The Stan R. Mitchell report for 2/4/22.
Happy Friday, everyone! Hope you’ve had a great week.
The biggest news this week was the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the head of ISIS, who took over the leadership of the group in 2019. American forces swooped in during the middle of the night and attacked the home. After a brief firefight, he blew himself up and killed several of his family members in the process.
The Washington Post reported several key details about Qurayshi and his recent reign as head of the terrorist group. From the story:
Qurayshi took control of the Islamic State after his predecessor, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, killed himself in a similar U.S. raid in northwest Syria in 2019. Although the militant organization’s reach has diminished since it seized major cities there and in Iraq in 2014, U.S. officials said Qurayshi was planning a comeback, citing last month’s bloody, multiday siege on Syria’s Hasakah prison, where hundreds of ISIS fighters have been detained. He also oversaw some of the militants’ most horrific activities, including its genocide of the Yazidi minority sect in Iraq in 2014 — during which rape was wielded as a weapon of terror.
ISIS has definitely been trying to regenerate its old power. You can read a bit about the prison uprising here: Thousands of ISIS fighters surrender following US strikes on Syria prison uprising.
Also, here’s a photo of where he was staying. You can see part of the rubble from the top third floor, which he detonated at the end. I’m just super thankful that he panicked and exploded that before any of our forces got too close. (I hate that he took the lives of his own family members in the process, but I’m not sure he’s the kind of got who would lose much sleep over such a thing.)
Stan R. Mitchell, author @StanRMitchellIslamic State’s ‘ghost’ of a leader was plotting comeback when U.S. commandos cornered him 
Islamic State’s ‘ghost’ of a leader was plotting comeback when U.S. commandos cornered himThe Islamic State’s “ghost”-like leader was plotting a comeback when US commandos cornered him, officials say.washingtonpost.comFebruary 4th 2022
1 LikeIn other news, it feels like the situation in Ukraine is coming to its peak. There are several bullet points that seem to imply this.
America is sending reinforcements to NATO countries that border Russia and Ukraine. And in that same article, you’ll see that we could send even more troops.
And the weather might be to the point to where it puts a real timeline on Putin and what he plans to do. From the article below: “Warmer weather starting in later February and into March brings with it thawing grounds, leading to muddy conditions that are less than ideal for heavy military vehicles. “It is very inconvenient to carry out offensive operations in the spring,” said Kirill Mikhailov, an analyst at the Conflict Intelligence Team, an independent Russian open-source investigative organization that monitors Russia’s military. “Because the thaw turns ravines into creeks, and creeks into rivers. If you carry out an operation, it should be carried out either in January or February.”
Stan R. Mitchell, author @StanRMitchellWetlands and radioactive soil: How Ukraine’s geography could influence a Russian invasion 
Wetlands and radioactive soil: How Ukraine’s geography could influence a Russian invasionCold weather provides hard, fast terrain should Russia decide to invade Ukraine.washingtonpost.com
February 4th 2022
We’ll soon see what Putin will do, I think. And for those who missed it, the below, short interview was a great summary of the situation:
The Lead CNN @TheLeadCNN"He's under absolutely no threat from NATO. He knows it. This is a game that Putin is playing to try to restore the Soviet empire." - Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark discusses tensions between Russia and Ukraine. February 1st 2022
53 Retweets194 LikesWhile America faces the rising threat of China in Asia, Russia aggression in Eastern Europe, and terrorism across the Middle East and Africa, some say we’re ignoring the Artic. You can read a great summary of this in the below item.
Atlantic Council @AtlanticCouncilUnlike the Soviet Union’s Sputnik surprise, there has been no moment shocking enough to awaken Americans to the threats in the Arctic region. 
The US is unprepared to face the challenge in the Arctic. Here’s what it should do.It’s time for Washington to craft a truly cohesive National Arctic Strategy.atlanticcouncil.orgFebruary 2nd 2022
3 Retweets5 Likes
All right, that’s enough deep military and foreign news for this edition. Let’s end with some motivation and wisdom.
Great Minds Quotes @GreatestQuotesYou just can't beat the person who won't give up. - Babe RuthFebruary 2nd 2022
138 Retweets581 Likes#Motivation ","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Tue Feb 01 16:00:23 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FKhdvo...
Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosFailure can often times lead to success, don't give up.#Motivation 
February 1st 2022
67 Retweets157 Likes
CSM Nicholas M. Curry @realPatriot_7You learn a lot about people who do not get what they want from you.January 30th 2022
2 Retweets50 Likes
Coach Hines 🇺🇸 @CoachKurtHinesYou wanna be a leader? Start LIVING like a leader!• Show up early/leave “late”• Compete in all you do• Empower others• Get 1% better every day• Show up to get better, not just to be seen• Ask questions (and truly listen)• Be intentional about all you doJanuary 8th 2022
141 Retweets483 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 10 military and police thrillers, as well as a self-help, motivational book about Obama, which completely avoids politics or liberal vs conservative positions. To date, I’ve been fortunate to have sold 70,000-plus copies, to thank you to who have supported me on this journey! You can find all eleven books here: amazon.com.
P.P.S. You can also find out more about me, with lots of FAQs about my military background, at my website: stanrmitchell.com.
