Stan R. Mitchell's Blog, page 28

The Stan R. Mitchell report for 4/1/22.

Happy Friday, everyone! Hope your week has been great and that you have exciting plans for the weekend!

I only want to share just a small amount about Ukraine, just because I feel like I’ve overdone it on that topic the past few weeks.

But, let’s look at one of the big problems they’ve been having: logistics.

The Washington Post did a deep dive on this, evaluating the actual battalion tactical groups that Russia uses.

Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellWhy Russia’s military is bogged down by logistics in Ukraine Analysis | Why Russia’s military is bogged down by logistics in UkraineThe Russian army has overwhelming firepower but is struggling with the details of moving supplies such as food, fuel and spare parts to troops in Ukraine. This is why.washingtonpost.com

March 30th 2022

1 Retweet3 Likes

These battalion tactical groups typically have 700 to 900 soldiers, but as the Post notes:

The Russian army operates with fewer support soldiers than other militaries. About 150 of the 700 to 900 troops could be considered support, and because this formation would be an arm of a larger force in the area, they could also expect help from other logistics units.

But the ratio would still not come close to that of the U.S. Army, which deploys about 10 support soldiers for every combat soldier.

And the Post also points out that if Russia had planned a slow, steady advance instead of its all-out push, the Russians would have “set up secure mini-bases every 30 to 40 miles as it captured territory. Each base would have a repair depot, medical station, and stockpiles so that supplies were never far away.”

This is exactly what the United States has done in places such as Afghanistan, but it is NOT what the Russians have done.

Instead, the Russians have pushed up to 100 miles at a time without bases. And that forces long supply runs behind them, without any bases or support forces to help protect the vulnerable tankers and gas trucks that must make those trips.

Picking off those vehicles and tanks are light Ukrainian infantry, hiding in the hills and woods, armed with mostly Javelins.

But we’ve sent so many of those over, that we’re now having to accelerate production here in the United States.

Shashank Joshi @shashj“Javelin anti-tank systems can be produced at a rate of more than 6,000 a year as of 2022, according to Department of Defense budget documents.” Pentagon will accelerate production of missiles Ukraine has requested to refill US stockpiles | CNN PoliticsThe Defense Department plans to accelerate production of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and Javelin anti-tank missiles so it can refill its own depleted stocks as it continues to send the vital systems to Ukrainian forces fighting the Russian invasion, according to defense officials.cnn.com

March 30th 2022

26 Retweets161 Likes

One interesting thing about these attacks is that destroying the heavily-armed tanks is obviously a priority for Ukraine. And more than 300 have reportedly been destroyed.

But as those numbers have climbed, defense expert Thomas Ricks has made a keep observation.

Thomas E. Ricks @tomricks1There's a cascading effect here: As Russian troops perceive tanks as unsafe, they will not stay in them when they are stationary. That makes it easier to ambush dismounted tank crews--and also easier to capture uncrewed tanks.

Oryx @oryxspioenkop

#UkraineWar: The Russian Army is now visually confirmed to have lost at least 300 tanks since it began its invasion of Ukraine a month ago.Including:- 19 T-90As- 18 T-80BVMs- 48 T-80Us- 70 T-72B3 Obr. 2016s- 31 T-72B3sFull list: https://t.co/QR37xcY8mq https://t.co/MMfVL0MbYP

March 28th 2022

17 Retweets65 Likes

I can’t say I’d want to be a Russian tanker right now, myself.

One other big weakness of the Russian Army was excellently highlighted by Task & Purpose: the lack of Russian corporals and sergeants, or NCOs.

Task & Purpose @TaskandPurposeNCOs are the US military's greatest strength — and one of Russia's biggest weaknesses NCOs are the US military’s greatest strength — and one of Russia’s biggest weaknesses“You can’t eat, you can’t sleep, you can’t shoot, you can’t physically train without an effective NCO.”taskandpurpose.com

March 27th 2022

18 Retweets74 Likes

From the article, which was written by Haley Britzky:

The U.S. pours resources into training and educating its enlisted service members, who become noncommissioned officers, or NCOs, as they promote through the ranks. Often referred to as the “backbone” of the U.S military, NCOs are essential to military operations. They are subject matter experts who bring in years of experience to help officers lead their units, and serve as small-unit leaders across the services. While service members become NCOs at different ranks, depending on the service they’re in, the fact remains that each branch of the U.S. military has — and relies on — noncommissioned officers.

On the other hand, the Russians rely on conscripts and don’t have NCOs. A good article, if you have a few minutes to read it.

Moving to another subject, if there’s one thing more powerful than either political party, it’s probably the military industrial complex and just the pure inertia of the Pentagon. And sometimes, the Pentagon just isn’t very nimble or agile (MASSIVE UNDERSTATEMENT).

Well, this week, Congresswoman Elaine Luria let loose with both barrels, in something you have to see to believe.

Luria is a Democrat, who’s a Navy Veteran, former small business owner, and from the state of Virginia, where Naval Station Norfolk is located. Being prior Navy and from Virginia, plus having been a small business owner, I assume she doen’’t put up with excuses.

And so when she saw the annual budget from the Pentaon, she didn’t hold back.

Rep. Elaine Luria @RepElaineLuriaI have delayed putting out a statement about the Defense Budget because frankly it would have been mostly full of words you might expect from a Sailor, but here goes: It sucks. 1/7

March 29th 2022

985 Retweets5,547 Likes

Her comments are so amazing that I’m pasting all seven tweets below.

I have delayed putting out a statement about the Defense Budget because frankly it would have been mostly full of words you might expect from a Sailor, but here goes: It sucks. 1/7

Once again, this Administration has chosen the divest-to-invest strategy as if whatever future conflict will not occur for at least two decades. Admirals Davidson and Aquilino disagree. 2/7

The Navy owes a public apology to American taxpayers for wasting tens of billions of dollars on ships they now say serve no purpose. 3/7

They propose decommissioning 24 ships; 11 of which are less than 10 years old. 1 has been in service less than 2 years and 2 are currently in modernization. 4/7

All to save…0.5% of their budget. This, along with an anemic building program, will shrink the Navy to 280 ships, at the same time they are calling to build a 500-ship Navy. HINT: If you want to grow the Navy, stop decommissioning more ships than you build. 5/7

China is not a “pacing challenge” when they will soon have double the size of our Navy. We are losing 1000+ VLS cells, with NO PLAN to replace them. (Editor’s note: A vertical launching system (VLS) is an advanced system for holding and firing missiles on mobile naval platforms, such as surface ships and submarines.)

Instead, we are investing in the next “Gucci” missile and technology that will not be mature for 20+ years. 6/7

Lastly, the Navy has no strategy. Stop saying you do, because if you did you would be able to explain how this Fleet size will allow us to defend Taiwan. 7/7

I didn’t think anything could top this, but pulling together her bio for today’s newsletter, I saw two other tweets I just had to share…

Rep. Elaine Luria @RepElaineLuria🚨🚨BREAKING🚨🚨The Navy finally released its Maritime Strategy today!!

April 1st 2022

4 Retweets29 LikesRep. Elaine Luria @RepElaineLuriaApril Fools’ ⚓️

April 1st 2022

1 Retweet19 Likes

Wow. lol.

At least it’s nice to see that some of our members of Congress are trying to direct, control, and guide the Pentagon.

Let’s end with some motivation and wisdom.

ETinspires.eth @EricthomasbtcYou can’t score if you’re scared to shoot.

March 23rd 2022

145 Retweets418 Likes#positivethinking #WednesdayMotivation #wednesdaythought #thursdayvibes ","username":"spreadcheer1","name":"Motivational Quotes","date":"Wed Mar 30 18:30:27 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FPHit8...Motivational Quotes @spreadcheer1Don’t waste time thinking back to what you could have done differently.Keep your eyes on the road ahead and do it differently now.#positivethinking #WednesdayMotivation #wednesdaythought #thursdayvibes

March 30th 2022

23 Retweets138 LikesETinspires.eth @Ericthomasbtcen·er·gy/ˈenərjē/noun1. the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity.

March 10th 2022

120 Retweets292 Likes#Motivation","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Wed Mar 30 13:00:09 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":96,"like_count":207,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosYou are ultimately responsible for who you become. You are in control of your life. Nobody else. Only you. Your future is in your hands.Start.Now.#Motivation

March 30th 2022

96 Retweets207 Likes

That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

Don’t forget to also please consider signing up for email notifications if you’re just a visitor dropping by. That will make sure you don’t miss any future editions. Or you can help support my work by subscribing and paying $5 per month. It’s like throwing a few bucks into a hat. Here’s why you should, and you can pause it at any time.

Subscribe now

As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it! And I welcome any and all respectful comments below.

Share

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 leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter. And if you’d like to support me, you can subscribe to my newsletter for $5 per month (it comes out twice a week). Or, you can check out my books at this link: http://amzn.to/3p6lAnQ. I’ve sold 70,000-plus copies and had thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them.

The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/29/22.

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Hope everyone’s week is off to a great start!

We begin today with Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense for the United Kingdom posted the most up-to-date map of the situation below.

If you look at that red line along the bottom of the map, that’s the land bridge that Russia is determined to establish and maintain.

That will allow Russia to easily supply and reinforce the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally invaded back in 2014.

But General McCaffrey says the Russians are desperate to try to claim Odessa to the west (or left side of the map), while also trying to simply retain the land bridge they’ve already attempted to establish. And as he said in the video below, it’s not clear they can do either.

Barry R McCaffrey @mccaffreyr3MSNBC. NICOLLE WALLACE. 28 March 2022. Russia grabs for what they can get. They’re running out of manpower. The UKR defense incredible. A nation in arms.

March 29th 2022

46 Retweets220 Likes

From a broader, higher perspective, the best news is that Ukraine has begun counter-attacking Russian troops.

CNN @CNNUkraine reports fresh counterattacks against Russian forces in the southUkraine reports fresh counterattacks against Russian forces in the southShelling has intensified around the suburbs of Kyiv, and Ukraine’s deputy defense minister said Russian forces are attempting to establish a “corridor” around the Ukrainian capital to block supply routes. Follow here for live news updates.cnn.it

March 29th 2022

72 Retweets406 Likes

Let’s hope the Ukrainians can continue to push back the Russians and cut off their supply lines. And that America and the West continue to arm them as they need.

I wanted to comment briefly on the remarks by President Biden in Warsaw, Poland, where he ad-libbed the line, "For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power."

Let me first say that I don’t want any president, whether it’s Biden or Trump or anyone else, ad-libbing during major foreign policy speeches.

It’s dangerous and foolish, under the best of circumstances.

But as the political firestorms blew one way and then back another, I was surprised to learn that former President Ronald Reagan found himself in much the same situation.

In a column in The Washington Post, Biden’s support for Ukraine and opposition to Putin were no ‘gaffe,’ columnist Max Boot made the following point:

Yet I wonder if perhaps history will vindicate this Biden “gaffe” in much the way that many historians have praised comments by President Ronald Reagan that were once seen as dangerously provocative.

Reagan called the Soviet Union an “evil empire” and predicted it would wind up on the “ash-heap of history.” Those tough but true words contributed to raising superpower tensions in the early 1980s, but they also inspired many behind the Iron Curtain to fight for freedom. After the Berlin Wall came down, many saw Reagan as a visionary, not as a warmonger.

Future historians might similarly vindicate Biden’s hope that Putin — whom he has accurately branded a “war criminal” — will fall from power even though the United States apparently has no plan to remove Putin, just as in the 1980s the United States did not have any plan to topple the Berlin Wall.

Biden’s words give hope not only to Ukrainians but also to Russian dissidents fighting to build a freer country, and it is hard to see how they could make Putin fight any harder than he already is.

I agree with much of that, but I disagree with that last line. You don’t want to make Putin more desperate.

And I remain steadfast in my belief that no president should ad-lib foreign policy comments. If President Biden wanted to say what he said, it should have been written in by the speechwriters.

What do you all think? Would love to hear your thoughts on his words in the comment section.

Moving along to the countering of China, there were a few things worth sharing in that regard. First, there was this:

cs.is/37AZlS5 ","username":"CSIS","name":"CSIS","date":"Sun Mar 27 22:01:00 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FOiu43...CSIS @CSISThe airpower buildup taking place on China’s western frontier is sweeping in scale. 37 airports and heliports in Tibet and Xinjiang have been newly constructed or upgraded since 2017, most of which are military or dual-use facilities. Learn more: cs.is/37AZlS5

March 27th 2022

17 Retweets21 Likes

Secondly, there was this show of force by America and its allies.

Defense News @defense_newsThousands of American and Filipino forces opened on Monday one of their largest combat exercises in years. US, Filipino forces start war drills in region facing TaiwanThousands of American and Filipino forces opened on Monday one of their largest combat exercises in years.defensenews.com

March 29th 2022

2 Retweets24 Likes

Finally, there was this excellent commentary about what our goal should be.

Richard N. Haass @RichardHaassThe goal of US foreign policy toward China should not be to transform it, which is beyond our ability, but to influence China's behavior. This was the essence of the Nixon-Kissinger approach 50 years ago; we would do well to learn from it.

Council on Foreign Relations @CFR_org

Fifty years after President Nixon's historic trip to China, U.S.-China relations are at a crossroads, says @RichardHaass. https://t.co/Px1GbggQJ5

February 20th 2022

21 Retweets79 Likes

Moving on to tech news, there was a great article on Military.com about the new service rifle/machine gun for the Dept of Defense.

Military.com @MilitarydotcomArmy Aims to Buy 29,000 Next-Gen Rifles and Machine Guns for Grunts to Test Army Aims to Buy 29,000 Next-Gen Rifles and Machine Guns for Grunts to TestThe Army has requested the purchase of 29,046 Next Generation Squad Weapons, an umbrella term for offerings from Sig Sauer and LoneStar Future Weapons.bit.ly

March 29th 2022

4 Retweets17 Likes

From the article:

The weapons are expected to be tested by various units for feedback that will play into the Defense Department's decision on what the new rifle and machine gun for the Army will be. The M4 is a smaller variant of the M16 rifle, originally fielded in 1969. The SAW, which uses 5.56mm ammo, was issued to units in 1984, serving as a much lighter alternative to the Army's M240L machine gun, which uses 7.62mm ammo. That weapon is not on deck to be replaced.

…

The Next Generation Squad Weapons program was launched in 2017. The Army wanted weapons to use a 6.8mm round, over concerns that the current 5.56mm is too small, especially against an adversary with body armor. That new ammo is also aimed to be lighter than the current brass ammo used by troops.

You can read the full article here: Army Aims to Buy 29,000 Next-Gen Rifles and Machine Guns for Grunts to Test.

Finally, let’s end with some motivation and wisdom.

Daily Life Quotes @Life__Quotes"Living is Not a Race; it is a Journey, Something to be Enjoyed Each Day." ~Wayne Dyer

March 29th 2022

69 Retweets267 LikesCSM Nicholas M. Curry @realPatriot_7Sympathy sees and says, ‘I’m sorry’.Compassion sees and says, ‘I’ll help’.When we learn the difference, we can make a difference...Good Morning.

March 29th 2022

3 Retweets42 LikesFearless Motivation @fearlessmotivatRESULTS are never GIVEN....if you want them, you must EARN them!

March 29th 2022

29 Retweets110 LikesMotivational Quotes @motivation_qot"Sit with winners, the conversation is different."

March 26th 2022

28 Retweets109 LikesDaily Life Quotes @Life__Quotes"Doing What you Love is the Cornerstone of Having Abundance in your Life" ~Wayne Dyer

March 26th 2022

12 Retweets38 Likes

That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

Don’t forget to also please consider signing up for email notifications if you’re just a visitor dropping by. That will make sure you don’t miss any future editions. Or you can help support my work by subscribing and paying $5 per month. It’s like throwing a few bucks into a hat. Here’s why you should, and you can pause it at any time.

Subscribe now

As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it! And I welcome any and all respectful comments below.

Share

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 leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

Short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter. And if you’d like to support me, you can subscribe to my newsletter for $5 per month (it comes out twice a week). Or, you can check out my books at this link: http://amzn.to/3p6lAnQ. I’ve sold 70,000-plus copies and had thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them.

The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/25/22.

Happy Friday, everyone! Hope everyone is ready for the weekend!

In Ukraine, things continue to go against the Russians.

Here are just three quick snapshots, which are quite revealing.

Morning Joe @Morning_JoeThe Ukrainian Army Has More Tanks Now Than When The War Began—Because It Keeps Capturing Them From Russia The Ukrainian Army Has More Tanks Now Than When The War Began—Because It Keeps Capturing Them From RussiaUkraine uses many of the same models of tanks that Russia does. There’s evidence that at least some of the Russian armor the Ukrainians have captured has been put back into use ... shooting at Russians.bit.ly

March 25th 2022

55 Retweets280 LikesThe New York Times @nytimesUkraine destroyed a Russian ship at a port under Russian occupation, the country’s military said. The port of Berdyansk, which Russia captured in late February, offered Moscow a way to reinforce and resupply its forces.Ukrainian forces claim to destroy a Russian landing ship.The destruction of the ship would be a success for the Ukrainians as they seek to keep Russia from reinforcing and resupplying its forces as they struggle to gain momentum.nyti.ms

March 24th 2022

176 Retweets813 Likes

And besides these facts above, Ukraine has begun counter-attacking and taking back land. Here’s a great summary on those efforts.

Richard Engel @RichardEngelUkraine making big gains around kyiv. I got a brief (with an unclassified map) from two top municipal officials

March 23rd 2022

2,541 Retweets12,897 Likes

I still don’t know how all of this will end, but I don’t think anyone can disagree with these two tweets.

BK 🇺🇦 @MacroRecon150k pissed off soldiers having not been fed properly, frozen, and battered for weeks on end, (frequently by drones or artillery or AT weapons they never saw) returning home to tell those stories around Russia, which they absolutely will, cannot be good for Putin.

March 23rd 2022

1 Retweet3 LikesBK 🇺🇦 @MacroReconThat will further anger the parents of the dead and wounded, once they try and reconcile what they were told by Putin and saw on state tv vs. what the returning veterans swear to be true.

March 23rd 2022

3 Likes

I’m keeping today’s newsletter short, so let’s get to some motivation and wisdom.

And the first motivating thing I want to share comes from Ukraine itself.

#SlavaUkraini 🇺🇦 ","username":"BonJovi","name":"Bon Jovi","date":"Tue Mar 22 23:07:30 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...Bon Jovi @BonJoviThis is for the ones who stood their ground... Odessa, Ukraine. #SlavaUkraini 🇺🇦

March 22nd 2022

22,242 Retweets86,979 Likes

I watch that video and I almost wonder, is America capable of such unity and greatness right now? I’d like to say we are, but we are just so divided. I almost feel like we’d have loads of Americans saying, “I’m not filling sandbags. The government should do that.”

Or, “If my party or candidate had been in charge, this would have never happened. I’m not helping out.”

Or even, “I’m not so sure it’d be so bad under the Russians… I heard on YouTube or Facebook (or some other stupid, unverified news source) that they’re actually pretty nice…”

I don’t want to be overly negative, but America needs to come together and unify, which is obviously one of the never-ending major themes of my newsletter.

With unity, there is almost nothing we can’t do. Take for example this small town in Ukraine…

@BBCNews report: farmers in Vosnesensk ambushed 🇷🇺 forces as they approached the small community, halting their advance by blowing up the bridge, destroying all 🇷🇺 tanks vehicles w/ help from 🇬🇧 NLAW anti-tank weapons, inflicting heavy 🇷🇺 losses & full retreat\n#Ukraine ","username":"KremlinTrolls","name":"KT CounterIntelligence","date":"Tue Mar 22 22:55:39 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...KT CounterIntelligence @KremlinTrollsRemarkable @BBCNews report: farmers in Vosnesensk ambushed 🇷🇺 forces as they approached the small community, halting their advance by blowing up the bridge, destroying all 🇷🇺 tanks vehicles w/ help from 🇬🇧 NLAW anti-tank weapons, inflicting heavy 🇷🇺 losses & full retreat#Ukraine

March 22nd 2022

5,588 Retweets16,137 Likes

Okay, I’m done harping on that. Now for some lighter motivation and wisdom.

#InspirationalQuotes","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Wed Mar 23 16:00:12 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":77,"like_count":155,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosNobody can block the blessings you deserve to experience in your life. What’s for you is for you. There’s no competition or worry. Just trust.#InspirationalQuotes

March 23rd 2022

77 Retweets155 Likes#quote","username":"Life__Quotes","name":"Daily Life Quotes","date":"Fri Mar 25 00:42:38 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":2,"like_count":12,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Daily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesFailures are finger posts on the road to achievement. C. S. Lewis #quote

March 25th 2022

2 Retweets12 Likes

And how about this incredible story?! Proof that you should never give up. There’s always a chance.

#OnThisDay in 1944, RAF rear gunner Nicholas Alkemade survived a jump from his Lancaster bomber 18,000 feet over Germany without a parachute. \n\nHis fall was broken by pine trees and soft snow, and he suffered only a sprained leg. ","username":"marinamaral2","name":"Marina Amaral","date":"Thu Mar 24 17:52:56 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FOogcS...Marina Amaral @marinamaral2#OnThisDay in 1944, RAF rear gunner Nicholas Alkemade survived a jump from his Lancaster bomber 18,000 feet over Germany without a parachute. His fall was broken by pine trees and soft snow, and he suffered only a sprained leg.

March 24th 2022

68 Retweets426 Likes

I almost doubted that story, but you can read about it here.

Okay, a few more.

#quote","username":"Life__Quotes","name":"Daily Life Quotes","date":"Thu Mar 24 10:12:43 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":33,"like_count":168,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Daily Life Quotes @Life__Quotes"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." -Andre Gide #quote

March 24th 2022

33 Retweets168 Likes#Inspiration","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Wed Mar 23 14:00:09 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":91,"like_count":196,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosFive Simple Rules For Happiness: 1) Free your heart from hatred. 2) Free your mind from worries. 3) Live simply. 4) Give more. 5) Expect less.#Inspiration

March 23rd 2022

91 Retweets196 LikesFearless Motivation @fearlessmotivatThings that excite you are not random. They are connected to your purpose. Always follow your heart.

March 23rd 2022

30 Retweets85 Likes

That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

Don’t forget to also please consider signing up for email notifications if you’re just a visitor dropping by. That will make sure you don’t miss any future editions. Or you can help support my work by subscribing and paying $5 per month. It’s like throwing a few bucks into a hat. Here’s why you should.

Subscribe now

As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it! And I welcome any and all respectful comments below.

Share

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 leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

Short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter. And if you’d like to support me, you can subscribe to my newsletter for $5 per month (it comes out twice a week). Or, you can check out my books at this link: http://amzn.to/3p6lAnQ. I’ve sold 70,000-plus copies and had thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them.

The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/22/22.

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Hope everyone’s week is off to a great start!

Russia’s military continues to stumble in its advances, while dropping massive loads of ordinance on several city centers. (See latest map below.)

ow.ly/Miey50InZn0\n\n🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 ","username":"DefenceHQ","name":"Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧","date":"Mon Mar 21 11:37:50 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FOXt94...Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 @DefenceHQThe illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing.The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 21 March 2022.Find out more about the UK government's response: ow.ly/Miey50InZn0🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦

March 21st 2022

516 Retweets1,067 Likes

The current primary objective remains Kyiv, according to the intelligence folks.

For a succinct elaboration on the situation in Kyiv, and how Russian forces are split and now digging in, take a listen to this. (Also has an incredible map.) Plus, Clint Watts describes an attempt by Russians in the east to cut off Ukrainian forces, as well as their attempts in the southern part of the country.

@selectedwisdom \n@jdbalart \n@MSNBC ","username":"JDBalartMSNBC","name":"José Díaz-Balart Reports","date":"Mon Mar 21 16:12:03 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...José Díaz-Balart Reports @JDBalartMSNBCClint Watts analyzes Russia's attacks on Ukraine.@selectedwisdom @jdbalart @MSNBC

March 21st 2022

8 Retweets15 Likes

Continue to think (and pray) for Ukraine as they fight this monstrous invasion. There are reports that there are some counter-attacks happening by Ukraine, so I hope they can push these invaders all the way back to their original borders.

In horrible news for the U.S. this week, America lost four of its finest to training accident in Norway. An Osprey crash claimed the lives of four Marines.

From a previous newsletter, I had researched Osprey crashes. When I was recounting a story of the closest I ever came to dying when I served, I mentioned in passing how scared we used to be of flying in Ospreys, the helicopters/planes that were brand-new back then.

But after mentioning that, I researched just how dangerous the tilt-rotor planes actually are compared to regular helicopters. It turns out, if you read the article below, that they’re much safer than I originally believed.

This latest accident will hurt the numbers, but apparently, terrible weather played a role in this most recent crash. (The cause of the crash is under investigation, but Norwegian police reported bad weather in the area.)

In tech news, there were a few things I wanted to highlight.

Defense News @defense_newsThe Navy and Marine Corps demonstrated a naval manned/unmanned teaming capability, showing how their tactics and gear could come together in the future to fight in the littoral environment. Navy, Marine Corps rehearse manned-unmanned helicopter strikesThe Navy and Marine Corps demonstrated a naval manned/unmanned teaming capability, showing how their tactics and gear could come together in the future to fight in the littoral environment.defensenews.com

March 19th 2022

7 Retweets23 Likes

In the article above, you can read how the Marine Corps is integrating UAVs with its air units. Previously, smaller UAVs have been used to help improve the fighting capabilities of ground forces.

The most recent exercise represented “a tighter integration between manned and unmanned aviation assets than the service typically sees,” the article stated.

The Air Force seems even further along on this idea.

Defense News @defense_news"We are poised to go ahead and take a significant step forward" in teaming autonomous drones up with piloted fighters and bombers, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said March 9. Air Force aims to sharpen vision for teaming pilots with drones“We are poised to go ahead and take a significant step forward” in teaming autonomous drones up with piloted fighters and bombers, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said March 9.defensenews.com

March 19th 2022

8 Retweets36 Likes

The article states that in the near-future “up to five unmanned, autonomous and attritable aircraft controlled by a single piloted that is ‘calling plays’” is a part of the department’s plans.

Finally, you might have heard some noise about Russia using a hyper-sonic weapon in actual combat. I tend to believe the below: it’s not that big a deal.

Alex Ward @alexbwardExperts say Russia’s hypersonic missile test, even if it hit the western Ukrainian target, is basically an Iskander-M 9M723 quasi-ballistic missile, but in this instance shot from a plane. That’s noteworthy, sure, but let’s not freak out about it. The problem with ‘hypersonic’ and Russia’s attack claimpolitico.com

March 22nd 2022

81 Retweets254 Likes

Moving on to something else, I’ve been meaning to share this from a month or so ago, but too much has been happening.

But I don't think you fully realize the power of the U.S. Navy until you go out to sea with them for six months.

And the two posts below (as well as the video) give you just a glimpse of the sheer weight our Navy can throw at an enemy.

U.S. Navy @USNavy“Our sea-denial exercises with naval expeditionary integration and littoral allies prepares us to counter potential adversarial aggressive actions.”

February 9th 2022

92 Retweets355 Likes#NavyPartnerships look like! 🇺🇸 ⚓ 🇯🇵 \n\nShips from the America and Essex ARGs & Abraham Lincoln CSG sail in the #PhilippineSea with ships from the @jmsdf_pao_eng during exercise #NobleFusion2022, Feb. 7. ","username":"USNavy","name":"U.S. Navy","date":"Wed Feb 09 20:12:50 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FLLkOP...U.S. Navy @USNavyThis is what #NavyPartnerships look like! 🇺🇸 ⚓ 🇯🇵 Ships from the America and Essex ARGs & Abraham Lincoln CSG sail in the #PhilippineSea with ships from the @jmsdf_pao_eng during exercise #NobleFusion2022, Feb. 7.

February 9th 2022

229 Retweets1,109 Likes

Can you imagine trying to sink or stop that much firepower?!

That is not something most countries can pull off. And our Navy has spent 200-plus years mastering resupplying at sea, while also striking targets or defending zones in the ocean. Just an awesome power that takes so many people working together to pull off.

Now, to the best part of each newsletter. Let’s end with some motivation and wisdom.

#quote","username":"Life__Quotes","name":"Daily Life Quotes","date":"Mon Mar 21 16:42:39 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":77,"like_count":360,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Daily Life Quotes @Life__Quotes"Change your thoughts and you change your world." Norman Vincent Peale #quote

March 21st 2022

77 Retweets360 LikesLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesSuccess is not to be pursued, it is to be attracted by the person you become. – Jim Rohn

March 19th 2022

48 Retweets164 LikesDaily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesThe true measure of a man isn't how he behaves in moments of comfort &convenience but how he stands at times of controversy &challenges. MLK

March 18th 2022

13 Retweets83 Likes Daily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesIt is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness. Lucius Annaeus Seneca

March 20th 2022

13 Retweets44 LikesDaily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesPersistent people begin their success where others end in failure. Edward Eggleston

March 20th 2022

7 Retweets21 LikesDaily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesWhen you have control over your thoughts, you have control over your life. ✈

March 20th 2022

819 Retweets4,106 Likes

That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

Don’t forget to also please consider signing up for email notifications if you’re just a visitor dropping by. That will make sure you don’t miss any future editions. Or you can help support my work by subscribing and paying $5 per month. It’s like throwing a few bucks into a hat. Here’s why you should.

Subscribe now

As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it! And I welcome any and all respectful comments below.

Share

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 leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

Short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter. And if you’d like to support me, you can subscribe to my newsletter for $5 per month (it comes out twice a week). Or, you can check out my books at this link: http://amzn.to/3p6lAnQ. I’ve sold 70,000-plus copies and had thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them.

The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/18/22.

Happy Friday, everyone! Hope everyone has had a great week.

Almost nothing has changed in Ukraine.

Russia pulverizes Ukrainian cities. Ukraine obliterates Russian columns. The stalemate grinds on.

Ukraine will never surrender.

Their courage, their fighting spirit, their unshakeable resolve make them modern-day Spartans in my mind.

Two images to prove my point.

Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 @IAPonomarenkoThe man’s name is Vasyl Shtefko of Ukraine’s 128th Mountain Infantry Brigade.He’s 55 and he volunteered to serve.

March 17th 2022

11,866 Retweets73,125 LikesStanislav Aseyev @AseyevStanislavTo understand whether Putin is expected in Ukraine, just look at how Ukrainians bury one dead soldier.

March 17th 2022

11,881 Retweets47,731 Likes

On the video above, these people gathered and stood alongside the road in the middle of a war, all in the midst of MASSIVE uncertainty.

Had I been there, I’d have probably been too worried about money, food, or weapons to have stopped on the road for this. Yet, these incredible people made time to honor a sacrifice and probably steeled themselves to make additional ones, including their own.

A super quick summary follows of a few big things that have happened since the Tuesday newsletter.

First, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to a joint session of Congress. (Zelensky's address to Congress, annotated - CNN)

Second, America upped its supply of weapons it’s sending, including these awesome little puppies.

@RepMcCaul told POLITICO the US is sending Switchblade drones to Ukraine as part of the $800 million package.\n\nSeparately, said the US \"working with allies\" to send S-300s to Ukraine. W/ @paulmcleary ","username":"alexbward","name":"Alex Ward","date":"Wed Mar 16 18:14:24 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":69,"like_count":205,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03.... sending Switchblade drones to Ukraine in $800 million package","description":"The Switchblade is a small, light drone that can loiter in the air for up to 30 minutes before being directed to its target by an operator on the ground, dozens of miles away.","domain":"politico.com"},"video_url":null}">Alex Ward @alexbwardNEW: @RepMcCaul told POLITICO the US is sending Switchblade drones to Ukraine as part of the $800 million package.Separately, said the US "working with allies" to send S-300s to Ukraine. W/ @paulmcleary U.S. sending Switchblade drones to Ukraine in $800 million packageThe Switchblade is a small, light drone that can loiter in the air for up to 30 minutes before being directed to its target by an operator on the ground, dozens of miles away.politico.com

March 16th 2022

69 Retweets205 Likes

(From the story: “The Switchblade is a small, light drone that can loiter in the air for up to 30 minutes before being directed to its target by an operator on the ground, dozens of miles away. The drone is launched from a tube, like a mortar shell. Its real-time GPS guidance allows a service member in the field to fly it until the moment it crashes and explodes into whatever the target might be.”)

Finally, Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered an impassioned pleas to the Russian people themselves. (And he even shared it on Telegram, as well, which is a channel that more Russians can access.)

Arnold @SchwarzeneggerI love the Russian people. That is why I have to tell you the truth. Please watch and share.

March 17th 2022

351,737 Retweets1,060,224 Likes

From a high-level perspective, the Russian losses are staggering, and they’re now starting to even exceed World War II-level losses. (And certainly our own losses recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.)

My opinion firms up with every passing day. Defeat at this point is almost certain for Russia. It’s just how and when.

In tech news, I thought I’d shared a couple of things.

First, there’s this.

news.usni.org/2022/03/16/lat… ","username":"NavalInstitute","name":"U.S. Naval Institute","date":"Wed Mar 16 23:07:55 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FOAb9c...U.S. Naval Institute @NavalInstituteLatest Zumwalt Hypersonic Missile Installation Plan Calls For Removing Gun Mounts - USNI Newsnews.usni.org/2022/03/16/lat…

March 16th 2022

31 Retweets118 Likes

Who would have thought you’d remove guns for missiles? (But, of course, those missiles travel up to 60 miles, so maybe it’s a fair trade.)

Second, this is from my hometown of Knoxville, Tenn. Robot food delivery, now already happening and in place. Pretty crazy stuff, for sure.

bit.ly/36lSgEn ","username":"knoxnews","name":"Knox News","date":"Thu Mar 17 16:00:31 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...Knox News @knoxnewsFood delivery robots have descended on the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus, and they're delivering everything from Starbucks to Steak 'n Shake to hungry college students. More on the cute robots: bit.ly/36lSgEn

March 17th 2022

6 Likes

Before we end with some motivation and wisdom, let me say thank you to my new subscribers this week! Please continue to share the word. And now, here are some positive thoughts to end the week with.

Daily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesHe who. can suppress a moment's anger, may prevent many days' sorrow. Chinese Proverbs

March 18th 2022

7 Retweets42 Likes#quote","username":"Life__Quotes","name":"Daily Life Quotes","date":"Thu Mar 17 22:42:37 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":14,"like_count":41,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Daily Life Quotes @Life__Quotes"Look at frustration as a positive thing. It is the frustration that drives you to improve." John Lyons #quote

March 17th 2022

14 Retweets41 Likes#WednesdayThought ","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Wed Mar 16 12:00:07 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FN-DG5...Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosStrive to hold yourself to the values and character that you'd like to see in others.#WednesdayThought

March 16th 2022

85 Retweets239 Likes#quote #leadership","username":"Life__Quotes","name":"Daily Life Quotes","date":"Thu Mar 17 23:42:32 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":6,"like_count":17,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Daily Life Quotes @Life__Quotes"It doesn't take great men to do things, but it is doing things that makes men great" - Arnold Glasgow #quote #leadership

March 17th 2022

6 Retweets17 Likes#quote","username":"Life__Quotes","name":"Daily Life Quotes","date":"Thu Mar 17 02:12:43 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":16,"like_count":81,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Daily Life Quotes @Life__Quotes"Anticipate Good Fortune Flowing into your Life." ~ Wayne Dyer #quote

March 17th 2022

16 Retweets81 Likes#quote","username":"Life__Quotes","name":"Daily Life Quotes","date":"Thu Mar 17 21:42:36 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":2,"like_count":1,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Daily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesSuccessful ppl are big dreamers.They imagine their future ideal in every way then they work every day toward the goals. BrianTracy #quote

March 17th 2022

2 Retweets1 LikeDaily Life Quotes @Life__Quotes"Motivation is When U Get Hold of an Idea ... Inspiration is the Reverse - when an Idea Gets Hold of U" ~Dyer

March 15th 2022

17 Retweets43 Likes

That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

Don’t forget to also please consider signing up for email notifications if you’re just a visitor dropping by. That will make sure you don’t miss any future editions. Or you can help support my work by subscribing and paying $5 per month. It’s like throwing a few bucks into a hat. Here’s why you should.

Subscribe now

As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it! And I welcome any and all respectful comments below.

Share

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 leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

Short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter. And if you’d like to support me, you can subscribe to my newsletter for $5 per month (it comes out twice a week). Or, you can check out my books at this link: http://amzn.to/3p6lAnQ. I’ve sold 70,000-plus copies and had thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them.

About me

About me: I am a prior infantry Marine, who earned the rank of Sergeant and a Combat Action Ribbon in 1997, and I’d love to do my small part to unite this country.

I’m also a proud independent author, who used to own a small weekly newspaper for nine years that was probably (in hindsight) too generous on pricing to my advertisers and too lenient on my collection terms (I’m honestly just almost too nice).

I also sought to downplay controversy, understate headlines, and never create panic, all of which is a terrible way to sell newspapers (but a responsible way for a media outlet to act). Looking back, it’s clear I had (and have) a big heart and that I wasn’t made to be some kind of cut-throat business executive.

It’s this same streak in me that prevents me from signing any book deals, even big ones. I just don’t trust ruthless business executives at the big publishers. And even if I did, that very same company that I trusted could be bought and purchased overnight.

Sorry, but I’ll pass on that. The truth is that while I’ve relented and signed some distribution deals, such as the one I did with Audible for my Nick Woods series, I’m just not willing to be owned by any of the big publishing houses. If I want to speak out on China? I will. If I want to send free books to military members? I will. (And I have.)

I don’t ever plan to be owned by some New York publishing house. (The only person I answer to on this earth is my wife and I plan to keep it that way.)

My success to this point has been made by doing it the right way: gaining one new reader or one new subscriber at a time. So join me on my journey. Let’s build a community of like-minded Americans, who believe in this country and in our fellow citizens (even those on the other side of the aisle).

People who believe in small businesses and independent dreamers on their own journey, whether it’s owning a small farm or staying autonomous in their creative fields. And when it comes to politics? No name-calling. No screaming. Just honest discussion and a genuine search for the truth. In the end, we truly all want the same: good government, unity throughout our land, and ethical leadership.

And if you’d like to support me, you can subscribe to my newsletter for $5 per month (it comes out twice a week). Or, you can check out my books at this link: http://amzn.to/3p6lAnQ. I’ve sold 70,000-plus copies and had thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them.

And if you want to know just a tad more about me and my journey, there’s this: Writers are crazy, and I’m crazier than most.

The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/15/22.

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Hope everyone’s week is off to a great start.

We begin with Ukraine today for obvious reasons, though I’ll keep that brief. (Matter of fact, I’ll keep this newsletter brief, as well, because my newsletters have become too long.)

The Russian assault grinds on, but you read more and more about the fact that in the long term, Ukraine might actually win this thing.

If they do, and I’m inclined to think they will, it’ll be the greatest upset in decades for sure. Perhaps in centuries.

This summary below talks about recent Russian strikes to the west (intended to cut off supplies), how far Russian forces have pushed into Kyiv (includes an incredible map of this), and also their efforts in the southern part of the country to push north (which have been fairly successful to date).

Most worryingly, Clint Watts describes how Russian forces are trying to link up and cut off all Ukrainian forces to the east.

@selectedwisdom describes the military situation in #Ukraine, telling #TheReidOut that Russian airstrikes in the west \"are all about cutting off the supplies\" coming in from further west and the south. ","username":"thereidout","name":"The ReidOut","date":"Mon Mar 14 23:24:14 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...The ReidOut @thereidout.@selectedwisdom describes the military situation in #Ukraine, telling #TheReidOut that Russian airstrikes in the west "are all about cutting off the supplies" coming in from further west and the south.

March 14th 2022

45 Retweets82 Likes

But the good news for the Russians stops in the south. There are plenty of reports that Russian forces lack food and gas. That their morale is low. And that Putin is desperate.

There’s even this news.

Ragıp Soylu @ragipsoyluPentagon official: Russian forces do not have enough men and equipment to encircle Kyiv, let alone take it — Sky News

March 14th 2022

5,005 Retweets28,766 Likes

And also this:

Jack Detsch @JackDetschNEW: The U.S. assesses that "almost all" of Russian military advances in Ukraine remain stalled, including stiff resistance against advances outside of Kyiv and Kharkiv, the country's two-largest cities: senior U.S. defense official

March 14th 2022

1,540 Retweets7,566 Likes

I hope all of this is correct.

One of my newer fears is that Putin — in his desperation, and with the talk of biolabs — will launch a chemical strike on Kyiv.

It will be his punch below the belt in this fight.

Putin will blame the Ukrainians, making the outlandish claim that Ukrainians used chemical weapons on themselves in order to garner international sympathy.

Do not fall for this. Also, ignore the biolab story. Finally, never believe a single word that comes from the mouth of Putin. (Fact-checking Russia's biological weapons claims.)

Putin has been lying and murdering people for decades.

You would not trust the words of a convicted, serial killer on death row, so why would you feel any differently toward Putin?

I mean, just consider this point below, from just the past couple of days…

Jason Lyall @jaylyall_red5Telling that Russia has the capability to launch precision strikes on a military base to interdict supplies but chooses to use dumb bombs on cities and villages

March 13th 2022

34 Retweets117 Likes

Putin is not to be trusted, and if you were ever forced to have to shake the man’s hand, I’d want a weapon in the other one.

Two quick final points.

Here’s a thread from a retired colonel on why providing older aircraft to Ukraine won’t be a game-changer.

And here’s a Twitter thread by a retired Army General, who saw the map below, and then commented on why Kyiv probably won’t fall, despite the ominous appearance.

Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 @IAPonomarenkoHere is a very, very simple and very 101 illustration of the Battle of Kyiv right now.Just for you to have the basic understanding to the events unfolding:

March 12th 2022

6,966 Retweets25,946 Likes

Moving to MUCH more pleasant news (sort of), I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of clowns, but maybe the world really does need more of them. (Hat tip to Alex Plitsas for bringing the below video to my attention.)

@dreamdoctorsIL as Ukrainian refugees crossed the border into Moldova. ","username":"andrewkimmel","name":"Andrew Kimmel","date":"Sat Mar 12 20:01:51 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...Andrew Kimmel @andrewkimmelI never thought I'd say this, but the world needs more clowns. Here are some highlights of what I shot with the @dreamdoctorsIL as Ukrainian refugees crossed the border into Moldova.

March 12th 2022

4,699 Retweets16,208 Likes

I think the beauty of this video is that it shows that even in the greatest midst of uncertainty, upheaval, and trauma to kids, it’s possible to make them smile. It’s possible to engage with them and cheer them up.

And this is something each and every one of us can do in our own communities, even if you’re simply shopping at a grocery store or walking across a parking lot. (Who among us HASN’T seen some kid with a parent or set of parents that you just know by looking: that kid doesn’t have a chance?)

This might be partly true about the kid’s future. But the very least we can do is smile and give them just the briefest glimmer of hope. They may always come across a book, a teacher, or a coach or neighbor, who inspires them, lifts them up, and removes them from their circumstances.

Until that happens, though, it’s up to us to make that smile happen and keep the glimmer of hope burning.

In sad news regarding our military, we lost another of our own from a training accident. Please honor and remember him and his family in your thoughts today.

Freedom most certainly is never free.

Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellSoldier, 23, dies during training incident in California, U.S. Army saysSpc. Joseph M. Meitl Jr., 23, died Thursday during a training incident at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, in California, the U.S. Army said.news.yahoo.com

March 14th 2022

Finally, let’s end on something a tad different.

I don’t typically touch much on politics, but I have to say that I’m so intrigued by the Wisconsin race for Liz Cheney.

Clearly, she’s able to raise a lot of money, as seen by the story below. But former President Donald Trump is adamant that she must be defeated.

CNN @CNNBobbie and Bill Kilberg were expecting a few dozen people for their fundraiser for GOP Rep. Liz Cheney -- but so many people RSVP'd that the event was moved to another, larger venue. Republican donors line up behind Liz Cheney as she takes on TrumpRepublican donors are opening their wallets for Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, but their interest is not limited to her House race. More than two full years before the 2024 election, Cheney is emerging as the anti-Trump champion, and plenty of Republicans are glad to see it.cnn.it

March 14th 2022

1,064 Retweets9,512 Likes

Cheney’s victory or defeat will have massive, national ramifications. She will have the advantage of probably televised hearings for the Jan. 6 committee in a few months. But Trump will likely visit the state to rally those who support her opponent. These two things will likely cancel each other out, to some degree.

Cheney is even making moves to line up a run for president, if you read the story below. Clearly, Trump is doing the same.

It will be a political clash for the ages, and one I’ll enjoy watching. But from a larger perspective, I’m so curious what this means for the future of the Republican Party. What are your all’s thoughts on the matter?

That’s it for this edition. Let’s end with some motivation and wisdom.

Coach Hines 🇺🇸 @CoachKurtHinesOur words tell others what we think. Our ACTIONS tell them what we believe!

March 15th 2022

26 Retweets100 Likes

buff.ly/2NEkf4n ","username":"fearlessmotivat","name":"Fearless Motivation","date":"Mon Mar 14 12:05:02 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FNzxEN...Fearless Motivation @fearlessmotivatbuff.ly/2NEkf4n

March 14th 2022

17 Retweets78 Likes

Therefore, be a rarity. Be a loyal kind of person.

That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

Don’t forget to also please consider signing up for email notifications if you’re just a visitor dropping by. That will make sure you don’t miss any future editions. Or you can help support my work by subscribing and paying $5 per month. It’s like throwing a few bucks into a hat. Here’s why you should.

Subscribe now

As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it! And I welcome any and all respectful comments below.

Share

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 leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

About me: I am a prior infantry Marine, who earned the rank of Sergeant and a Combat Action Ribbon in 1997, and I’d love to do my small part to unite this country. I’m also a proud independent author, who used to own a small weekly newspaper for nine years that was probably (in hindsight) too generous on pricing to my advertisers and too lenient on my collection terms (I’m honestly just almost too nice). I also sought to downplay controversy, understate headlines, and never create panic, all of which is a terrible way to sell newspapers (but a responsible way for a media outlet to act). Looking back, it’s clear I had (and have) a big heart and that I wasn’t made to be some kind of cut-throat business executive. It’s this same streak in me that prevents me from signing any book deals, even big ones. I just don’t trust ruthless business executives at the big publishers. And even if I did, that very same company that I trusted could be bought and purchased overnight. Sorry, but I’ll pass on that. The truth is that while I’ve relented and signed some distribution deals, such as the one I did with Audible for my Nick Woods series, I’m just not willing to be owned by any of the big publishing houses. If I want to speak out on China? I will. If I want to send free books to military members? I will. (And I have.) I don’t ever plan to be owned by some New York publishing house. (The only person I answer to on this earth is my wife and I plan to keep it that way.) My success to this point has been made by doing it the right way: gaining one new reader or one new subscriber at a time. So join me on my journey. Let’s build a community of like-minded Americans, who believe in this country and in our fellow citizens (even those on the other side of the aisle). People who believe in small businesses and independent dreamers on their own journey, whether it’s owning a small farm or staying autonomous in their creative fields. And when it comes to politics? No name-calling. No screaming. Just honest discussion and a genuine search for the truth. In the end, we truly all want the same: good government, unity throughout our land, and ethical leadership.

If you’d like to support me, you can subscribe to my newsletter for $5 per month (it comes out twice a week). Or, you can check out my books at this link: http://amzn.to/3p6lAnQ. I’ve sold 70,000-plus copies and had thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them.

And if you want to know just a tad more about me and my journey, there’s this: Writers are crazy, and I’m crazier than most.

The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/11/22.

Happy Friday, everyone! Hope everyone is looking forward to the weekend!

One quick reminder… If your email says “clipped content,” then you’ll need to click read more.

Also, a small bit of personal news. My most recent book is now available in audio. And the craziest part is I did the narration myself.

So, if you're too busy to read, you can now listen on the go.

And if we've talked before, you can play the sample and be like, "I know that guy!!"

With that out of the way, let’s move on to some news.

Beginning with Ukraine, from what I can see on Twitter, folks are succumbing to compassion fatigue. It’s been two weeks and the war is horrendous.

And frankly, humans can only take in so much devastation and destruction, when you’re mostly powerless to do anything. After a while, you just turn your head and ignore it. I think that’s partly what is happening in the West.

As we speak, the capital city is being flattened. Just look at how much has been destroyed already.

Jimmy @JimmySecUKDrone footage from Australian 7News shows the devastation the Russian invasion has already brought to Kyiv. All the destroyed buildings seem civilian.👇

March 11th 2022

133 Retweets203 Likes

Speaking broadly, I’ll share a couple of sad realities, and then flip things and share some optimism. I’ll give you seven good reasons that I think Ukraine will win.

First sad thing.

Maria Avdeeva @maria_avdvRU troops continue to annihilate Mariupol. New strikes today at residential buildings. This is the pure act of genocide. Innocent people are trapped, and RU blocks any Ukrainian attempts to evacuate families.

March 10th 2022

1,263 Retweets1,943 Likes

Second sad thing.

Cliff Levy @cliffordlevyThe mayor of the besieged city of Chernihiv said it had no room to bury its dead.“This is the first time in my life when I have to excavate the graves to bury five coffins together. Dozens of people have died. Thousands of people have no place to live.”Russian forces are laying siege to the northern Ukraine city of Chernihiv, the mayor says.Ukrainian forces are battling to keep some roads open, as Russia tightens its cordon around the battered city. “We are surrounded,” the mayor said.nytimes.com

March 10th 2022

165 Retweets268 Likes

Now for the promised good news. Here are seven things you can cheer about.

First, Russian troops are bogged down.

ow.ly/m3JT50IgnaF\n\n🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 ","username":"DefenceHQ","name":"Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧","date":"Thu Mar 10 19:28:42 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FNgwQJ...Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 @DefenceHQLatest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 10 March 2022 Find out more about the UK government's response: ow.ly/m3JT50IgnaF🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦

March 10th 2022

629 Retweets1,530 Likes

Second, it seems one of Putin’s allies is struggling to help with ground troops.

Franak Viačorka @franakviacorkaAccording to Putin's plan, Belarus’ troops had to enter Ukraine a week ago. But something went wrong. Some officers resigned, some fled Belarus and contacted us. Conscripts are massively fleeing. Apparently, some generals opposed the participation of Belarus in the war.

March 5th 2022

17,050 Retweets65,168 LikesFranak Viačorka @franakviacorkaZelensky's adviser Arestovich confirmed that Belarus military do not take part in 🇷🇺 invasion directly. However, Lukashenka allowed Russians to use Belarusian territory and infrastructure. Moreover, propaganda machine is aimed at Ukraine. Lukashenka must bear full responsibility

March 6th 2022

324 Retweets1,638 Likes

Third, Russia seems to have forgotten how to fight a war. Check out this lack of dispersion.

Rob Lee @RALee85Very poor tactics displayed by this Russian armored force so close to Kyiv. They're well within range of Ukrainian artillery in Kyiv, they're on an obvious avenue of approach, and they still decided to bunch up like this, leaving them more vulnerable to indirect fire.

March 10th 2022

10,047 Retweets45,102 Likes

And this is even worse.

ELINT News @ELINTNewsPretty poor infantry tactics here by Russian units seemingly advancing on a road and coming under Ukrainian fire

March 11th 2022

686 Retweets3,105 Likes

In the video above, nothing is good. No dispersion. No fire and movement. And it looks like they're moving down a funnel, with concertina wire on both sides of the road at least part of the way. (Or certainly one side of the road.)

Typically concertina wire would warn you that you’re headed into a trap on an approach route such as that.

The fourth bit of good news is the weapons keep getting better for the Ukrainians.

Trent Telenko @TrentTelenkoUK Starstreak missiles are seriously nasty & small anti-aircraft missile w/three dart warheads.Being laser beam riding, Russian flares are useless to decoy them.They are much faster than a Stinger & all the operator has to do is keep the crosshair on the aircraft.👇

Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn

A significant step up in the UK's involvement in the war: Ben Wallace also reveals the MoD is to supply UK-made, man portable Starstreak surface to air missiles to Ukrainian forces too (the fastest in the world), as well as more rations and medical equipment.

March 9th 2022

482 Retweets2,666 Likes

The fifth bit of good news is that the Ukrainian people are relentless. And they’re not going to put up with an occupation. (This video is from a city that Russia supposedly “controls” and these are un-armed civilians. This video isn’t graphic, but it shows you the hatred just oozing out of civilians. And bombing cities is NOT going to decrease the tension. It’s only going to do the opposite.)

Tymofiy Mylovanov @MylovanovDay 14. Good morning. Video: Kherson - the only regional capital that has fallen. Ukrainian crowd of protestors gets angry after Russian troop start beating up a protestor. Russians open fire (in the air) and that does not stop but mobilize protestors. Pure anger and no fear

March 9th 2022

9,294 Retweets27,843 LikesAs Abraham Lincoln said more than one hundred years ago, “In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed.”

The sixth bit of good news is from this video, which is far and away the best reporting I’ve seen on the war in a long while.

But if you watch it, you’ll see a fortitude and professionalism from the Ukrainian police and troops.

They’re not only tougher and more composed, but their gear is better. Their morale is better. Watch.

#Ukraine @dcinfocus and Feras. With thanks to our local team. @BBCNews @BBCWorld Graphic content warning. ","username":"sommervilletv","name":"Quentin Sommerville","date":"Thu Mar 10 19:15:43 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...Quentin Sommerville @sommervilletvIf you don't recognise these tactics, then you haven't been paying attention. From Kharkiv's frontline, #Ukraine @dcinfocus and Feras. With thanks to our local team. @BBCNews @BBCWorld Graphic content warning.

March 10th 2022

8,994 Retweets20,314 Likes

The seventh thing is thousands are going there to fight and help. More than 16,000 in the first week, though some put that number closer to 20,000. These are angry, passionate fighters coming from more than 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, and other countries.

All of this has combined to make me feel more and more confident that Ukraine will prevail in the long run, though it won’t be pretty or be in the short term.

But the bottom line is the Ukrainians will drive out the Russians and Putin better hope his security is as good as he thinks it is.

And it frankly better be of a higher quality than the army he sent into Ukraine. Or he faces a future in a prison cell or a casket.

Now, just because the topic of a no-fly zone simply will not stop, let me share this link: Russia-Ukraine: What’s a “no-fly zone” and why is it a terrible idea?

Moving to another conflict zone, there was more definitive news about an attack that’s already long been forgotten. But it’s a tragic lesson in dropping your guard.

Military.com @MilitarydotcomTroops Reprimanded After Deadly Al-Shabaab Attack on Kenya Base Troops Reprimanded After Deadly Al-Shabaab Attack on Kenya BaseThe U.S. base and an adjacent airfield were more vulnerable due to a culture of complacency among forces deployed there, the Air Force said.bit.ly

March 11th 2022

1 Like

From the story above, the Pentagon is calling this a complex attack involving almost 40 terrorists. But American troops saw “the heat signatures of fighters hiding in the bush but mistook them for hyenas, according to Lt. Gen. Steven Basham, deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, who participated in the Funk review.”

It’s a good article if you have a moment to read it.

Finally, in tech news, there was this:

CNN @CNNThe photos look like a scene out of science fiction: Robot dogs patrolling the US-Mexico border, climbing over harsh terrain to search for threats and contraband. But these images are real Robot dogs could patrol the US-Mexico borderPhotos of robot dogs patrolling the US-Mexico border look like a scene from science fiction. But these images are real. The Department of Homeland Security is testing the technology.cnn.it

February 19th 2022

176 Retweets504 Likes

Let’s end with some motivation and wisdom.

#quotes #motivation #life #inspiration #quoteoftheday #motivationalquotes #success #believe #inspirationalquotes #mindset #goals ","username":"strategicfutur3","name":"strategicfuturing","date":"Fri Mar 11 18:30:02 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FNlOHA...strategicfuturing @strategicfutur3[IMAGE] Take care of your mind! #quotes #motivation #life #inspiration #quoteoftheday #motivationalquotes #success #believe #inspirationalquotes #mindset #goals

March 11th 2022

2 Likes#motivation ","username":"Sporopollenin14","name":"Adil Bashir Bhat","date":"Fri Mar 11 01:53:31 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FNiIUs...Adil Bashir Bhat @Sporopollenin14There is no dawn without a night.No victory without a fight. There is no happiness without pain #motivation

March 11th 2022

1 Retweet6 Likes#Save #UtilityWarehouse #UW #Motivation uw.partners/anne.chambers ","username":"Annechambersuw","name":"ANNE Chambers","date":"Fri Mar 11 18:15:03 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FNlo-7...ANNE Chambers @Annechambersuw“Never will you have this day again, so make it count.” #Save #UtilityWarehouse #UW #Motivation uw.partners/anne.chambers

March 11th 2022

1 LikeInky Johnson @inkyjohnsonRevert back to your training!

March 11th 2022

207 Retweets660 Likes

That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

Don’t forget to also please consider signing up for email notifications if you’re just a visitor dropping by. That will make sure you don’t miss any future editions. Or you can help support my work by subscribing and paying $5 per month. It’s like throwing a few bucks into a hat. Here’s why you should.

Subscribe now

As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it! And I welcome any and all respectful comments below.

Share

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 leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

About me: I am a prior infantry Marine, who earned the rank of Sergeant and a Combat Action Ribbon in 1997, and I’d love to do my small part to unite this country. I’m also a proud independent author, who used to own a small weekly newspaper for nine years that was probably (in hindsight) too generous on pricing to my advertisers and too lenient on my collection terms (I’m honestly just almost too nice). I also sought to downplay controversy, understate headlines, and never create panic, all of which is a terrible way to sell newspapers (but a responsible way for a media outlet to act). Looking back, it’s clear I had (and have) a big heart and that I wasn’t made to be some kind of cut-throat business executive. It’s this same streak in me that prevents me from signing any book deals, even big ones. I just don’t trust ruthless business executives at the big publishers. And even if I did, that very same company that I trusted could be bought and purchased overnight. Sorry, but I’ll pass on that. The truth is that while I’ve relented and signed some distribution deals, such as the one I did with Audible for my Nick Woods series, I’m just not willing to be owned by any of the big publishing houses. If I want to speak out on China? I will. If I want to send free books to military members? I will. (And I have.) I don’t ever plan to be owned by some New York publishing house. (The only person I answer to on this earth is my wife and I plan to keep it that way.) My success to this point has been made by doing it the right way: gaining one new reader or one new subscriber at a time. So join me on my journey. Let’s build a community of like-minded Americans, who believe in this country and in our fellow citizens (even those on the other side of the aisle). People who believe in small businesses and independent dreamers on their own journey, whether it’s owning a small farm or staying autonomous in their creative fields. And when it comes to politics? No name-calling. No screaming. Just honest discussion and a genuine search for the truth. In the end, we truly all want the same: good government, unity throughout our land, and ethical leadership.

If you’d like to support me, you can subscribe to my newsletter for $5 per month (it comes out twice a week). Or, you can check out my books at this link: http://amzn.to/3p6lAnQ. I’ve sold 70,000-plus copies and had thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them.

And if you want to know just a tad more about me and my journey, there’s this: Writers are crazy, and I’m crazier than most.

The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/8/22.

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Hope you’re week is off to a great start!

Since my last newsletter on Friday, things have hardly changed in Ukraine. It appears a stalemate is increasingly beginning to happen.

Paul McLeary @paulmclearyA US defense official today paints a picture of a bloody, grinding stalemate in Ukraine, with no major Russian movements even though 95% of the troops staged before the invasion are now in Ukraine.

March 6th 2022

422 Retweets1,568 Likes

But speaking from a high-level perspective, it seems that Russia is losing on two major fronts right now.

First, speaking from a military perspective, the Russian Army is losing a lot of vehicles and troops. Take a look at the below video. The losses the Russians are sustaining is difficult to put into words.

#Russia #Ukraine ","username":"Blue_Sauron","name":"BlueSauron👁️","date":"Sat Mar 05 19:13:39 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...BlueSauron👁️ @Blue_SauronA significant loss for the Russian Army in Kharkiv front, a whole Russian column abandoned/destroyed after being ambushed by the Ukrainian forces near Staryi Saltiv, Kharkiv Oblast.#Russia #Ukraine

March 5th 2022

1,703 Retweets5,594 Likes

Second, from an economic perspective, the punches keep coming, too.

Such as this:

The Wall Street Journal @WSJVisa and Mastercard are suspending their Russian operations. Among the debit and credit cards issued in Russia, Visa and Mastercard cards accounted for 74% of payment transactions in the country in 2020. Visa and Mastercard Suspend Russian OperationsVisa Inc. and Mastercard Inc. are suspending their Russian operations, the companies said Saturday.The card networks said earlier this week that they would no longer handle card operations [pertaining to sanctioned Russian banks](https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-consumers-cut-off-from-many-foron.wsj.com

March 6th 2022

251 Retweets850 Likes

Imagine what such a move would do to the American economy if it happened tomorrow? And while we’re on the topic, there’s this:

Dmitri Alperovitch @DAlperovitchThe fact is that it is the unilateral decisions of Western companies to pull out of Russia or break their contracts with Russian companies (when the sanctions are not requiring them to do so) that is driving Russian economy into a very deep economic hole

March 5th 2022

688 Retweets2,555 Likes

And just prior to hitting the publish button, this broke, as well.

bit.ly/3vQOA8m ","username":"BBCWorld","name":"BBC News (World)","date":"Tue Mar 08 16:34:18 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...BBC News (World) @BBCWorld"We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy" President Joe Biden says the United States is "targeting the main artery of Russia's economy," adding "we will not be part of subsidising Putin's war" bit.ly/3vQOA8m

March 8th 2022

191 Retweets488 Likes

The banning of purchasing of oil will have a devastating impact on Putin.

But until something changes, the toll is still horrendous for the civilians living in Ukraine. It’s almost impossible to even explain.

cbsn.ws/35OpNH3 ","username":"60Minutes","name":"60 Minutes","date":"Mon Mar 07 00:20:00 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...60 Minutes @60MinutesThe EU has granted Ukrainian refugees blanket permission to settle in any of the 27-bloc nations for up to three years. But the 4,000,000 refugees the UN is predicting would create the worst humanitarian crisis in Europe since WWII. cbsn.ws/35OpNH3

March 7th 2022

148 Retweets367 Likes

Americans have rallied behind the Ukrainians, and it’s mostly been bi-partisan, across-the-board support. Some Americans are going there to volunteer and fight. Others are assisting in ways such as this.

NPR @NPRPeople are booking Airbnbs in Ukraine as a form of direct aid — telling hosts it's a gesture of solidarity. In 2 days, more than 61,000 nights were booked, grossing nearly $2 million, the company said.People are booking Airbnbs in Ukraine — not to stay, but to lend their supportAs the idea spread, more than 61,000 nights were booked, grossing nearly $2 million. One host in Kyiv says the donations have helped pay staffers who have fled and buy food for elderly neighbors.n.pr

March 8th 2022

166 Retweets604 Likes

It’s impossible to see how this war might end. (And certainly, it’s not ending anytime soon.) But here seems to be one possibility.

Tom Malinowski @MalinowskiAs we ask "how will this end?" one possible answer (more likely than Putin caving or being overthrown) is that the Russian army will start to disintegrate as it did at the end of World War I -- battered, poorly supplied, unable to move forward, not allowed to move backward. 1/

Paul McLeary @paulmcleary

A US defense official today paints a picture of a bloody, grinding stalemate in Ukraine, with no major Russian movements even though 95% of the troops staged before the invasion are now in Ukraine.

March 7th 2022

1,331 Retweets4,646 Likes

Besides the Russian Army melting away, another possibility is that Russian mothers of dead soldiers might start protesting. It’s much harder to arrest and jail mothers, as you might guess, and mothers of dead soldiers from the Russian invasion of Afghanistan helped play a role in the ending of that war. (I couldn’t find a quick link on this, but I’ve heard and read of this in the past, so you’ll have to just trust me and also trust your common sense on it.)

I hesitate to share this next thing, but this is a newsletter on foreign policy, and as such, here was an idea the former president had for ending the conflict. (And since he’s either the leading, or at least top 2, contender for the nomination, his words still matter.)

@jdawsey1 reports tonight.","username":"BeschlossDC","name":"Michael Beschloss","date":"Sun Mar 06 04:52:38 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":2875,"like_count":10879,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Michael Beschloss @BeschlossDC“Trump mused to donors…we should take our F-22 planes, ‘put the Chinese flag on them and bomb the shit’ out of Russia. ‘And then we say, China did it, we didn't do, China did it, and then they start fighting with each other and we sit back and watch.’”—@jdawsey1 reports tonight.

March 6th 2022

2,875 Retweets10,879 Likes

I guess you might call that the food-fight expansion plan.

Sling some food across the room, point at someone else as the instigator, and watch the two fight. (I think this might work in a restaurant, but I’m going to say it’s likely to fail with countries that have first-rate intelligence resources and a bit of common sense. Also, it’s important to remember that Russia and China are closely aligned, and that Russia has radar throughout the area; but I suppose American fighters could fly through Chinese air space to launch those raids.)

While I’m the subject of things I object to, I got some push back a week or so back, regarding my frustrations that some of the political leadership in the GOP had been too pro-Putin before the war… In the conversation back-and-forth, I sent the person some links, but it’s clear that there is continuing (and possibly growing) evidence that things haven’t changed with some on the right.

Take, for example, this video below. It’s one of the most despicable takes of the past few days. Props to the Fox host for pushing back against him.

Liz Cheney @Liz_CheneyDouglas MacGregor, nominated by Trump as ambassador to Germany; appointed by Trump as sr advisor to the Secretary of Defense, says Russian forces have been “too gentle” and “I don’t see anything heroic” about Zelensky.This is the Putin wing of the GOP.

March 5th 2022

20,073 Retweets61,448 Likes

I keep hoping that absurd takes like this will go away, but after he said these words, Tucker Carlson brought him on for a prime-time spot, so we’ll see.

Clearly, the Republican Party remains divided between its more Reagan-like roots of the 80s (that stood up to the Russians) and the more isolationist, let’s-not-be-the-world’s policeman side of the party.

I confess the isolationist stand is a tempting one.

And I further confess I flirted with it myself about fifteen years ago.

But I learned then, what I should have always known: when we retrench, others push out. And the countries that do so are absolutely nowhere near as ethical as America. Not that we’re perfect, but I’d put us up against pretty much any country but Switzerland.

As I heard a week or two ago…

While it’s true we don’t want to be the world’s policeman, if we’re not, then either Russia or China is going to be the world’s policeman.

And that’s something we certainly don’t want. In the end, it’s much better for America to lead coalitions of like-minded countries who seek peace, tolerance, etc.

Sorry for the sharing of personal views, but you should know where I stand and why.

Back to the subject of Ukraine, for now, America and the world continues to arm Ukraine, so that the country might defend itself.

Tim O'Brien @TimOBrienIn less than a week, the US and NATO have pushed more than 17,000 antitank weapons over the borders of Poland and Romania into Ukraine. Russian forces have been so preoccupied that they haven’t targeted the arms supply lines - but few think that can last. Arming Ukraine: 17,000 Anti-Tank Weapons in 6 Days and a Clandestine CybercorpsThe United States has walked to the edge of direct conflict with Russia in an operation that is reminiscent of the Berlin airlift of 1948-49, but far more complex.nytimes.com

March 7th 2022

33 Retweets109 Likes

And let’s end our Ukraine discussion with two broad points.

First, the subject of territory taken/seized.

Some maps, especially those you see on TV, look like this:

#BREAKING Map of the approximate situation in Ukraine as of 12:00 UTC 06/03/22. \n\n#UkraineCrisis #UkraineUnderAttack #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa ","username":"War_Mapper","name":"Ukraine War Map","date":"Sun Mar 06 12:02:27 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FNKjwC...Ukraine War Map @War_Mapper#BREAKING Map of the approximate situation in Ukraine as of 12:00 UTC 06/03/22. #UkraineCrisis #UkraineUnderAttack #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa

March 6th 2022

32 Retweets68 Likes

But defense analysts are increasingly arguing, as well as increasingly leaning toward, that maps such as the one below are more accurate.

UkraineWorld @ukraine_worldWar map. Important: Russians do NOT control territories in the north, east and south, they only control roads marked in red, facing fierce opposition from local Ukrainian citizens

March 6th 2022

4,292 Retweets13,870 Likes

The idea for the latter map is that that Russia controls some of the road and routes, but is struggling to actually control the ground because their troops are universally hated.

And this is an important concept because should negotiations begin, Russia will try to negotiate based on what land it “controls.” Whereas in reality, almost none of those in Ukraine actually want to be made a part of Russia.

The second broad point came from reader input. (I absolutely have the smartest audience out there.) I have mentioned in previous newsletters that the idea of a southern land bridge that connects Crimea to Russia is a big goal of Putin.

A reader, Peter DeCamp Haines, said that he was talking with a co-worker about the idea of a "Southern Strategy” for Russia. And Haines said that the bigger goal for Russia might be the Southern ports, with the stalled column outside of Kyiv as a decoy/threat. 

And Putin will negotiate when they have conquered the South/East, letting go of the country with Kyiv, but keeping the ports with a connecting corridor to Russia.

Of course, as Haines noted, Putin clearly underestimated the Ukrainians’ will to fight and the fact that the Ukrainians are unlikely to accept being a landlocked country, unless the demolition of their cities is simply too high a price.

Definitely an interesting concept by Haines.

I think at this point, Putin has thrown a punch, he thought he’d land a knockout, and he’s starting to realize he’s actually in a fight and he didn’t plan beyond that first punch.

Let me drop one final thing before we end with some motivation and wisdom. Just because I know that many keep talking about (and certainly worrying about) Putin using nukes.

If you want to rest a little easier (a lot?), read on a tad longer.

Andrei Kozyrev, the Foreign Minister of Russia from 1990-1996, says he thinks Putin is acting rationally, and then lays out the reasons why.

Andrei V Kozyrev @andreivkozyrevLots of discussions about the threat of nuclear war from the Kremlin and whether Putin is rational. I share my thoughts in this thread.To frame: I do not believe Russia would use nuclear weapons and I believe Putin is a rational actor.

March 6th 2022

8,800 Retweets29,050 Likes

This is actually a great, short thread. You can read the entire thing at the link below, and if you’re worried Putin might try to launch a nuke, I think it will help put your mind at ease, as it discusses the likely mis-calculations that started the entire invasion: https://twitter.com/andreivkozyrev/thread/1500610676926005251.

Apologies for such a long newsletter today. Thanks to those new subscribers who have signed up. And let’s end with some motivation and wisdom! (The best part of every edition.)

Words of Wisdom @billionair_keyHug harder. Laugh louder. Smile bigger. Love longer.

March 5th 2022

1,917 Retweets7,495 Likes

#Motivation #KeepMoving #DontQuit ","username":"StanRMitchell","name":"Stan R. Mitchell, author and centrist","date":"Sat Mar 05 17:28:00 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{"full_text":"VIDEO: Crews with California’s Department of Transportation blow up a massive boulder that fell onto U.S. Highway 50 at Echo Summit. https://t.co/qaptLooCOX","u... Associated Press"},"retweet_count":0,"like_count":1,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Stan R. Mitchell, author and centrist @StanRMitchellWhen your dreams are too big to tackle, break them up into smaller steps (or pieces) that you can handle. (Watch the video below.)#Motivation #KeepMoving #DontQuit

The Associated Press @AP

VIDEO: Crews with California’s Department of Transportation blow up a massive boulder that fell onto U.S. Highway 50 at Echo Summit. https://t.co/qaptLooCOX

March 5th 2022

1 LikeThe Associated Press @APVIDEO: Crews with California’s Department of Transportation blow up a massive boulder that fell onto U.S. Highway 50 at Echo Summit. Crews blast massive boulder on California highwayTravel through the Sierra was disrupted by a massive boulder that fell onto U.S. Highway 50 at Echo Summit on Thursday. (March 5)Subscribe for more Breaking ...apne.ws

March 5th 2022

29 Retweets113 Likes

That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

Don’t forget to also please consider signing up for email notifications if you’re just a visitor dropping by. That will make sure you don’t miss any future editions. Or you can help support my work by subscribing and paying $5 per month. It’s like throwing a few bucks into a hat. Here’s why you should.

Subscribe now

As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it! And I welcome any and all respectful comments below.

Share

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 leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

About me: I am a prior infantry Marine, who earned the rank of Sergeant and a Combat Action Ribbon in 1997, and I’d love to do my small part to unite this country. I’m also a proud independent author, who used to own a small weekly newspaper for nine years that was probably (in hindsight) too generous on pricing to my advertisers and too lenient on my collection terms (I’m honestly just almost too nice). I also sought to downplay controversy, understate headlines, and never create panic, all of which is a terrible way to sell newspapers (but a responsible way for a media outlet to act). Looking back, it’s clear I had (and have) a big heart and that I wasn’t made to be some kind of cut-throat business executive. It’s this same streak in me that prevents me from signing any book deals, even big ones. I just don’t trust ruthless business executives at the big publishers. And even if I did, that very same company that I trusted could be bought and purchased overnight. Sorry, but I’ll pass on that. The truth is that while I’ve relented and signed some distribution deals, such as the one I did with Audible for my Nick Woods series, I’m just not willing to be owned by any of the big publishing houses. If I want to speak out on China? I will. If I want to send free books to military members? I will. (And I have.) I don’t ever plan to be owned by some New York publishing house. (The only person I answer to on this earth is my wife and I plan to keep it that way.) My success to this point has been made by doing it the right way: gaining one new reader or one new subscriber at a time. So join me on my journey. Let’s build a community of like-minded Americans, who believe in this country and in our fellow citizens (even those on the other side of the aisle). People who believe in small businesses and independent dreamers on their own journey, whether it’s owning a small farm or staying autonomous in their creative fields. And when it comes to politics? No name-calling. No screaming. Just honest discussion and a genuine search for the truth. In the end, we truly all want the same: good government, unity throughout our land, and ethical leadership.

If you’d like to support me, you can subscribe to my newsletter for $5 per month (it comes out twice a week). Or, you can check out my books at this link: http://amzn.to/3p6lAnQ. I’ve sold 70,000-plus copies and had thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them.

And if you want to know just a tad more about me and my journey, there’s this: Writers are crazy, and I’m crazier than most.

The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/4/22.

Happy Friday, everyone! Hope everyone has survived their week okay and that you’re looking forward to the weekend.

Before we begin, please note that many email services such as Gmail have been “clipping” my emails. If you want to see the entire thing, including the motivation and wisdom, scroll to the bottom and click “view entire message.”

With that administrative note out of the way, let’s begin.

Things have mostly slowed down (and bogged down) in Ukraine.

And I’m seeing a couple of different arguments being presented out there in the defense analyst world.

On the one side are folks saying Russia won’t likely win, even in the short term.

You can see that in the video below, where General McCaffrey argues that the defenders in cities will have all the advantages, while the Russians will have to go “block-by-block.” This will devour Russian infantry, he said, while unfortunately also proving devastating to the Ukrainian population. (He also discusses why a no-fly zone is a no-go, even mentioning something I hadn’t considered: ground-based Russian anti-air missiles. Of course, all of us have talked about the Russian planes in the air as well.)

Barry R McCaffrey @mccaffreyr3MSNBC. MORNING JOE. Thursday 3 March 2022. Russians mired down in mud and Ukrainian fighters. A rolling disaster for the Ukrainian civilian population. Putin in a strategic disaster. The world revolted by growing Russian brutality.

March 3rd 2022

4 Retweets13 Likes

But there’s a flip side point being made out there in the defense world, as well. An argument that Russia will eventually take the cities and ground that it wants.

I think Ian Bremmer described it perfectly in his newsletter, which I’ll quote down below.

Despite Ukrainians’ formidable resistance and Russia’s initial battlefield underperformance, much of east and south Ukraine will surely fall to Russian control in the coming weeks. Moscow’s numerical and material superiority is too overwhelming.

Make no mistake, though: Russia may “win” the battle for Ukraine, but it has already lost the war. President Vladimir Putin’s grave miscalculations have resulted in a geopolitically feebler Russia, an emboldened Ukraine, an invigorated West, an economy in shambles, and heightened political instability.

As I stated in my last newsletter, Russia will try to pummel the Ukrainians into submission. They’re going to knock out all services in each of the cities, and it’s still winter over there. (With current temperatures dropping down to the twenties at night.)

Here’s the deputy mayor of Mariupol discussing the targets Russians are striking.

@JohnBerman about the critical situation there with Russian forces cutting off water, power, heating. Continuous shelling for 26 hours, \"they are destroying our city.\" He estimates 200 civilians dead but \"we cannot collect all the bodies.\" ","username":"MarquardtA","name":"Alex Marquardt","date":"Thu Mar 03 11:48:02 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...Alex Marquardt @MarquardtAListen to the Dep Mayor of Mariupol tell @JohnBerman about the critical situation there with Russian forces cutting off water, power, heating. Continuous shelling for 26 hours, "they are destroying our city." He estimates 200 civilians dead but "we cannot collect all the bodies."

March 3rd 2022

287 Retweets384 Likes

It’s certainly increasingly clear that Russians aren’t expecting what they’re getting in terms of this invasion. I concur with every fact stated below.

Rob Lee @RALee85Some consistent themes in videos and reports from Russian soldiers:-Thought they were only taking part in a training exercise-Poor leadership, particularly from officers-Not well-informed-Lack of food and water-Poor living conditions

CIT (en) @CITeam_en

This rare video was filmed by a (non-captured) Russian soldier complaining about losses and harsh conditions.What caught our attention is a claim that they are forced to "sign papers" to be "dismissed retroactively" from the army https://t.co/GqzcSSwVHA

March 3rd 2022

762 Retweets2,930 Likes

And while mud is doing amazing things for Ukraine…

Task & Purpose @TaskandPurposeThe Russian army in Ukraine is finding out the hard way that mud is one of the greatest threats against tanks and other vehicles. ‘Tanks and mud are not friends’ — Ukraine’s terrain is proving to be a problem for Russian armorThe Russian army in Ukraine is finding out the hard way that mud is one of the greatest threats against tanks and other vehicles.taskandpurpose.com

March 3rd 2022

13 Retweets63 Likes

… the Russians have mostly locked up the land bridge in the south.

Bill Roggio @billroggioA look at the southern and eastern fronts linking up.

March 3rd 2022

450 Retweets1,156 Likes

Three final items before we leave the topic of Ukraine.

First, America isn’t pinpointing targets for Ukraine’s military. (I think this is smart from the standpoint of preventing escalation, but like all of you, I sort of wish they would. But we can’t. And we shouldn’t.)

@KenDilanianNBC nbcnews.com/news/investiga… via @NBCNews","username":"RichardEngel","name":"Richard Engel","date":"Fri Mar 04 14:41:14 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":143,"like_count":345,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Richard Engel @RichardEngelUS is not sharing some of the most sensitive intelligence that could enable lethal strikes against the Russian military by Ukrainian forces, in part over concerns about being seen as a direct participant in the war. @KenDilanianNBC nbcnews.com/news/investiga… via @NBCNews

March 4th 2022

143 Retweets345 Likes

Second, we really shouldn’t assassinate Putin, as Sean Hannity suggested. And as tempting as that thought can be. It would violate U.S. laws, international laws, and it could backfire by removing American legitimacy and turning the Russian people against us. Remember, we’re not even at war with Russia.

Steven Fish, a political science professor at the University of California at Berkeley, said in the article linked above: “If the Americans assassinate Putin, they will make him a martyr at home rather than allowing his cult of lies, impunity, arrogance, egomania, and inhumanity to undo him. … We need to leave the honor of taking Putin down to the Russian people, who do not want this war and have already begun to turn against him.”

The third and final point is that this war will be won and lost with these people:

Jeremy Bowen @BowenBBC18 year old Ukrainian volunteers off to war in Kyiv. Three days training and they will be on the front line.

March 4th 2022

11,940 Retweets57,710 Likes

And these people:

Matthew Luxmoore @mjluxmooreLooks like the whole of Novopskov in eastern Ukraine has come out to tell the bedraggled Russian soldiers occupying the town what its residents think: “War and death follows you wherever you go, get up and leave!” Crowd chanting “Ukraine!”

March 4th 2022

1,903 Retweets5,627 Likes

And for Americans and the rest of the world, this is the ultimate answer (in addition to arming the Ukrainians).

Rob Lee @RALee85The best thing the US can do to help Ukraine is to convince Putin that de-escalation is a less costly and risky option for him than continuing the war. Calling for regime change or assassination does the opposite.

March 4th 2022

3,242 Retweets20,523 Likes

And with that, let’s move on. I promised myself we wouldn’t spend the entire defense portion of the newsletter on Ukraine this time.

Let’s move on to some tech news:

You’ve heard the rumors for some time… Now, I present to you what many have feared but struggled to conceptualize.

zpr.io/v62aqaNVSFJ7 ","username":"defense_news","name":"Defense News","date":"Tue Mar 01 20:35:25 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FMypNR...Defense News @defense_newsUS Army to demo offensive drone swarms in next Project Convergencezpr.io/v62aqaNVSFJ7

March 1st 2022

14 Retweets29 Likes

Here’s more about drone swarms… They’re literally coming sooner than you can imagine. (Hat tip: Agnes Helou @agneshelou27.)

zpr.io/BbRbXaybNxCJ ","username":"defense_news","name":"Defense News","date":"Tue Feb 22 16:18:10 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FMNrNG...Defense News @defense_newsFollowing first demonstration, Edge unveils swarming drones based on AI technologyzpr.io/BbRbXaybNxCJ

February 22nd 2022

3 Retweets8 Likes

And there’s been more about lasers of late, and what role they may play.

zpr.io/38wC4wYcFBzL ","username":"defense_news","name":"Defense News","date":"Wed Mar 02 18:05:49 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FM3QkE...Defense News @defense_newsWinning 21st century wars requires directed-energy capabilitieszpr.io/38wC4wYcFBzL

March 2nd 2022

15 Retweets55 Likes

Finally, in tech news, there was this, which still just defies comprehension…

DW Global Ideas & Environment @dw_environmentA Chinese satellite was spotted in late January grabbing another long-dead satellite & days later throwing it into a "graveyard" orbit 300 km away, where objects are less likely to hit spacecraft. Have the Star Wars truly begun? Chinese ‘space cleaner’ spotted grabbing and throwing away old satellite | DW | 09.02.2022Last month, a private satellite tracking company spotted a Chinese spacecraft apparently grabbing and throwing a dead satellite away into a “graveyard” orbit.p.dw.com

February 13th 2022

1 Retweet

One other news note, you may remember me writing we had lost an F-35, near China, which we were desperate to retrieve so that they wouldn’t have access to loads of our secrets and technology.

That has now been successfully achieved, with them retrieving it from 12,400 feet deep?! (I can’t even imagine fishing that deep with a deep-sea rig.)

news.usni.org/2022/03/03/nav… ","username":"USNINews","name":"USNI News","date":"Thu Mar 03 14:58:49 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FM7vV2...USNI News @USNINewsNavy Recovers Crashed F-35C From Depths of South China Sea - USNI Newsnews.usni.org/2022/03/03/nav…

March 3rd 2022

51 Retweets171 Likes

Finally, let’s end with some motivation and wisdom.

#Motivation","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Tue Mar 01 14:00:07 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":100,"like_count":194,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosWhen we get into our comfort zone we lose interest in learning, our curiosity slowly starts to disengage. Always keep yourself at the edge of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself. Find things to master. Stay alert. Keep learning & getting better. Keep succeeding.#Motivation

March 1st 2022

100 Retweets194 Likes

(I found this SOOOO inspiring. Click on the image and zoom in…)

Carin Wagner FA @wfineart5This painting has taken over 16 months to complete. While my heart has been heavy with the war in Ukraine, and the global pandemic, it has helped to look up the branches of this critically endangered Blue ash ( Fraxinus quadrangulata)to see the light from the sun shining through.

March 1st 2022

151 Retweets1,374 Likes

@Addictd2Success: Picture Quote Of The Week :) ","username":"StanRMitchell","name":"Stan R. Mitchell, author and centrist","date":"Tue Dec 02 14:01:16 +0000 2014","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/B3vcqs...Stan R. Mitchell, author and centrist @StanRMitchellRT @Addictd2Success: Picture Quote Of The Week :)

December 2nd 2014

2 Likes#Wisdom","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Tue Mar 01 17:00:07 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":92,"like_count":296,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosIf you get that gut feeling that something isn’t right about a person or situation, trust it. #Wisdom

March 1st 2022

92 Retweets296 Likes#SaturdayMotivation ","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Sat Feb 19 13:00:11 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FL9hHW...Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosYou ALWAYS have an opportunity to make course corrections and improve.#SaturdayMotivation

February 19th 2022

100 Retweets246 Likes #Motivation","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Fri Jan 28 14:00:12 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":57,"like_count":115,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosYou can take a strand of your hair & your DNA can tell you about your body, about where you came from. But nobody can tell you anything about why you became who you are or who you might become. Only you choose who you become. Success of your life is in your hands.#Motivation

January 28th 2022

57 Retweets115 Likes

That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

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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 leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

About me: I am a proud vet and moderate, who wants to unite this country. I’m also a proud independent author, who used to own a small weekly newspaper for nine years that was probably (in hindsight) too generous on pricing to my advertisers and too lenient on my collection terms (I’m honestly just almost too nice). I also sought to downplay controversy, understate headlines, and never create panic, all of which is a terrible way to sell newspapers (but a responsible way for a media outlet to act). Looking back, it’s clear I had (and have) a big heart and that I wasn’t made to be some kind of cut-throat business executive. It’s this same streak in me that prevents me from signing any book deals, even big ones. I just don’t trust ruthless business executives at the big publishers. And even if I did, that very same company that I trusted could be bought and purchased overnight. Sorry, but I’ll pass on that. The truth is that while I’ve relented and signed some distribution deals, such as the one I did with Audible for my Nick Woods series, I’m just not willing to be owned by any of the big publishing houses. If I want to speak out on China? I will. If I want to send free books to military members? I will. (And I have.) I don’t ever plan to be owned by some New York publishing house. (The only person I answer to on this earth is my wife and I plan to keep it that way.) My success to this point has been made by doing it the right way: gaining one new reader or one new subscriber at a time. So join me on my journey. Let’s build a community of like-minded Americans, who believe in this country and in our fellow citizens (even those on the other side of the aisle). People who believe in small businesses and independent dreamers on their own journey, whether it’s owning a small farm or staying autonomous in their creative fields. And when it comes to politics? No name-calling. No screaming. Just honest discussion and a genuine search for the truth. In the end, we truly all want the same: good government, unity throughout our land, and ethical leadership.

If you’d like to support me, you can subscribe to my newsletter for $5 per month (it comes out twice a week) or check out my books at this link: http://amzn.to/3p6lAnQ. I’m confident you’ll enjoy them.

And if you want to know just a tad more about me and my journey, there’s this: Writers are crazy, and I’m crazier than most.

The facts about Stan R. Mitchell:

BACKGROUND

— Prior infantry Marine, who earned the rank of Sergeant and a Combat Action Ribbon in 1997.

— 10+ plus years in print journalism, 20+ years of creative writing.

— Super picky reader, who hates slow-moving books. Also super ambitious, with his sights set on the very top of the fiction world. (See this article: Writers are crazy, and I’m crazier than most.)

ACCLAIM

“Mitchell’s writing style is sharp, snappy, cinematic, and impacts with the trauma of a hollowpoint to the head.” — Author Mark Allen

SUCCESS

Mitchell tackles his writing with skill that will blow you away. He’s sold 70,000-plus copies and had thousands of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Plus, all of his books average 4+ stars on Amazon.