:10 AM ∙ Dec 8, 2022546Likes111RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"You don't need to be perfect. You need to be consistent."4:55 AM ∙ Dec 11, 20223,855Likes961RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Never stop being a good person because of bad people."12:30 PM ∙ Dec 12, 2022898Likes205RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Healthy relationships are created, not found."5:00 AM ∙ Dec 12, 2022675Likes124RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Everything will suddenly happen for you and you will be so thankful you didn't give up."5:15 PM ∙ Dec 11, 20221,617Likes336Retweets

And, I always like to end with this one:

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people."2:15 AM ∙ Aug 21, 20221,398Likes354Retweets

And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.

If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.

The View from the Front is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support this work and make it sustainable is with a paid subscription. But at the same time, free ones are appreciated, too!

Subscribe now

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Please don’t name-call the other side. They are mothers and fathers and folks not much different than you.🇺🇸🇺🇸

#WW2 ","username":"WWIIpix","name":"WWII Pictures","date":"Wed Nov 03 13:28:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FDRbxV...WWII Pictures @WWIIpixTwo US soldiers armed with an M1917 Browning machine gun and M3 Grease Gun in Normandy, summer 1944. #WW2 1:28 PM ∙ Nov 3, 2021659Likes57Retweets

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Also, if you have a dream kicking around in the back of your mind? Go after it. If you have that friend or family member that you know you should reach out to? Reach out to them.

Finally, and this especially goes to all my awesome military folks listening out there, if you need help, reach out to someone. Please. Call that friend or family member. Do it for us all. We’ve already lost too many of the greatest folks that this country has produced to suicide. So I’m asking you to be brave once more, and show some vulnerability. Take a deep breath, breathe, and call a friend or family member or someone who can help.

I appreciate each and every one of you. Every tweet, every share, every email, etc. I can’t even tell you how much those mean to me, and I love each and every one of you.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Thanks again, everyone! You guys are the best. As always, don’t forget to check out my books. You can find all 11 of them on Amazon.

And with that, I’m out.

Subscribe now

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational/biography book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.

Episode 12-8-22

Hey guys,

Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do two things:

Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

Subscribe now

Take a listen to the show above. I really hope it resonates with you.

And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time.

Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or make a donation at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).

Why paid subscriptions help...

Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition. Again, you should listen to it from the player above.

And what follows are the news reports/source notes of some of the items that I quote from in the podcast.

Source notes for the podcast.

Russia/Ukraine newsThe Associated Press @APPresident Biden's authorization to release a Russian felon once nicknamed “the Merchant of Death," underscored the escalating pressure that his administration faced to get Griner home. Here's what we know about notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. apne.wsWNBA star Griner freed in swap for Russian arms dealer BoutWASHINGTON (AP) — Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, as the U.S. released notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. The swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy p…1:29 PM ∙ Dec 8, 2022148Likes61RetweetsMichael Bociurkiw @WorldAffairsPro“For proving that courage can be as contagious as fear, for stirring people and nations to come together in defense of freedom, for reminding the world of the fragility of democracy—and of peace—Volodymyr Zelensky and the spirit of Ukraine are TIME’s 2022 Person of the Year” 1:34 PM ∙ Dec 7, 2022976Likes261Retweets

Ukraine war: Russian military airfields hit by explosions

Dan Gardner @dgardnerAnd Ukraine struck an air base. Not a random apartment building in Moscow. Not electricity infrastructure for civilian populations. A military target. One side is fighting a lawful war. The other is Russia. Paul Graham @paulgThe Russian air base that the Ukrainians seem to have struck was as far away from Ukraine as Moscow. https://t.co/ZFh0qlx0Fp2:31 PM ∙ Dec 6, 202276Likes19Retweets

A look at the weapons most-likely used:

Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | @ChuckPfarrerDIY CRUISE MISSILES: On 5 DEC, Ukraine is believed to have used modified Soviet-era recon drones to attack he Engels-2 and Dyagilevo airbases in Russia. Tu-141s UAVs, fitted with updated GPS navigation systems and improvised warheads, flew 600 miles to hit these targets. 3:28 AM ∙ Dec 6, 20224,289Likes666RetweetsPatrick Fox @RealCynicalFoxOne hell of an admission from the Ukrainian Government on the recent strikes. If accurate, that places UAF SOF units hundreds of miles inside Russia. Rob Lee @RALee85"The drones were launched from Ukrainian territory, and at least one of the strikes was made with the help of special forces close to the base who helped guide the drones to the target," according to a senior Ukrainian official.https://t.co/N6pPGvFvs6 https://t.co/f5mytQEwdY11:16 AM ∙ Dec 6, 2022259Likes32Retweetsnytimes.com/live/2022/12/0… ","username":"RALee85","name":"Rob Lee","date":"Tue Dec 06 01:14:39 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FjQbbE...Rob Lee @RALee85"The drones were launched from Ukrainian territory, and at least one of the strikes was made with the help of special forces close to the base who helped guide the drones to the target," according to a senior Ukrainian official.nytimes.com/live/2022/12/0… 1:14 AM ∙ Dec 6, 20221,695Likes288RetweetsPaul Graham @paulgThe Russian air base that the Ukrainians seem to have struck was as far away from Ukraine as Moscow. 2:27 PM ∙ Dec 6, 2022582Likes28RetweetsMaria Drutska 🇺🇦 @maria_drutskaHonestly I still can't get over how russia is basically allowed to commit genocide on our land, run torture camps, bomb our hospitals, target our energy so we freeze and starve, but its escalation if we want to stop their bombers & missile launchers that are literally killing us10:06 PM ∙ Dec 5, 20229,019Likes1,992RetweetsAnne Applebaum @anneapplebaumEveryone solemnly declaring that Ukraine must become "neutral" should remember that Ukraine was neutral, it did disarm, and the war is the result Michael McFaul @McFaulAs a Ukrainian friend reminded me today, Ukraine did not just give up nuclear weapons when signing the Budapest Memorandum, but also the strategic delivery vehicles - bombers and rockets - that would have been very useful to Ukraine in the fight to repel the Russain invaders now. https://t.co/FOwTiAv8311:10 PM ∙ Dec 6, 202212,100Likes3,227Retweets@alexbakus #Kharkiv #Ukraine️ #ArmUkraineNow #RussianWarCrimes ","username":"SpencerGuard","name":"John Spencer","date":"Sun Dec 04 03:27:40 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FjGnDI...John Spencer @SpencerGuardAn insane photo from Kharkiv, Ukraine today. Two police officers looking at a fragment pile of Russian rockets that hit Ukraine's second largest city. h/t @alexbakus #Kharkiv #Ukraine️ #ArmUkraineNow #RussianWarCrimes 3:27 AM ∙ Dec 4, 202223,208Likes9,284Retweets@dagbladet ","username":"SpencerGuard","name":"John Spencer","date":"Sat Dec 03 02:31:55 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":1791,"like_count":10206,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/hist..."- Historiens verste","description":"Den amerikanske militærstrategen John Spencer er nådeløs i sin analyse av den russiske angrepskrigen, og sparer heller ikke på kruttet mot president Vladimir Putin.","domain":"dagbladet.no"},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">John Spencer @SpencerGuard"Every day Putin continues this war, Russia becomes weaker, and it will take years - decades - to repair. Putin has not had a single victory. He will go down in history as one of the worst leaders of a state in modern times." @dagbladet dagbladet.no- Historiens versteDen amerikanske militærstrategen John Spencer er nådeløs i sin analyse av den russiske angrepskrigen, og sparer heller ikke på kruttet mot president Vladimir Putin.2:31 AM ∙ Dec 3, 202210,206Likes1,791Retweets#Ukraine. 1/13 🧵\n\nbbc.com/news/world-eur…","username":"WarintheFuture","name":"Mick Ryan, AM","date":"Wed Dec 07 22:15:55 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":658,"like_count":3488,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe... Nuclear risk is rising, but we are not mad","description":"The Russian leader insists his country would only use its nuclear arsenal in response to a strike.","domain":"bbc.com"},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Mick Ryan, AM @WarintheFutureA couple of interesting points emerge from today’s statements made by Putin about Russia’s ‘special military operation’ to invade #Ukraine. 1/13 🧵bbc.com/news/world-eur…bbc.comPutin: Nuclear risk is rising, but we are not madThe Russian leader insists his country would only use its nuclear arsenal in response to a strike.10:15 PM ∙ Dec 7, 20223,488Likes658Retweets@general_ben tells “The Economist Asks” podcast how the war could play out ","username":"TheEconomist","name":"The Economist","date":"Sun Nov 27 10:56:24 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":308,"like_count":1620,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://econ.st/3u1ZmGN","i... could Ukraine win the war?","description":"Host Anne McElvoy asks Ben Hodges, a former commanding general of US Army Europe, why he thinks a Ukrainian victory is beyond doubt","domain":"econ.st"},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">The Economist @TheEconomist“My assessment is that Ukrainians expect or want to be in position by January to begin the final phase of the campaign, which is the liberation of Crimea.” @general_ben tells “The Economist Asks” podcast how the war could play out econ.stHow could Ukraine win the war?Host Anne McElvoy asks Ben Hodges, a former commanding general of US Army Europe, why he thinks a Ukrainian victory is beyond doubt10:56 AM ∙ Nov 27, 20221,620Likes308RetweetsCJ @CasualArtyFanLieutenant Liubov Plaksiuk, a Battery Commander in the 44th Separate Artillery Brigade, stands amongst the wreckage of Russian vehicles her artillery has recently destroyed.1/ 5:02 PM ∙ Oct 27, 20223,662Likes796RetweetsCJ @CasualArtyFanShe joined the Ukrainian Army in 2016 to defend her homeland from Russian aggression. She is the first woman to command an artillery battery in Ukraine’s history as far as I can tell.2/ 5:02 PM ∙ Oct 27, 2022956Likes104RetweetsCJ @CasualArtyFanShe commands a battery of 2S5 Giatsint-S “Hyacinth” 152mm self-propelled howitzers. These guns are used by both Russia and Ukraine.3/ 5:02 PM ∙ Oct 27, 2022705Likes61RetweetsCJ @CasualArtyFanMost incredibly, before the war she was a History Teacher.Now, she’s a part of of it.End/ 5:02 PM ∙ Oct 27, 20221,199Likes132RetweetsAmerican defense newsMark Urban @MarkUrban01US has already sent Ukraine ONE MILLION artillery rounds -to avoid running out they are now trebling production. Production of ammo for Himars rocket launchers being doubled. After years of talking the ‘peer adversary’ talk, the Pentagon now walks the walk defensenews.comArmy plans ‘dramatic’ ammo production boost as Ukraine drains stocksBut its plan for a ramp up in production hinges on Congress.5:01 PM ∙ Dec 5, 20221,878Likes395RetweetsU.S. Air Force @usairforceAir Force and Northrop Grumman leaders unveiled the B-21 Raider during a ceremony Dec. 2. Read more: af.milB-21 Raider makes public debut; will become backbone of Air Force’s bomber fleetThe U.S. Air Force unveiled its newest bomber aircraft, the B-21 Raider, designed to operate in tomorrow’s high-end threat environment.10:24 AM ∙ Dec 3, 20222,809Likes462Retweets@DanLamothe ","username":"adegrandpre","name":"Andrew deGrandpré","date":"Sat Dec 03 03:30:30 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":4,"like_count":6,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation... reveals secretive B-21 bomber in California","description":"The B-21 Raider is expected to be more advanced than any other aircraft now in the U.S. military’s arsenal.","domain":"washingtonpost.com"},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Andrew deGrandpré @adegrandpreMuch of the B-21 program remains classified. Media attending the event were required to follow a slew of ground rules, inclding a ban on cell phones w/in the viewing area and restrictions on how the aircraft could be photographed. Via @DanLamothe washingtonpost.comPentagon reveals secretive B-21 bomber in CaliforniaThe B-21 Raider is expected to be more advanced than any other aircraft now in the U.S. military’s arsenal.3:30 AM ∙ Dec 3, 20226Likes4RetweetsNolan Peterson @nolanwpetersonRussia buys artillery shells from North Korea. America makes stuff like this: U.S. Air Force @usairforceUnveiled today, the B-21 Raider will be a dual-capable, penetrating-strike stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. The B-21 will form the backbone of the future Air Force bomber force consisting of B-21s and B-52s.(U.S. Air Force photo) https://t.co/X6KSU7sy6U2:44 AM ∙ Dec 3, 20221,516Likes222RetweetsChinaeconomist.com/briefing/2022/… from ⁦@TheEconomist⁩ ","username":"StanRMitchell","name":"Stan R. Mitchell","date":"Thu Dec 01 22:58:12 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":2,"like_count":5,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://www.economist.com/briefing/20... failing covid strategy leaves Xi Jinping with no good options","description":"Loosen up and deaths soar. Clamp down and the economy swoons","domain":"economist.com"},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellI know many of you may not have access to The Economist, but just reading this article, wow, China is about to go through some things. economist.com/briefing/2022/… from ⁦@TheEconomist⁩ economist.comChina’s failing covid strategy leaves Xi Jinping with no good optionsLoosen up and deaths soar. Clamp down and the economy swoons10:58 PM ∙ Dec 1, 20225Likes2RetweetsStan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellBasically, China never went through the surges America and the West did because they used complete lockdowns. And China also didn't build up a serious vaccine program. So, they're sitting there with low immunity after three years of mask wearing, winter approaching,11:02 PM ∙ Dec 1, 2022Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellno major vaccine program in place that goes across the entire population, and a very unhappy public who's sick of being locked down after three years. So, while America has gone through its surges and lost more than a million residents, we've built up immunity and vaccination.11:04 PM ∙ Dec 1, 2022Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellChina hasn't, and they have a much weaker hospital system than us, plus a much denser (and older population). Worse, COVID has more infectious variants now than what we originally dealt with. So, they have a pissed-off public, no good options, and an economy that's crashing.11:06 PM ∙ Dec 1, 2022Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellPresident Xi should stop dreaming about taking Taiwan and better start worrying about how he's going to stay in power.11:07 PM ∙ Dec 1, 2022Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellReminder: China has a billion people. The Economist, using its model and current outbreak predictions, thinks 680,000 people are likely to die. And that's likely understating it because China has a weak health system, plus the older population, plus less immunization.11:12 PM ∙ Dec 1, 2022Bloomberg @businessXi Jinping doesn’t want to follow the Russian leader into diplomatic isolation.7:16 PM ∙ Nov 24, 20221,415Likes205RetweetsIran

Kori Schake: Rejecting Authoritarianism

IsraelThe Times of Israel @TimesofIsraelIDF holds joint air drills with US, simulating strikes on Iran and proxies timesofisrael.comIDF holds joint air drills with US, simulating strikes on Iran and proxiesAfter army chief Kohavi’s visit to US, fighter jets and refuelers simulate long-range flights and ‘an operational scenario’; Lapid observes drill from IAF control center6:17 PM ∙ Nov 30, 2022114Likes36RetweetsGermany

Germany arrests 25 accused of plotting coup - BBC News

Tech newsTask & Purpose @TaskandPurposeNavy sailors used laser rifles to ward off an Iranian boat in the Strait of Hormuz bit.lyNavy sailors used laser rifles to ward off an Iranian boat in the Strait of HormuzPew pew pew!1:30 AM ∙ Dec 8, 202218Likes10RetweetsMotivation and Wisdom:

You know, just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. And we all know that opportunities don't happen, you create them.

So, I want to make sure I do my best to feed you mentally. As you’ve probably heard, people often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” That was said by the great Zig Ziglar, and I’ve found it to be true for sure.

Without further delay, let’s just begin.

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be patient. It doesn't happen over night."10:45 AM ∙ Dec 7, 2022961Likes223Retweets#success #advice","username":"ysuccess_quotes","name":"Success Quotes","date":"Sun Dec 04 22:01:01 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":1,"like_count":8,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}">Success Quotes @ysuccess_quotesBe more than motivated, be more than driven, become literally obsessed to the point where people think youre fucking nuts.–David Goggins #success #advice10:01 PM ∙ Dec 4, 20228Likes1RetweetInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"Forget all the reasons it won’t work and believe the one reason that it will." - Ziad K. Abdelnour2:56 AM ∙ Dec 5, 2022555Likes122RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice."4:30 AM ∙ Dec 4, 20221,320Likes302RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qot"I never lose. I either win or I learn."5:09 AM ∙ Dec 3, 2022302Likes87RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivationalBe happy right now 11:22 PM ∙ Dec 2, 20223,485Likes824RetweetsInspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_Weaknesses are just strengths in the wrong environment.12:10 AM ∙ Dec 1, 2022235Likes51RetweetsN. M. Curry @realNickCurry1:23 PM ∙ Nov 30, 202234Likes3RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"It’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do about it."11:38 AM ∙ Dec 1, 20221,134Likes223RetweetsSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Every day, read something that inspires you."11:00 AM ∙ Nov 30, 20222,725Likes574RetweetsMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotNever lose faith. Keep working hard, you’ll find a way.4:00 AM ∙ Nov 30, 2022114Likes31RetweetsLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesIf your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it. - Johnathan Winters3:01 AM ∙ Nov 30, 202265Likes19RetweetsInspirational Quotes @SeffSaid"If you love someone, the greatest gift you can give them is your presence."12:48 AM ∙ Dec 1, 20225,274Likes1,192Retweets

And, I always like to end with this one:

Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people."2:15 AM ∙ Aug 21, 20221,398Likes354Retweets

And with that, thanks for joining us this week on The View from the Front.

If you can, consider at some point becoming a paid subscriber.

The View from the Front is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support this work and make it sustainable is with a paid subscription. But at the same time, free ones are appreciated, too!

Subscribe now

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Please don’t name-call the other side. They are mothers and fathers and folks not much different than you.🇺🇸🇺🇸

#WW2 ","username":"WWIIpix","name":"WWII Pictures","date":"Wed Nov 03 13:28:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FDRbxV...WWII Pictures @WWIIpixTwo US soldiers armed with an M1917 Browning machine gun and M3 Grease Gun in Normandy, summer 1944. #WW2 1:28 PM ∙ Nov 3, 2021659Likes57Retweets

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Also, if you have a dream kicking around in the back of your mind? Go after it. If you have that friend or family member that you know you should reach out to? Reach out to them.

Finally, and this especially goes to all my awesome military folks listening out there, if you need help, reach out to someone. Please. Call that friend or family member. Do it for us all. We’ve already lost too many of the greatest folks that this country has produced to suicide. So I’m asking you to be brave once more, and show some vulnerability. Take a deep breath, breathe, and call a friend or family member or someone who can help.

I appreciate each and every one of you. Every tweet, every share, every email, etc. I can’t even tell you how much those mean to me, and I love each and every one of you.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Thanks again, everyone! You guys are the best. As always, don’t forget to check out my books. You can find all 11 of them on Amazon.

And with that, I’m out.

Subscribe now

Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational/biography book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.