The Stan R. Mitchell report for 4/8/22.
Happy Friday, everyone! Hope everyone has had a great week and is looking forward to the weekend!
A few quick things about the situation in Ukraine.
First, here’s a summary of all that the United States has sent to Ukraine to date.
Paul McLeary @paulmclearyIn a new accounting of Ukraine military aid, DoD says it has sent: Over 1,400 StingersOver 5,000 JavelinsOver 7,000 other anti-armor systems And the interesting bit, "hundreds of Switchblade Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems." Last count was 100 SwitchbladesApril 7th 2022
39 Retweets103 LikesSecondly, Ukraine got a huge boost with the delivery of the newest defensive weapon system.
Paul Cogan @PaulCoganBritish-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles are already in Odesa, South Ukraine.With the range of 50 miles, these missiles will hopefully put an end to Russian sea superiority. 
April 7th 2022
40 Retweets117 LikesFinally, Ukraine also received some tanks for the first time, which will do much to help it fight off the invaders. (These are Soviet-style tanks that the Ukrainians already know how to use.)
Visegrád 24 @visegrad24The Czech Republic has become the first country to donate tanks to Ukraine.Czech Deputy Defense Minister Tomáš Kopečný says that the country has sent more than a dozen modernized, Soviet-designed T-72M tanks. Time for NATO to send those S-300s and MiG-29s too! 🇨🇿🇺🇦 
April 5th 2022
2,871 Retweets16,085 LikesHere’s a short piece on what the Russians are now trying to do, as they try to cut off Ukrainian forces in the east.
@MarkHertling explains why the Russian military is focusing on the cities of Izyum and Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine and how the war on the ground is changing in the region. ","username":"CNN","name":"CNN","date":"Wed Apr 06 19:29:02 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...
CNN @CNNRetired Lt. Gen. @MarkHertling explains why the Russian military is focusing on the cities of Izyum and Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine and how the war on the ground is changing in the region. April 6th 2022
310 Retweets1,303 LikesOne final nugget about Russia, as we try to even imagine how all of this ends. Everyone keeps hoping that Russia might shed itself of Putin, but we’re also seeing that a lot of soldiers are okay with the atrocities, and a lot of people are okay with Putin.
Partly, this is incessant propaganda and a lack of factual information. And partly, this is how many of us would probably feel if America suffered a collapse and lost much of its territory.
We would want that back, just as the Russians blame the West, and even Ukraine, for their problems now.
Adding weight to the challenges of overthrowing or removing Putin is the graphic below.
Ben Judah @b_judahHave been seeing a lot of wild fantasies about the “final breakup” of Russia going around which is why I’m sharing this map of the territories of the Russian Federation where ethnic Russians are a minority. 
April 8th 2022
23 Retweets105 LikesMost of Russia is made up of actual “Russians” and most of Russia actually supports this war against Ukraine. That’s what we have to come to grips with.
While we have spent a lot of time focusing on Russia, it’s important to remember that Russia isn’t the larger, looming problem.
I’ve written about China since the launching of this glorious (and I do mean GLORIOUS) newsletter more than seven months ago.
Here’s your reminder that they remain the larger potential problem long term.
defenseone.com/threats/2022/0… my latest for @DefenseOne","username":"DefTechPat","name":"Patrick Tucker","date":"Thu Apr 07 16:09:14 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":7,"like_count":15,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://www.defenseone.com/threats/20... Today’s Russia Problem Mustn’t Distract from Tomorrow’s China Problem","description":"An increasingly complex security environment is complicating the Pentagon’s efforts to ease tech firms’ frustrations.","domain":"defenseone.com"},"video_url":null}">
Patrick Tucker @DefTechPatHicks: Today’s Russia Problem Mustn’t Distract from Tomorrow’s China Problem defenseone.com/threats/2022/0… my latest for @DefenseOne
Hicks: Today’s Russia Problem Mustn’t Distract from Tomorrow’s China ProblemAn increasingly complex security environment is complicating the Pentagon’s efforts to ease tech firms’ frustrations.defenseone.comApril 7th 2022
7 Retweets15 LikesMoving along, I’ve mentioned Rep. Elaine Luria in a couple of previous newsletters, and here she is again, just flat holding the line.
The clip below is just remarkable to watch. (And also includes some very relevant info on the potential for conflict with China.)
@thejointstaff regarding his annual risk assessment: You haven’t submitted it. We need it. That’s why it’s the law. You didn’t submit it last year, as required by law. ","username":"RepElaineLuria","name":"Rep. Elaine Luria","date":"Tue Apr 05 18:06:57 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...
Rep. Elaine Luria @RepElaineLuriaMy points to @thejointstaff regarding his annual risk assessment: You haven’t submitted it. We need it. That’s why it’s the law. You didn’t submit it last year, as required by law. April 5th 2022
2 Retweets10 LikesI covered in the previous newsletter how two dozen prior Marine Corps Generals are opposed to the direction currently being taken.
The current leaders have finally realized the probably need to respond and explain a bit.
Military.com @MilitarydotcomAfter a Barrage of Editorials and Critiques, Marine Leaders Defend Restructuring Plan 
After a Barrage of Editorials and Critiques, Marine Leaders Defend Restructuring PlanMarine Corps leaders have come out with a strong defense of their future vision for the service, known broadly as Force Design 2030.bit.lyApril 6th 2022
4 Retweets11 LikesLet’s end with some motivation and wisdom.
#ThursdayMotivation ","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Thu Apr 07 12:00:15 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FPvWH4...
Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosMistakes and failures are opportunities to learn and grow.#ThursdayMotivation 
April 7th 2022
85 Retweets194 Likes#Music","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Thu Apr 07 16:00:03 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":58,"like_count":147,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_Videos“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” -- Bob Marley#MusicApril 7th 2022
58 Retweets147 Likes@Ranal55: There are many things that will kill your dreams; you have to be prepared to defeat them all.\n\n#quote #quotesmith55 #dreams #preparation #FridayFundamentals ","username":"WillaBlair","name":"Willa Blair","date":"Wed Apr 06 21:15:02 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FPQ23E...
Willa Blair @WillaBlairRT @Ranal55: There are many things that will kill your dreams; you have to be prepared to defeat them all.#quote #quotesmith55 #dreams #preparation #FridayFundamentals 
April 6th 2022
25 Retweets44 Likes
Motivational Quotes @spreadcheer1Your struggle is real. But so is your immense strength. You're not helpless although you're dispirited in this moment. Feeling low is okay. Everyone has phases of self-doubt. The sooner you embrace inner power & confidence, the sooner your life starts showing sign of advancement.April 4th 2022
38 Retweets125 LikesThat’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
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