The Stan R. Mitchell Show

Hi everyone! Thank you for being here.

Each week, I cover hot spots and critical threats that might affect our country, as well as keep you informed about our military. I end each show by sharing some scripture from the Bible (without being too pushy), and then talk about PTSD and depression (since life is hard and the veteran suicide rate is FAR too high). 

My hope is you end each show better informed, less worried, and more optimistic (about both our country and your life).

Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.

If you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and review on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

You can listen here, or you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below by searching for The View from the Front:

Timestamps:

Timestamp: 0:36. Some feedback from the last show, as well as a small announcement.

Timestamp: 5:56. Israel killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, in an airstrike. I share the words of several leaders on the impact this will have in the Middle East.

Timestamp: 19:48. Iran responds to the strike; the attack did little damage, but Israel promises to respond. What does that mean? What will that look like? Several responses shared. 

Timestamp: 38:03. Trump changes his mind and meets with Zelenskyy; why that’s good news, and why a peace deal is hardly likely anytime soon.

Timestamp: 55:01. Let’s cover some scripture from the Bible, which I hope will encourage you.

Timestamp: 58:37. A few words for those dealing with depression, PTSD, or harmful thoughts.

Timestamp: 1:04:47. Some final words of unity, as well as more info about me and my books.

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

One quick personal note before getting to the news…

I may have launched another podcast, for those who are interested. 🤣

Middle East news:

Gift link from The Washington Post, if you want to learn about Nasrallah or get a quick overview of the tensions and religious conflict inside Beirut. It gives a quick highlight on the past 30 years.

Hasan Nasrallah, Hezbollah leader and force in Middle East, is killed

Hasan Nasrallah, a Shiite cleric who oversaw the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah for decades and became one of the most powerful and divisive leaders in the Middle East, revered by his followers as a savior and condemned by his foes as a terrorist, died Sept. 27 in Beirut. He was 64.

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that Mr. Nasrallah “was eliminated” alongside other Hezbollah commanders as it struck what it called the group’s “central headquarters” in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Hezbollah confirmed the death but didn’t detail the cause. The massive airstrike leveled several residential buildings and sent plumes of smoke over neighborhoods in the city’s south.

Mr. Nasrallah, who transformed his Iranian-backed Shiite Islamist guerrilla movement into the single most capable paramilitary organization in the Middle East, dedicated his life to confronting Israel and the United States. “He is the shrewdest leader in the Arab world, and the most dangerous,” Daniel Ayalon, then serving as Israel’s ambassador to the United States, told The Washington Post in 2006.

Opinion piece by David Ignatius: Hasan Nasrallah chose his own fate

Hasan Nasrallah wanted to live and die as a fighter, and he got his wish Friday, when Israeli bombs pulverized his underground lair in Beirut. Hezbollah will surely seek to avenge Nasrallah’s death, but he was the rare leader who was close to irreplaceable.

I met Nasrallah in October 2003 in a fortified bunker in the southern suburbs of Beirut, not far from where he died. For a man who ordered the deaths of so many Israelis and Lebanese, he was surprisingly soft-spoken. He was a charmer, not a shouter; his legitimacy came from his clerical study in Najaf, Iraq, and his riveting sermons, televised during Muharram and other religious holidays.

In a Lebanon where political leaders usually live the soft life, even as they plunder the people, Nasrallah was different. He told me proudly that his own son Hadi had died fighting Israel in 1997. “We didn’t send our children to London or Paris to university but to fight alongside other Lebanese,” he said.

Thread I shared.

U.S. Assets in Mediterranean Again Helped Defend Israel Against Iranian Missiles

Iran attacked Israel earlier today with a barrage of approximately 200 ballistic missiles. While most of those missiles were destroyed before reaching their target, some did impact and cause minimal damage, said the Pentagon press secretary during a briefing today.

"We condemn these reckless attacks by Iran, and we call on Iran to halt any further attacks, including from its proxy forces," said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. "During the attack, the U.S. military coordinated closely with the Israeli Defense Forces to help defend Israel." 

Today's attack was nearly twice the scope of a similar attack April 13 and 14, said Ryder. And like in April, the U.S. again assisted in defending Israel. 

Two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley, both deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean, fired a dozen interceptors at incoming Iranian ballistic missiles as part of defending Israel. At this time, Ryder said, it is unknown if those interceptors took down any of the missiles. 

Ryder also said initial assessments are that all the missiles fired were actually launched from Iran, not from proxy states, and Iran did indeed plan to cause a significant amount of harm in Israel. 

Hezbollah’s downfall exposes Iran’s weakness and reshapes the Middle East

Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last Friday didn’t just deal a crushing blow to the once-fearsome Lebanese militia. It also exposed Iran’s vulnerabilities and marked a pivotal shift in the region’s balance of power.

The death of Nasrallah caps several weeks of successful Israeli strikes against Hezbollah’s military capabilities and chain of command that have left the group weaker than it has been in almost two decades.

Israel is now pressing its advantage with a limited ground incursion into southern Lebanon – the natural conclusion of the sabotage, bombing, and assassination campaign of the 10 days prior. The end goal of the operation remains the same: to clear the area south of the Litani River of Hezbollah fighters, weapons depots, and infrastructure in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to safely return the 60,000 displaced Israelis to their homes in the north. The IDF has indicated the targeted offensive is expected to stay close to the border and end within weeks, as opposed to a more protracted occupation of extensive Lebanese territory (best-laid plans, though …).

Hezbollah would normally be expected to respond to such an escalation with heavy missile and rocket strikes on Israeli military installations, civilian infrastructure, and densely populated urban areas. That hasn’t happened. At the very least, Hezbollah could be counted on to defend its strongholds. Yet Israel’s ground offensive has met virtually no resistance thus far.

…

It’s become even harder to imagine Iran, its patron, reacting sharply to Israel’s escalations and risking a regional war that could draw the United States into the fight.

For starters, the Islamic Republic lacks good options to effectively retaliate against the Jewish state without inviting devastation to its homeland. That is especially true now that Hezbollah, previously the leading edge of Iran’s efforts to deter Israel, is reeling from Nasrallah’s death. Apart from its impressive array of ballistic missiles, most of Iran’s military is built upon Cold War-era hardware. It is no match for Israel’s overwhelmingly superior technological, intelligence, and military capabilities, let alone its nuclear weapons. A direct conventional conflict with Israel would not go Tehran’s way – and that’s before you bring the US military into the equation.

U.S. news:

Your reminder for the week, in case you duck the scripture in the next part: Be a part of community, if nothing else.

Your scripture for the week:

Let’s end the show with some scripture, because I know that life is hard and sometimes, you just need to hear something that will lift you up.

I always like to share some verses from the Bible, or quotes that touch on the Bible/Jesus, because my Christian faith has become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years, since losing my Mom and now worrying an awful lot about my Dad and his serious memory problems.

I’m betting you have something really challenging going on in your life, as well. (And if you don’t, I can guarantee it’s coming. That’s how life goes.) So, I hope by sharing some of these, it might encourage you to get into the Bible yourself. Because I think it’ll change your life, if you let it.

As a final scripture reminder, do not grow weary in doing good. Even if you’re just helping one hungry kid or donating one school backpack, that might not solve world hunger or fix everything in our country (or your neighborhood), but you are doing good.

So, don’t feel overwhelmed by the size of the world’s problems.

The final thing that I want to do is something I do in every show. 

I want to talk to you just for a moment about depression, PTSD, and even suicide for just a moment.

I do this because veterans are at 57% higher risk of suicide than their peers of the same age group of folks who haven’t served. 

But this section isn’t just for veterans. I know we can all get in really low spots in our lives so I just want to remind people that it’s a season. 

It’s a valley. So when you’re in that thick, deep, tough situation that just seems like you can’t see over it, just remember it. It’s just a season. It’s just a valley, like I said.

Now, if you are having serious issues, you can call 988 and select 1 and you can talk to a crisis-line responder anytime day or night. 

And you can do this whether you’re a civilian or a veteran, but I do know that this is hard to do and I know most of you who are struggling probably won’t do so. 

As such, I have to be a little mean here because the fact is is when we’ve had a drill instructor or a tough coach in the past who pushed us, you experienced that you can go further than when it’s just you.

So I’m gonna be mean for a moment and I have to remind you guys that you cannot give up. You can’t give in to those really terrible thoughts you’re having.

I don’t want you to lose this fight. I don’t want you to make your parents or your family have to plan your funeral. 

I don’t want them to feel guilty that they didn’t check on you for that. That they couldn’t reach you. 

I want you to know that you can hold on for another day, and I think if you do, I think the next day is gonna be a little easier.

Now again, if you’re in a fight that you worry you may lose, please call someone. Call a friend or a family member. 

This is really easy to do and I beg of you to do so. We have all lost friends that we wish had reached out to us, so again reach out to one of them. Just be honest. Say that you’re struggling right now and can’t catch a break.

But again, you can also call 988. Select 1.

As I said, whatever you do, please do not quit. You’re just in a valley and this world needs you. Probably, if we’re honest, your parents need you, as well. Because seriously, who’s going take care of your parents in 30 years? Or in 10 years? Or whatever age you are?

And I’m serious about this. I just helped take care of my Mom before she passed. 

I help take care of my Dad, who’s dealing with some pretty serious memory issues.

So I just wanna ask you who’s gonna do it? Are you just gonna let the system take care of them? How horrible is that?!

So the broader point is you cannot quit and you need to think beyond the season that you’re in and realize that there’s something you’re meant to do -- you just can’t see it. Because like I said earlier, in this immediate fog and pain, you can’t see the end result, but I believe that there’s a mission for you to do.

I believe that God has a mission for you to do. Maybe it’s coach a little league team. Maybe it’s to help others with PTSD. Maybe you’re supposed to run for office. 

Whatever it is, I believe there’s some calling for you and you haven’t found it. 

But I want to encourage you to get involved.

Stop isolating yourself. Visit a veterans group, such as the VFW. Something like that.

Maybe visit a church near you. Maybe visit some family you’ve lost touch with. Maybe call or text that friend you’ve grown apart with. 

Reach out to the long-lost friend from high school. Or the one from the military you haven’t talked with in years. I’ll bet they’re dying to talk to you.

But again if you’re struggling, I beg of you to call 988, select 1. 

Also, and this is my personal suggestion if you’re not absolutely opposed to it, I would suggest that you start moving closer to God. 

Start reading the Bible, if you never have. I really do think that will help. You can read some of Psalms or Proverbs, and then you can start with the New Testament in the Book of John. 

I think you’ll find the Bible will start drawing you in and I think it’ll start changing your life. If you don’t have a Bible, you can download the Bible app on your phone or you can look it up online there. There are dozens of sights with it on there.

But again, the broader point is I just want to encourage you not to give up. There’s a plan for you. I really hope that you won’t give up and that you’ll reach out to God or maybe check out the Bible as I’ve mentioned so many times.

If that’s not your thing, or if you’re not ready for that step, I hope you try to surround yourself with some more community or some more friends.

I know a lot of the websites say to not guilt someone who’s thinking about suicide. That such a thing is cruel, but I sadly think that suicide is the easy way out. 

It’s a short-term solution to what you think is a complicated problem that you can’t solve. 

And trust me. I’m not stupid. I know life is hard. I know going on whether it’s in life or a marathon or a really long rucksack run or forced march in the military, I know to keep going is often more painful. There’s no doubt about that. But it’s also the right answer.

Not only will you get tougher and stronger and have more endurance, but if you fall out of that race, someone’s got to carry your gear. Someone’s got to care for you. Or maybe your team arrives at the mission objective with fewer people, which is gonna lead to more strain and danger and probably higher casualties to those around you.

And unfortunately, that same thing happens if you decide to pull the plug and check out in regular life. Somebody’s going to have to carry your load. Somebody’s going to have to care for your family or for your parents. Someone’s going to have to plan your funeral. Someone is going to have to deal with all the things that you left hanging out there. 

So, I know it sounds like I’m trying to guilt you, and I’m really not trying to, but I just want you to think about these things when you are in the lowest point in your life. That really dark place. Please think of others. 

You’re a good person. And I just think you’re stronger than what you think you are right now. 

And as such, I just encourage you to keep fighting. Please keep taking that next step.

Before we end, I always like to end each week’s edition with this one:

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

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

Here are those links again if you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

Also, all posts are free, so feel free to share. (And in that line of thinking, it seems like all the social media sites I’m on throttle down my posts when they have a link to Substack, so if you could forward this to a person or two that might be interested, and ask them to consider signing up for free, it’d sure help me a lot!)

The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for this edition.

Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?

Go here:

Dealing with PTSD? Emotionally or mentally at rock bottom? Here’s the link to my faith newsletter: Be like Ozzie; go near your master. (The power of prayer. Part 1.)

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

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

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

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

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.

Finally, I also write a faith blog about God and the Bible. (As a child, I was wounded badly by the church and left it to study other religions, before returning to the faith of my roots.)

#mil #podcast #military #ukraine #china #russia #RussiaUkraineWar #motivation #inspiration #Bible #usmc #army #navy #airforce #politics #defensenews #OSINT #theviewfromthefront 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you for being here. Each week, I cover hot spots and critical threats that might affect our country, as well as keep you informed about our military. I end each show by sharing some scripture from the Bible (without being too pushy), and then talk about PTSD and depression (since life is hard and the veteran suicide rate is FAR too high). 

My hope is you end each show better informed, less worried, and more optimistic (about both our country and your life).

Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.

If you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

You can listen here, or you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below by searching for The View from the Front:

Timestamps:

Timestamp: 2:11. We do a terrible job reaching out to older folks around us, and now more than 16 million elderly Americans are living alone. Please reach out to those older folks who are around you. Be a light and blessing to them!

Timestamp: 6:54. The United States is preparing for a potentially very dangerous mission in the Middle East. I discuss. 

Timestamp: 16:27. Former President Donald Trump made some controversial comments regarding Ukraine that I need to do a fact check on for the record (same as I was critical of President Biden for his botched withdrawal of Afghanistan).

Timestamp: 28:27. UK foreign minister David Lammy EVISCERATES Putin and his UN ambassador at the United Nations.

Timestamp: 33:19. The leader of NATO makes the case for why the West should continue to give Ukraine more weapons.

Timestamp: 34:59. What Professor Timothy Snyder thinks it will take for Russia to see peace.

Timestamp: 41:24. An update on the ammunition dump that Ukraine hit last week; plus details on a second ammo dump just hit.

Timestamp: 44:47. The Kursk Offensive has thrown Russia's Ukraine war strategy into chaos. 

Timestamp: 51:02. Let’s cover some scripture from the Bible, which I hope will encourage you and ground you. I truly do desire to help lift you up.

Timestamp: 54:18. A few words for those who are dealing with depression, PTSD, or thoughts of suicide.

Timestamp: 1:00:29. Some final words of unity, as well as more information about me and my books.

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

U.S. news:

Israel launches ‘extensive’ strikes on Hezbollah; Lebanon says hundreds killed, more than 1,600 injured

Israel calls up reservists, telling troops to prepare for Lebanon incursion

US troops deployed to Cyprus as fears of wider Middle East war intensify

Ukraine news:

A brief recap of the actual facts of the Russian invasion.

Update on Ukraine’s attack last week on the ammunition dump:

A second ammunition dump has been struck.

Ukrainian Drones Just Blew Up 2,000 Tons Of Ammo in Southern Russia

And a great reminder of a detail that apparently many in the Biden Administration want to ignore.

The Kursk Offensive has thrown Russia's Ukraine war strategy into chaos

Your reminder for the week, in case you duck the scripture in the next part: Be a part of community, if nothing else.

Your scripture for the week:

Let’s end the show with some scripture, because I know that life is hard and sometimes, you just need to hear something that will lift you up.

I always like to share some verses from the Bible, or quotes that touch on the Bible/Jesus, because my Christian faith has become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years, since losing my Mom and now worrying an awful lot about my Dad and his serious memory problems.

I’m betting you have something really challenging going on in your life, as well. (And if you don’t, I can guarantee it’s coming. That’s how life goes.) So, I hope by sharing some of these, it might encourage you to get into the Bible yourself. Because I think it’ll change your life, if you let it.

* 'Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”' — Matthew 11:28-30

* 'Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. ' — Psalms 51:10-12

* 'Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. ' — Hebrews 10:23-25

* 'Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” ' — Hebrews 13:5-6

As a final scripture reminder, do not grow weary in doing good. Even if you’re just helping one hungry kid or donating one school backpack, that might not solve world hunger or fix everything in our country (or your neighborhood), but you are doing good.

So, don’t feel overwhelmed by the size of the world’s problems.

The final thing that I want to do is something I do in every show. 

I want to talk to you just for a moment about depression, PTSD, and even suicide for just a moment.

I do this because veterans are at 57% higher risk of suicide than their peers of the same age group of folks who haven’t served. 

But this section isn’t just for veterans. I know we can all get in really low spots in our lives so I just want to remind people that it’s a season. 

It’s a valley. So when you’re in that thick, deep, tough situation that just seems like you can’t see over it, just remember it. It’s just a season. It’s just a valley, like I said.

Now, if you are having serious issues, you can call 988 and select 1 and you can talk to a crisis-line responder anytime day or night. 

And you can do this whether you’re a civilian or a veteran, but I do know that this is hard to do and I know most of you who are struggling probably won’t do so. 

As such, I have to be a little mean here because the fact is is when we’ve had a drill instructor or a tough coach in the past who pushed us, you experienced that you can go further than when it’s just you.

So I’m gonna be mean for a moment and I have to remind you guys that you cannot give up. You can’t give in to those really terrible thoughts you’re having.

I don’t want you to lose this fight. I don’t want you to make your parents or your family have to plan your funeral. 

I don’t want them to feel guilty that they didn’t check on you for that. That they couldn’t reach you. 

I want you to know that you can hold on for another day, and I think if you do, I think the next day is gonna be a little easier.

Now again, if you’re in a fight that you worry you may lose, please call someone. Call a friend or a family member. 

This is really easy to do and I beg of you to do so. We have all lost friends that we wish had reached out to us, so again reach out to one of them. Just be honest. Say that you’re struggling right now and can’t catch a break.

But again, you can also call 988. Select 1.

As I said, whatever you do, please do not quit. You’re just in a valley and this world needs you. Probably, if we’re honest, your parents need you, as well. Because seriously, who’s going take care of your parents in 30 years? Or in 10 years? Or whatever age you are?

And I’m serious about this. I just helped take care of my Mom before she passed. 

I help take care of my Dad, who’s dealing with some pretty serious memory issues.

So I just wanna ask you who’s gonna do it? Are you just gonna let the system take care of them? How horrible is that?!

So the broader point is you cannot quit and you need to think beyond the season that you’re in and realize that there’s something you’re meant to do -- you just can’t see it. Because like I said earlier, in this immediate fog and pain, you can’t see the end result, but I believe that there’s a mission for you to do.

I believe that God has a mission for you to do. Maybe it’s coach a little league team. Maybe it’s to help others with PTSD. Maybe you’re supposed to run for office. 

Whatever it is, I believe there’s some calling for you and you haven’t found it. 

But I want to encourage you to get involved.

Stop isolating yourself. Visit a veterans group, such as the VFW. Something like that.

Maybe visit a church near you. Maybe visit some family you’ve lost touch with. Maybe call or text that friend you’ve grown apart with. 

Reach out to the long-lost friend from high school. Or the one from the military you haven’t talked with in years. I’ll bet they’re dying to talk to you.

But again if you’re struggling, I beg of you to call 988, select 1. 

Also, and this is my personal suggestion if you’re not absolutely opposed to it, I would suggest that you start moving closer to God. 

Start reading the Bible, if you never have. I really do think that will help. You can read some of Psalms or Proverbs, and then you can start with the New Testament in the Book of John. 

I think you’ll find the Bible will start drawing you in and I think it’ll start changing your life. If you don’t have a Bible, you can download the Bible app on your phone or you can look it up online there. There are dozens of sights with it on there.

But again, the broader point is I just want to encourage you not to give up. There’s a plan for you. I really hope that you won’t give up and that you’ll reach out to God or maybe check out the Bible as I’ve mentioned so many times.

If that’s not your thing, or if you’re not ready for that step, I hope you try to surround yourself with some more community or some more friends.

I know a lot of the websites say to not guilt someone who’s thinking about suicide. That such a thing is cruel, but I sadly think that suicide is the easy way out. 

It’s a short-term solution to what you think is a complicated problem that you can’t solve. 

And trust me. I’m not stupid. I know life is hard. I know going on whether it’s in life or a marathon or a really long rucksack run or forced march in the military, I know to keep going is often more painful. There’s no doubt about that. But it’s also the right answer.

Not only will you get tougher and stronger and have more endurance, but if you fall out of that race, someone’s got to carry your gear. Someone’s got to care for you. Or maybe your team arrives at the mission objective with fewer people, which is gonna lead to more strain and danger and probably higher casualties to those around you.

And unfortunately, that same thing happens if you decide to pull the plug and check out in regular life. Somebody’s going to have to carry your load. Somebody’s going to have to care for your family or for your parents. Someone’s going to have to plan your funeral. Someone is going to have to deal with all the things that you left hanging out there. 

So, I know it sounds like I’m trying to guilt you, and I’m really not trying to, but I just want you to think about these things when you are in the lowest point in your life. That really dark place. Please think of others. 

You’re a good person. And I just think you’re stronger than what you think you are right now. 

And as such, I just encourage you to keep fighting. Please keep taking that next step.

Before we end, I always like to end each week’s edition with this one:

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

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

Here are those links again if you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

Also, all posts are free, so feel free to share. (And in that line of thinking, it seems like all the social media sites I’m on throttle down my posts when they have a link to Substack, so if you could forward this to a person or two that might be interested, and ask them to consider signing up for free, it’d sure help me a lot!)

The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for this edition.

Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?

Go here:

Dealing with PTSD? Emotionally or mentally at rock bottom? Here’s the link to my faith newsletter: Be like Ozzie; go near your master. (The power of prayer. Part 1.)

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

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

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

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

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.

Finally, I also write a faith blog about God and the Bible. (As a child, I was wounded badly by the church and left it to study other religions, before returning to the faith of my roots.)

#mil #podcast #military #ukraine #china #russia #RussiaUkraineWar #motivation #inspiration #Bible #usmc #army #navy #airforce #politics #defensenews #OSINT #theviewfromthefront 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone!

Thank you for being here.

Each week, I cover hot spots and critical threats that might affect our country, as well as keep you informed about our military. I end each show by sharing some scripture from the Bible (without being too pushy), and then talk about PTSD and depression (since life is hard and the veteran suicide rate is FAR too high). 

My hope is you end each show better informed, less worried, and more optimistic (about both our country and your life).

Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.

If you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

You can listen here, or you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below by searching for The View from the Front:

Timestamps:

Timestamp: 1:42. The election season is heating up already, but here are just a few things to remember so that you can keep your own temperature down, as well as do your small part to help unite (and heal) this country.

Timestamp: 8:27. The United States has stalled its decision regarding Ukraine using American long-range weapons in their war against Russia against targets deep inside Russia.

Timestamp: 17:12. Ukrainian drones carried out a massive attack against a crucial ammunition depot deep inside Russia.

Timestamp: 24:37. Why Russia seems so powerless to stop these Ukrainian drone attacks. The answer isn’t as simple as you might think.

Timestamp: 33:31. Some keen overall analysis in regards to the larger, higher situation happening in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Timestamp: 42:44. A promised anti-air weapons system that Italy promised in June has STILL not arrived in Ukraine yet. It’s expected by late September.

Timestamp: 45:39. President Zelenskyy speaks out and says that the promised military aid to equip 14 new brigades was not enough for even four. That, and many more shocking details, in a short interview that he did with CNN. 

Timestamp: 54:09. Turkey's Erdogan says Russia must return Crimea to Ukraine; plus Ukraine gets back a hundred prisoners and Russia commits another war crime against a captured soldier.

Timestamp: 58:27. Turkey's Erdogan says Russia must return Crimea to Ukraine; plus Ukraine gets back a hundred prisoners and Russia commits another war crime against a captured soldier.

Timestamp: 1:00:28. Two German ships passed through the Taiwan straight. China wasn’t happy about this.

Timestamp: 1:04:30. Let’s cover some scripture from the Bible, which I hope will encourage you and ground you. I truly do desire to help lift you up.

Timestamp: 1:12:18. A few words for those who are dealing with depression, PTSD, or thoughts of suicide.

Timestamp: 1:18:29. Some final words of unity, as well as more information about me and my books.

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

Timestamp: 1:42. The election season is heating up already, but I discuss in the podcast just a few things to remember so that you can keep your own temperature down, as well as do your small part to help unite (and heal) this country.

Ukraine news:

US wants more clarity from Ukraine on possible use of long-range missiles

Ukraine missile request under discussion

Putin warns NATO risks 'war' with Russia over Ukraine with long-range missile discussion

China news:

Your reminder for the week, in case you duck the scripture in the next part: Be a part of community, if nothing else.

Your scripture for the week:

Let’s end the show with some scripture, because I know that life is hard and sometimes, you just need to hear something that will lift you up.

I always like to share some verses from the Bible, or quotes that touch on the Bible/Jesus, because my Christian faith has become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years, since losing my Mom and now worrying an awful lot about my Dad and his serious memory problems.

I’m betting you have something really challenging going on in your life, as well. (And if you don’t, I can guarantee it’s coming. That’s how life goes.) So, I hope by sharing some of these, it might encourage you to get into the Bible yourself. Because I think it’ll change your life, if you let it.

As a final scripture reminder, do not grow weary in doing good. Even if you’re just helping one hungry kid or donating one school backpack, that might not solve world hunger or fix everything in our country (or your neighborhood), but you are doing good.

So, don’t feel overwhelmed by the size of the world’s problems.

The final thing that I want to do is something I do in every show. 

I want to talk to you just for a moment about depression, PTSD, and even suicide for just a moment.

I do this because veterans are at 57% higher risk of suicide than their peers of the same age group of folks who haven’t served. 

But this section isn’t just for veterans. I know we can all get in really low spots in our lives so I just want to remind people that it’s a season. 

It’s a valley. So when you’re in that thick, deep, tough situation that just seems like you can’t see over it, just remember it. It’s just a season. It’s just a valley, like I said.

Now, if you are having serious issues, you can call 988 and select 1 and you can talk to a crisis-line responder anytime day or night. 

And you can do this whether you’re a civilian or a veteran, but I do know that this is hard to do and I know most of you who are struggling probably won’t do so. 

As such, I have to be a little mean here because the fact is is when we’ve had a drill instructor or a tough coach in the past who pushed us, you experienced that you can go further than when it’s just you.

So I’m gonna be mean for a moment and I have to remind you guys that you cannot give up. You can’t give in to those really terrible thoughts you’re having.

I don’t want you to lose this fight. I don’t want you to make your parents or your family have to plan your funeral. 

I don’t want them to feel guilty that they didn’t check on you for that. That they couldn’t reach you. 

I want you to know that you can hold on for another day, and I think if you do, I think the next day is gonna be a little easier.

Now again, if you’re in a fight that you worry you may lose, please call someone. Call a friend or a family member. 

This is really easy to do and I beg of you to do so. We have all lost friends that we wish had reached out to us, so again reach out to one of them. Just be honest. Say that you’re struggling right now and can’t catch a break.

But again, you can also call 988. Select 1.

As I said, whatever you do, please do not quit. You’re just in a valley and this world needs you. Probably, if we’re honest, your parents need you, as well. Because seriously, who’s going take care of your parents in 30 years? Or in 10 years? Or whatever age you are?

And I’m serious about this. I just helped take care of my Mom before she passed. 

I help take care of my Dad, who’s dealing with some pretty serious memory issues.

So I just wanna ask you who’s gonna do it? Are you just gonna let the system take care of them? How horrible is that?!

So the broader point is you cannot quit and you need to think beyond the season that you’re in and realize that there’s something you’re meant to do -- you just can’t see it. Because like I said earlier, in this immediate fog and pain, you can’t see the end result, but I believe that there’s a mission for you to do.

I believe that God has a mission for you to do. Maybe it’s coach a little league team. Maybe it’s to help others with PTSD. Maybe you’re supposed to run for office. 

Whatever it is, I believe there’s some calling for you and you haven’t found it. 

But I want to encourage you to get involved.

Stop isolating yourself. Visit a veterans group, such as the VFW. Something like that.

Maybe visit a church near you. Maybe visit some family you’ve lost touch with. Maybe call or text that friend you’ve grown apart with. 

Reach out to the long-lost friend from high school. Or the one from the military you haven’t talked with in years. I’ll bet they’re dying to talk to you.

But again if you’re struggling, I beg of you to call 988, select 1. 

Also, and this is my personal suggestion if you’re not absolutely opposed to it, I would suggest that you start moving closer to God. 

Start reading the Bible, if you never have. I really do think that will help. You can read some of Psalms or Proverbs, and then you can start with the New Testament in the Book of John. 

I think you’ll find the Bible will start drawing you in and I think it’ll start changing your life. If you don’t have a Bible, you can download the Bible app on your phone or you can look it up online there. There are dozens of sights with it on there.

But again, the broader point is I just want to encourage you not to give up. There’s a plan for you. I really hope that you won’t give up and that you’ll reach out to God or maybe check out the Bible as I’ve mentioned so many times.

If that’s not your thing, or if you’re not ready for that step, I hope you try to surround yourself with some more community or some more friends.

I know a lot of the websites say to not guilt someone who’s thinking about suicide. That such a thing is cruel, but I sadly think that suicide is the easy way out. 

It’s a short-term solution to what you think is a complicated problem that you can’t solve. 

And trust me. I’m not stupid. I know life is hard. I know going on whether it’s in life or a marathon or a really long rucksack run or forced march in the military, I know to keep going is often more painful. There’s no doubt about that. But it’s also the right answer.

Not only will you get tougher and stronger and have more endurance, but if you fall out of that race, someone’s got to carry your gear. Someone’s got to care for you. Or maybe your team arrives at the mission objective with fewer people, which is gonna lead to more strain and danger and probably higher casualties to those around you.

And unfortunately, that same thing happens if you decide to pull the plug and check out in regular life. Somebody’s going to have to carry your load. Somebody’s going to have to care for your family or for your parents. Someone’s going to have to plan your funeral. Someone is going to have to deal with all the things that you left hanging out there. 

So, I know it sounds like I’m trying to guilt you, and I’m really not trying to, but I just want you to think about these things when you are in the lowest point in your life. That really dark place. Please think of others. 

You’re a good person. And I just think you’re stronger than what you think you are right now. 

And as such, I just encourage you to keep fighting. Please keep taking that next step.

Before we end, I always like to end each week’s edition with this one:

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

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

Here are those links again if you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

Also, all posts are free, so feel free to share. (And in that line of thinking, it seems like all the social media sites I’m on throttle down my posts when they have a link to Substack, so if you could forward this to a person or two that might be interested, and ask them to consider signing up for free, it’d sure help me a lot!)

The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for this edition.

Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?

Go here:

Dealing with PTSD? Emotionally or mentally at rock bottom? Here’s the link to my faith newsletter: Be like Ozzie; go near your master. (The power of prayer. Part 1.)

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

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

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

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

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.

Finally, I also write a faith blog about God and the Bible. (As a child, I was wounded badly by the church and left it to study other religions, before returning to the faith of my roots.)

#mil #podcast #military #ukraine #china #russia #RussiaUkraineWar #motivation #inspiration #Bible #usmc #army #navy #airforce #politics #defensenews #OSINT #theviewfromthefront 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone!

Thank you for being here.

Each week, I cover hot spots and critical threats that might affect our country, as well as keep you informed about our military. I end each show by sharing some scripture from the Bible (without being too pushy), and then talk about PTSD and depression (since life is hard and the veteran suicide rate is FAR too high). 

My hope is you end each show better informed, less worried, and more optimistic (about both our country and your life).

Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.

If you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

You can listen here, or you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below by searching for The View from the Front:

Timestamps:

Timestamp: 2:13. Let’s talk about China and Russia, and the perils of isolationism — a position I held myself as short as 10 years ago. 

Timestamp: 29:07. The United States is finally signaling that Ukraine can use American long-range weapons in their war against Russia against targets deep inside Russia.

Timestamp: 31:04. The good — and bad — about the push into Kursk by Ukraine, including the fact that Russia has launched what appears to be a massive counter-attack and taken back at least one-tenth of the land that Ukraine had seized.

Timestamp: 37:26. Ukraine gets some additional air defense from Spain.

Timestamp: 38:59. Iran has supplied more than 200 ballistic missiles to Russia, according to US intelligence.

Timestamp: 40:55. Ukraine launches its second ship inside Turkey as it works to rebuild its own navy. 

Timestamp: 42:54. Ukraine hits the economic numbers that it needs to meet to get more funding from the IMF.

Timestamp: 44:01. Up in the skies, Ukraine has taken its anti-drone drone program to new heights.

Timestamp: 50:57. Beijing appears to be carefully weighing plans to tow a Philippine vessel it says is “illegally” deployed at a disputed atoll that has become a new flashpoint in the South China Sea.”

Timestamp: 56:45. Let’s cover some scripture from the Bible, which I hope will encourage you and ground you. I truly do desire to help lift you up.

Timestamp: 1:08:25. A few words for those who are dealing with depression, PTSD, or thoughts of suicide.

Timestamp: 1:14:36. Some final words of unity, as well as more information about me and my books.

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

Isolationism versus alliances.

(Gift link: Opinion: We cannot give in to the isolationists. Taiwan must not fall.)

Ukraine news:

The good — and bad — about the push into Kursk by Ukraine.

The good…

The bad…

China news:

Your scripture for the week:

Let’s end the show with some scripture, because I know that life is hard and sometimes, you just need to hear something that will lift you up.

I always like to share some verses from the Bible, or quotes that touch on the Bible/Jesus, because my Christian faith has become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years, since losing my Mom and now worrying an awful lot about my Dad and his serious memory problems.

I’m betting you have something really challenging going on in your life, as well. (And if you don’t, I can guarantee it’s coming. That’s how life goes.) So, I hope by sharing some of these, it might encourage you to get into the Bible yourself. Because I think it’ll change your life, if you let it.

And, I always like to end each week’s notes with this one:

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

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

Here are those links again if you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

Also, all posts are free, so feel free to share. (And in that line of thinking, it seems like all the social media sites I’m on throttle down my posts when they have a link to Substack, so if you could forward this to a person or two that might be interested, and ask them to consider signing up for free, it’d sure help me a lot!)

The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for this edition.

Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?

Go here:

Dealing with PTSD? Emotionally or mentally at rock bottom? Here’s the link to my faith newsletter: Be like Ozzie; go near your master. (The power of prayer. Part 1.)

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

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

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

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

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.

Finally, I also write a faith blog about God and the Bible. (As a child, I was wounded badly by the church and left it to study other religions, before returning to the faith of my roots.)

#mil #podcast #military #ukraine #china #russia #RussiaUkraineWar #motivation #inspiration #Bible #usmc #army #navy #airforce #politics #defensenews #OSINT #theviewfromthefront 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone!

Thank you for being here.

Each week, I cover hot spots and critical threats that might affect our country, as well as keep you informed about our military. I end each show by sharing some scripture and Jesus (without being too pushy), and then talk about PTSD and depression (since life is hard and the veteran suicide rate is FAR too high). 

My hope is you end each show better informed, less worried, and more optimistic (about both our country and your life).

Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.

If you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

You can listen here, or you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below by searching for The View from the Front:

Timestamps:

Timestamp: 1:23. I talk about my obsession with the rock band Disciple and how Kevin Young, its lead singer, is one of my all-time favorite heroes. 

Timestamp: 10:16. Zelensky reshuffles cabinet at key moment in war and ahead of U.S. trip

Timestamp: 12:36. The latest on the defense of the Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk, where Russia is applying almost all of its pressure.

Timestamp: 23:15. An update on the push north into Russia in the Kursk region by Ukrainian forces.

Timestamp: 33:28. The limitations on weapons usage continues to get many Ukrainians killed.

Timestamp: 36:31. The EU fiddles on frozen Russian assets while Ukraine burns.

Timestamp: 43:42. For those who say we shouldn’t care about Taiwan or what China is doing as it aggressively expands, just realize they are already in America: organized and already using violence. The Washington Post broke this insane story.

Timestamp: 48:39. China rams Phillippine vessel multiple times, after surrounding it. Were they trying to immobilize and capture it?

Timestamp: 52:17. Mapping the growing U.S. presence in the Middle East, and 7 U.S. personnel wounded in Iraq raid that killed 15 ISIS members. 

Timestamp: 54:08. Motivation and encouragement, to help lift you up.

Timestamp: 1:11:10. A few words for those who are dealing with depression, PTSD, or thoughts of suicide.

Timestamp: 1:17:10. Some final words of unity, as well as more information about me and my books.

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

Link to my favorite band that I mention in the intro:

Ukraine news:

Zelensky reshuffles cabinet at key moment in war and ahead of U.S. trip

KYIV — Ukraine is undergoing its largest government shake-up since Russia invaded the country in 2022, as the war reaches a critical juncture and President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to visit the United States to unveil a “victory plan” on how Kyiv hopes to win.

The visit later this month comes as Ukraine is preparing for various scenarios ahead of a U.S. presidential election in November that could affect the future of a key partnership that has, until now, ensured Ukraine’s defense. It also coincides with renewed pleas from Kyiv for Western allies — including Washington — to lift restrictions on using certain weapons for long-range strikes inside of Russia in hopes of curbing its devastating missile strikes across the country.

During a news briefing Wednesday, Zelensky praised the team that has led his government throughout the war but said, “Today, we need new energy, and these steps are related to strengthening our state in various directions.”

Update on Pokrovsk

The town of Pokrovsk plays a crucial role as a logistics hub used by Ukrainian forces in the eastern region of Donbas.

(Below item is dated and no longer true; advance has slowed, but sharing this as evidence of larger point made.)

The EU fiddles while Kyiv burns

China news:

For those who say we shouldn’t care about Taiwan or what China is doing as it aggressively expands, just realize they are already in America: organized and already using violence. And you can bet they almost certainly have far more ambitious plans. 

Free gift link from The Washington Post: How China extended its repression into an American city

Chinese diplomats and pro-China diaspora groups based in the United States organized demonstrations in San Francisco that harassed and silenced protesters opposed to Beijing’s policies, including through violence, during Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to the city in November, a six-month investigation by The Washington Post shows.

U.S. news:

Words of encouragement:

Let’s end the show with some words of encouragement, because I know that life is hard and sometimes, you just need to hear something that will lift you up.

I always like to share some verses from the Bible, or quotes that touch on the Bible/Jesus, because my Christian faith has become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years, since losing my Mom and now worrying an awful lot about my Dad and his serious memory problems.

I’m betting you have something really challenging going on in your life, as well. (And if you don’t, I can guarantee it’s coming. That’s how life goes.) So, I hope by sharing some of these, it might encourage you to get into the Bible yourself. Because I think it’ll change your life, if you let it.

And, I always like to end each week’s notes with this one:

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

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

Here are those links again if you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

Also, all posts are free, so feel free to share. (And in that line of thinking, it seems like all the social media sites I’m on throttle down my posts when they have a link to Substack, so if you could forward this to a person or two that might be interested, and ask them to consider signing up for free, it’d sure help me a lot!)

The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for this edition.

Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?

Go here:

Dealing with PTSD? Emotionally or mentally at rock bottom? Here’s the link to my faith newsletter: Be like Ozzie; go near your master. (The power of prayer. Part 1.)

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

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

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

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

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.

Finally, I also write a faith blog about God and the Bible. (As a child, I was wounded badly by the church and left it to study other religions, before returning to the faith of my roots.)

#mil #podcast #military #ukraine #china #russia #RussiaUkraineWar #motivation #inspiration #Bible #usmc #army #navy #airforce #politics #defensenews #OSINT #theviewfromthefront 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone!

Thank you for being here.

Each week, I cover our military, defense news, and foreign policy in a calm and rational manner, with an over-arching goal to unify our country.

Besides covering the news in a calm manner, I end each show with some words of encouragement.

Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.

If you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

You can listen here, or you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below by searching for The View from the Front:

Timestamps:

Timestamp: 1:23. The Ronda Rousey apology, and what it teaches about apologies, going down rabbit holes on the internet, and carrying guilt.

Timestamp: 12:27. Days after Hezbollah and Israel exchanged some of the heaviest cross-border fire in years, there is hope a larger conflict between the two sides may be held at bay, though eyes are still on Iran to see whether it strikes Israeli targets.

Timestamp: 15:36. On the three-year anniversary of the Afghan withdrawal, let’s re-visit that entire catastrophe and fairly distribute the blame to many different people involved.

Timestamp: 48:06. An Army private who fled to North Korea just over a year ago will plead guilty to desertion and four other charges and take responsibility for his conduct, his lawyer said Monday.

Timestamp: 52:56. The head of Telegram was arrested. How big a deal is that for Russia?

Timestamp: 58:18. Fuel supplies to Russian troops, Crimea strangled by destruction of ship.

Timestamp: 1:04:06. Has Ukraine invaded Russia again by another direction?

Timestamp: 1:08:45. Ukrainians flee Pokrovsk as Russians advance

Timestamp: 1:11:24. Russia launches one of its largest combined missile and drone attacks of the war. 

Timestamp: 1:19:33. Ukraine hits more fuel storage sites in Russia.

Timestamp: 1:24:01. Ukraine gets more than a 100 prisoners released back in prisoner exchange. 

Timestamp: 1:26:02. Motivation and encouragement, to help life you up.

Timestamp: 1:31:58. A few words for those who are dealign with depression, PTSD, or thoughts of suicide.

Timestamp: 1:38:10. Some final words of unity, as well as more information about me and my books. 

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

Woah. This apology is good. And honest. And from the heart.

And it helps teach you a lesson about going down rabbit holes, which I think is really good.

It also teaches a heck of a lesson about carrying guilt.

U.S. news:

I go into a very long discussion of the complicated topic below. Please listen to my words in my podcast, not the images or links below. I fairly (and equally) place the blame all around in my podcast.

A) I think the below is true of Trump (hat tip Blue Virginia), but I also think that:

B) Biden mangled the exit plan and could have extended its timeline.

C) Biden didn’t have to exit at all, and could have maintained a small U.S. presence in at least the capital (and part of the country), which would have been vastly better for the Afghan people and women, plus the deterrence factor to Russia (before it invaded Ukraine), and even for the U.S. troops who invested so much over 20 yrs, only to see it thrown away.

Ukraine news:

‘Russians do everything via Telegram.’ Pavel Durov’s arrest upends Kremlin military comms.

French authorities detained Pavel Durov on allegations that his Telegram social media platform was being used for child pornography, drug trafficking and organized crime — but the immediate freakout came from Russia.

That's because Telegram is widely used by the Russian military for battlefield communications thanks to problems with rolling out its own secure comms system. It's also the primary vehicle for pro-war military bloggers and media — as well as millions of ordinary Russians.

“They practically detained the head of communication of the Russian army,” Russian military blogger channel Povernutie na Z Voine said in a Telegram statement.

Fuel Supplies To Russian Troops, Crimea Strangled By Destruction Of Ship

The destruction of the ship full of fuel tank train cars at a port in the Kerch Strait yesterday will hamper Russia’s ability to supply troops and the Crimean peninsula with fuel and lubricants, according to the Ukrainian Navy and the popular Crimean Wind Telegram channel. As we reported yesterday, the Conro Trader, a Russian Roll On Roll Off (RORO) vessel with a reported 30 fuel tank cars aboard, erupted in a ball of flames at the Port of Kavkaz.

The Ukrainian Navy on Friday took credit for that attack, which was suspected to have been carried out by a converted Neptune missile.

“We can confirm the information that this target was destroyed by the [Ukrainian] Navy,” spokesman Captain Dmytro Pletenchuk said Friday, according to Ukrainian Pravda. “This ferry is one of the most important chains of Russian military logistics for supplying the occupation forces, primarily with fuel and lubricants, but it also transported weapons, of course. Therefore, this is a legitimate target. And, accordingly, this should reduce the potential of our enemy’s capabilities in those locations where they are actively engaged in hostilities.”

…

“Fuel is not being delivered to Crimea via the Kerch Bridge by rail, as the structures are weakened after the explosion on the bridge and the burning freight train. There are also concerns that the train carrying fuel could be hit by a missile.

Incredible map. The changing numbers represent troops in theater.

Ukraine Attempting Incursion In Belgorod, Russian Regional Governor Says

Gift link from the Post: Last chance to escape: Ukrainians flee Pokrovsk as Russians advance

Those staying and those leaving wept in the thick August heat — stunned by how quickly Russian forces are advancing on Pokrovsk, a key supply hub in eastern Ukraine that until now was seen as a relatively safe fallback city, far enough from the front line to stay. Russian troops are now just eight miles from the city center, putting much of the area within range of attacks by artillery and first-person view drones.

As of this week, more than 45,000 people remained in Pokrovsk, including more than 3,000 children, according to police data shared with The Washington Post. Civilians have been ordered to evacuate and many have fled in recent days or said they are making plans to leave.

Russia launches one of its largest combined missile and drone attacks of the war.

The dam holds 3.7 billion tons of water and sits upstream from the capital city of Kyiv. A breach would endanger thousands of civilians in the city and nearby towns.

At least five systems pledged at last month's NATO Summit in Washington D.C. have failed to materialize so far, the outlet said.

Though it does not mention the specific countries behind the air defense pledges, President Volodymyr Zelensky on Aug. 18 singled out the U.S., U.K., and France during his evening address in which he called on allies to speed up deliveries of promised weapons systems.

"There are no vacations in war," he said, adding: "Decisions are needed, as is timely logistics for the announced aid packages."

Words of encouragement:

Let’s end the show with some words of encouragement, because I know that life is hard and sometimes, you just need to hear something that will lift you up.

I always like to share some verses from the Bible, or quotes that touch on the Bible/Jesus, because my Christian faith has become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years, since losing my Mom and now worrying an awful lot about my Dad and his serious memory problems.

I’m betting you have something really challenging going on in your life, as well. (And if you don’t, I can guarantee it’s coming. That’s how life goes.) So, I hope by sharing some of these, it might encourage you to get into the Bible yourself. Because I think it’ll change your life, if you let it.

And, I always like to end each week’s notes with this one:

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

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

Here are those links again if you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

Also, all posts are free, so feel free to share. (And in that line of thinking, it seems like all the social media sites I’m on throttle down my posts when they have a link to Substack, so if you could forward this to a person or two that might be interested, and ask them to consider signing up for free, it’d sure help me a lot!)

The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for this edition.

Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?

Go here:

Dealing with PTSD? Emotionally or mentally at rock bottom? Here’s the link to my faith newsletter: Be like Ozzie; go near your master. (The power of prayer. Part 1.)

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

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

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

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

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.

Finally, I also write a faith blog about God and the Bible. (As a child, I was wounded badly by the church and left it to study other religions, before returning to the faith of my roots.)

#mil #podcast #military #ukraine #china #russia #RussiaUkraineWar #motivation #inspiration #Bible #usmc #army #navy #airforce #politics #defensenews #OSINT #theviewfromthefront 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone!

Thank you for being here.

Each week, I cover our military, defense news, and foreign policy in a calm and rational manner, with an over-arching goal to unify our country.

Besides covering the news in a calm manner, I end each show with some words of encouragement.

Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.

If you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

You can listen here, or you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below by searching for The View from the Front:

Timestamps:

Timestamp: 4:24. The latest on the Ukrainian advance into Russia, including the destruction of three permanent Russian bridges, as well as a pontoon bridge.

Timestamp: 12:07. Just how big of a secret was this invasion into Russia? Well, the troops thought it was a joke…

Timestamp: 14:31. Part of the reason for the incursion has become more public. 

Timestamp: 16:19. This push north is making Ukraine’s aerial drone attacks more effective against the Russians. They’re even hitting Moscow now. And you know the pressure has to be ramping up on Putin.

Timestamp: 24:12. Kremlin response to Kursk incursion shows how Putin freezes in a crisis

Timestamp: 27:39. With new front opened up, Russia supplying Ukraine with lots of captured tanks.

Timestamp: 30:32. In a big shift, Russia now bombing its own territory.

Timestamp: 32:12. Could retired NATO pilots fly F-16s for Ukraine?

Timestamp: 40:46. Who blew up the Nord Stream Pipeline? We may finally have the answer. 

Timestamp: 45:24. Russian oil depot fire continues for more than three days, costing Russia more than $200 million in losses.

Timestamp: 48:44. Incredible footage of Ukraine training drone pilots.

Timestamp: 52:07. Russia closes in on eastern city despite Ukraine’s successes elsewhere.

Timestamp: 55:42. Iran signals that it's promised strike on Israel may not be imminent

Timestamp: 57:23. A year in, DOD racks up wins for foreign military sales

Timestamp: 1:00:06. Russia, China Vying for Influence in Southern Hemisphere With U.S.

Timestamp: 1:03:55. Chinese and Philippine vessels collided near a disputed reef in the South China Sea, undermining what had been a brief and fragile truce.

Timestamp: 1:06:49. Motivation and encouragement.

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

Ukraine news:

A short story about bridges inside Russia, and Ukraine continues its advance northward.

3 days ago: Two bridges down, one to go. Ukraine

2 days ago.

Yikes. Looks like the Russian pontoon bridge has been sunk, too!!! 😱😱 (That's now all three permanent bridges, as well as this interim temporary one...)

Also, it’s kind of crazy that Russia couldn’t have defended this third— and last — bridge. They had to know Ukraine was coming, and yet they still couldn’t station air defenses to stop it.)

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary: Austin Has Discussed Ukraine's Actions in Russia With Ukrainian Counterpart

From the story:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a description of the objectives of the Ukrainian counteroffensive into Kursk on Saturday. "There have already been several reports by Commander-in-Chief [Ukrainian Col. Gen. Oleksandr] Syrskyi about the frontline situation and our operation in the Kursk region" of Russia, Zelenskyy said in his daily report to the Ukrainian people. "We see that the occupier is suffering losses, and this is helpful — very helpful — for our defense. It is about destroying the logistics of the Russian army and draining their reserves." 

Ukrainian forces must inflict maximum damage on all Russian positions, he said. The Ukrainian forces are tenaciously defending the Donbas region even as they advance in Kursk. "We are eliminating the Russian military presence in the area of our operations there and replenishing 'the exchange fund' for our state," he said. 

The "exchange fund' is replenishing units with personnel, ammunition and supplies.  

…

Zelenskyy said Ukraine will fortify the area in Kursk and use it as a buffer zone to prevent Russian forces from firing into Ukraine. In his Aug. 18 report, he said Ukrainian forces have achieved "good and much-needed results" in destroying Russian equipment.  

"All this is more than just defense for Ukraine. It is now our primary task in defensive operations overall to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions," he said. "This includes creating a buffer zone on the aggressor's territory: our operation in the Kursk region." 

Zelenskyy took an expansive view of actions against Russia. "Everything that inflicts losses on the Russian army, Russian state, their military industrial complex, and their economy helps prevent the war from expanding and brings us closer to a just end to this aggression, a just peace for Ukraine," he said.

Ukraine attacks Moscow in one of largest ever drone strikes on Russian capital

Kremlin response to Kursk incursion shows how Putin freezes in a crisis

Faced with crisis, Vladimir Putin tends to freeze.

Moscow’s slow, fumbling military response to Ukraine’s surprise occupation of parts of the western Kursk region is the latest example of the Kremlin chief failing to respond with quick, decisive action to match his bellicose rhetoric.

The Kursk incursion is the fourth major blow to Putin’s authority since his February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and highlights the weaknesses of a top-down autocracy that operates largely on fear and punishment.

In each case — after Russia’s failure to topple the Ukrainian government at the start of the invasion, after Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeniy Prigozhin led a rebellion against the regular Russia military command and after Islamist extremists struck the popular Crocus City Hall concert venue — the Kremlin’s response has been halting, with Putin waiting 24 hours or more to offer any public comment.

“It’s always the same style. Putin likes to keep everything secret. When he appears publicly, he doesn’t say much. He prefers not to be alarmist,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of France-based analytical group R.Politik.

In a big shift, Russia now bombing its own territory.

Link to the story:

Fire rages for a third day at a Russian oil depot

Any Russia-Ukraine peace deal unlikely to be just

From the story:

Any peace deal reached between Ukraine and Russia likely won't be fair, Czech President Petr Pavel said Wednesday — but justice should be the objective nonetheless.

"A just peace, if we were to imagine it on a scale from 100 percent to nothing, would mean the restoration of Ukraine's full control over its territory, including Crimea. It would require that the aggressor pay compensation for war damages. But that's probably a fantasy, we can all agree," Pavel said on PoliTalk, a Czech political podcast.

Russia closes in on eastern city despite Ukraine’s successes elsewhere

U.S. news:

Iran signals that it's promised strike on Israel may not be imminent

Iranian officials are signaling this week that an attack against Israel may not be imminent, tamping down some of the more urgent rhetoric around threats to avenge Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed last month in a blast at his guesthouse in Tehran.

Iran had warned early on of a “devastating” reprisal to “punish” Israel for the assassination — but it later adjusted its language, and, in a statement Wednesday, the Iranian mission to the United Nations reinforced the government’s position that any response “must be carefully calibrated” to avoid affecting a potential cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Even Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the country’s most powerful security force, said that an attack might not come right away. “Time is at our disposal,” Brig. Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini, the IRGC spokesman, said Tuesday, according to local media. “And the waiting period for this response could be long.”

A Year in, DOD Racks Up Wins for Foreign Military Sales

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in fiscal year 2021, sales through FMS clocked in at about $34.8 billion total. For fiscal year 2022, that number jumped to $49.7 billion. In fiscal year 2023, it jumped again to about $66.2 billion. And so far in fiscal year 2024, FMS sales are already above $80 billion, and may top $100 billion by year's end. 

Russia, China Vying for Influence in Southern Hemisphere With U.S.

Russian warships have been making port visits to Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, and 22 nations in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility have signed on to China's Belt and Road Initiative, the commander of Southcom told attendees of the Aspen Security Forum.

Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson said the nations that have signed on to the Chinese initiative don't see the investments the U.S. has been making in their countries. 

"All they see are the Chinese cranes," she said. "These projects are in the billions of dollars. … They are big-time projects." 

Richardson said it would be OK with her if those investments were for doing good in the hemisphere. "But it makes me a little suspicious when it's in the critical infrastructure." 

Critical infrastructure, she said, includes deep-water ports, cybersecurity, energy and space.

"I worry about the dual use nature of that. These are state-owned enterprises by a communist government. I worry about the flipping of that to a military application," Richardson said, referring to China. 

Southcom's No. 1 teammate working in the various countries in the region are U.S. ambassadors, but some nations are without a U.S. ambassador because many have not been confirmed in a timely manner, leaving, she said.  

"We have an absolute connective tissue with all of our U.S. ambassadors in the region." 

Besides U.S. ambassadors, others that Southcom partners with to increase U.S. influence in the region include the Commerce Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, NASA, the Inter-American Development Bank, the American Chambers of Commerce, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and human rights and nongovernmental organizations, the general said.

"I really believe that economic security and national security go hand in hand here in this hemisphere, and we have got to work both of them together very, very quickly," she said. 

Regarding the Russian port visits, Richardson said U.S. vessels have been shadowing those vessels to ensure the safety and security of the United States. 

Also, the Russians continue to make high-level government visits to Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua with their foreign affairs minister and the head of the Russian legislative body, she said, adding that the U.S. could be doing more in its own government exchanges.

China news:

Words of encouragement:

Let’s end the show with some words of encouragement, because I know that life is hard and sometimes, you just need to hear something that will lift you up.

I always like to share some verses from the Bible, or quotes that touch on the Bible or Jesus, because my Christian faith has become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years, since losing my Mom and now worrying an awful lot about my Dad and his serious memory problems.

I’m betting you have something really challenging going on in your life, as well. (And if you don’t, I can guarantee it’s coming. That’s how life goes.) So, I hope by sharing some of these, it might encourage you to get into the Bible yourself. Because I think it’ll change your life, if you let it.

But before I do, let me share this post in the hopes that it might help some veteran or family who had roots to Afghanistan. I think this is a good and healthy way to see it.

And, I always like to end each week’s notes with this one:

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

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

Here are those links again if you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

Also, all posts are free, so feel free to share. (And in that line of thinking, it seems like all the social media sites I’m on throttle down my posts when they have a link to Substack, so if you could forward this to a person or two that might be interested, and ask them to consider signing up for free, it’d sure help me a lot!)

The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for this edition.

Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?

Go here:

Dealing with PTSD? Emotionally or mentally at rock bottom? Here’s the link to my faith newsletter: Be like Ozzie; go near your master. (The power of prayer. Part 1.)

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

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

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

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

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.

Finally, I also write a faith blog about God and the Bible. (As a child, I was wounded badly by the church and left it to study other religions, before returning to the faith of my roots.)

#mil #podcast #military #ukraine #china #russia #RussiaUkraineWar #motivation #inspiration #Bible #usmc #army #navy #airforce #politics #defensenews #OSINT #theviewfromthefront 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone!

Thank you for being here.

Each week, in The View from the Front podcast, I cover defense news in a sophisticated and balanced manner, with an over-arching goal to unify our country.

Besides covering the news in a respectful way, I end each show with some motivation and wisdom. Hope you enjoy the show! #SupportOurMilitary #DefendDemocracy

Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.

If you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

You can listen here, or you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below by searching for The View from the Front:

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

Ukraine news:

Ukraine’s Kursk attack surprised Russia and perhaps some of its backers

A week on, as Russian forces scrambled to respond to the sneak attack after days of fierce fighting, Ukraine’s top military commander said that his troops were in control of 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of territory.

…

Kyiv’s aims are not entirely clear. Some analysts speculate that the incursion aims to strengthen Ukraine’s hand in future peace negotiations. Military experts agree that it should provide some relief for embattled Ukrainian troops by drawing enemy soldiers away from the frontline.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry says the operation is to protect against long-range strikes launched from Kursk. “Ukraine is not interested in taking the territory of the Kursk region, but we want to protect the lives of our people,” spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said, according to local media.

Ukraine turns the tables on Russia

By one estimate, Ukraine has seized more Russian territory in a week than Russia has captured in Ukraine in this whole calendar year.

…

The operation has led Russia’s forces to carry out bombing raids on its own territory — after months of pummeling Ukraine. “The incursion clearly has achieved at least one Ukrainian objective: breaking through the haze of Russian complacency about the war — which has had limited impact on the lives of most ordinary Russians,” my colleagues wrote earlier this week.

“Since last week, Russians, rather than Ukrainians, have taken to social media and blogs to wonder whether the nuclear plant nearest the combat area is safe, to watch videos of their young conscript soldiers taken prisoner and civilians stripped of shelter as the Kursk region disappears behind an active front line,” wrote Anna Nemstova in the Atlantic.

Ukraine Strikes Russian Airfields Hosting Hypersonic Missile Carriers

U.S. news:

U.S. Seeks to Deter Regional War in Middle East

There is still time for diplomacy to work in the Middle East, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said today during a news conference. 

U.S. forces are moving into the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility as a deterrence measure, he said. The Air Force has moved F-22 Raptor aircraft into the region, and the U.S. Navy is moving the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group — centered around F-35C Lightning II aircraft — to the region, as well. The USS Georgia, a guided missile submarine, is also progressing there. 

Today, there are approximately 40,000 U.S. service members in the Centcom region, Ryder said. 

The Defense Department continues to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is in almost daily contact with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other partners in the region, Ryder said.  

"The U.S. remains intensely focused on de-escalating tensions in the region, while also remaining focused on securing a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal to bring all of the hostages home and to end the war in Gaza," the general said.  

In his most recent phone call with Gallant, Austin assured the Israeli leader of the United States' commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel. He also noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions, Ryder said.  

"These U.S. military force-posture adjustments are designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase our support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to a wide variety of contingencies," Ryder said.  

U.S. Will Work With African Nations to Protect Interests, Encourage Cooperation

The United States has vital interests on the African continent and will protect those interests in concert with African nations, said the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Africa during an interview earlier this month. 

Maureen Farrell emphasized that Africa — with more than 1.5 billion people in 54 nations who speak hundreds of languages and have hundreds of cultures — is a diverse continent where a one-size-fits-all approach will not work.  

Still, Farrell said there are commonalities. Nations in some sub-regions and particular climate belts share concerns, and often the U.S. government works with the nations in all aspect of government — from the economy to diplomacy to security and more, she said. 

But all of this is done "based on the feedback from our African colleagues, as opposed to what might make sense from a policy maker's desk here in Washington, where if you haven't worked on Africa in depth, it can all blend together without the nuance that one clearly needs to understand to be effective," she said.  

Listening and engaging with African leaders is an important part of Farrell's job, and it is also an important aspect of the strategy of Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command. Farrell and Langley and Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., just returned from the African Chiefs of Defense Conference held in Gaborone, Botswana, where they did listen to and engage with African leaders.  

"It was a fantastic opportunity for the chairman and the combatant commander to hear directly from their uniformed counterparts at a very senior level," Farrell said. The two U.S. leaders, along with Farrell, were able to hold many bilateral talks with African chiefs of defense and have focused discussions. The discussions on West Africa were particularly important, she said, as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso following recent coups have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States.  

"There are some interesting politics and threat information at play in terms of the withdrawal of these three states from ECOWAS," she said. The African nations in the region and beyond, Farrell said, are looking at the political implications of those policy decisions for the uniformed military services in the region.  

African leaders very much want African solutions to African problems, Farrell said, and many nations are working together. She noted that two constellations of nations offered different approaches to the troubles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Southern African Development Community has sent peacekeeping forces to the Eastern region of Congo. SADC is also sending peacekeepers to Mozambique where an ISIS-affiliated uprising has killed thousands since 2017 and displaced more than 800,000. 

African nations are also working together in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.

"These are all African-led initiatives," Farrell said. "There are plenty of examples of African leadership on security solutions." 

One continent-wide problem is climate change. The Sahara is growing, and the Sahel nations are feeling that effect, Farrell said. This has meant increased migration and struggles for resources from water to food to energy. 

"The expansion of the Sahel is posing resiliency challenges for the people of the Sahel and coastal West Africa and the broader the West African region." Farrell said. "The drought problems afflicting the Horn of Africa are creating increased security pressures. Add to this the economic challenges from the global food crisis caused by the Russia and Ukraine war. All these issues have squeezed systems in Africa." 

She said the continent is also still feeling the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic. "All of these economic challenges create friction in societies that makes easy fodder for conflict," she said. "I think our security service counterparts on the continent are very cognizant of the pressure of resource constraints and what that creates in terms of security challenges for them. So, it's a reality that we're acknowledging as a factor in a spark for conflict, usually over water." 

She pointed to Lake Chad — a main source of water for Niger, Chad and Nigeria — as an example. The lake has dramatically diminished in size in recent years placing enormous economic and political pressures on these countries. "If you look over time at the size of Lake Chad, you can see it has shrunk in a matter of years, not multiple decades, but just a handful of years," she said. 

The future in Africa involves more African leadership, Farrell said. The United States is listening to and deferring to African leaders. "Our African colleagues are leading, and I think that's only going to grow," she said. "I think the challenge for us in Washington and for our partners and allies is to appropriately support those mechanisms, as opposed to asserting our own particular worldview." 

Africa has its challenges, but it has opportunities as well. She noted that Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are investing in the continent. India, Japan and South Korea are active economically and diplomatically with African nations. "These are dynamics that I think we have to pay attention to," she said. "There's no question that the rest of the globe sees the importance of the continent, and not just for resource extraction, but for diplomatic maneuvering, and economic investment. Those are trends that I think have to be part of the consideration for DOD." 

China and Russia are also interested in expanding influence on the continent. "We recognize that Africans have a choice, and we are choosing to engage with African partners for our mutual benefit," Farrell said. "It's part of the landscape that there are other actors engaged. We're interested in partnering with countries such as Angola, with Kenya, with Cote d'Ivoire, with Nigeria and with many others, because of the importance that we place on these bilateral relationships, and in many cases, those countries' roles in the broader region."  

"There could be threats emanating from some of those other actors' engagements on the continent, but in general, our priority is to engage with African partners for our own mutual benefit," she continued.

Words of encouragement:

Let’s end the show with some words of encouragement, because I know that life is hard and sometimes, you just need to hear something that will lift you up.

I always like to share some verses from the Bible, or quotes that touch on the Bible or Jesus, because my Christian faith has become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years, since losing my Mom and now worrying an awful lot about my Dad and his serious memory problems.

I’m betting you have something really challenging going on in your life, as well. So, I hope by sharing some of these, it might encourage you to get into the Bible yourself. Because I think it’ll change your life, if you let it.

And, I always like to end each week’s notes with this one:

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

Here are those links again if you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

And there’s even a PayPal link you can use: https://paypal.me/StanRMitchell.

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

Also, all posts are free, so feel free to share. (And in that line of thinking, it seems like all the social media sites I’m on throttle down my posts when they have a link to Substack, so if you could forward this to a person or two that might be interested, and ask them to consider signing up for free, it’d sure help me a lot!)

The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for this edition.

Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?

Go here:

Dealing with PTSD? Emotionally or mentally at rock bottom? Here’s the link to my faith newsletter: Be like Ozzie; go near your master. (The power of prayer. Part 1.)

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

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

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

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

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.

Finally, I also write a faith blog about God and the Bible. (As a child, I was wounded badly by the church and left it to study other religions, before returning to the faith of my roots.)

#mil #podcast #military #ukraine #china #russia #RussiaUkraineWar #motivation #inspiration #Bible #usmc #army #navy #airforce #politics #defensenews #OSINT #theviewfromthefront 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone!

Thank you for being here.

Each week, in The View from the Front podcast, I cover defense news in a sophisticated and balanced manner, with an over-arching goal to unify our country.

Besides covering the news in a respectful way, I end each show with some motivation and wisdom. Hope you enjoy the show! #SupportOurMilitary #DefendDemocracy

Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.

If you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

You can listen here, or you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below by searching for The View from the Front:

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

Some light news you won’t find anywhere else:

Full size:

BALD EAGLE POPULATION EXCEEDS 11,000 PAIRS IN 2007

Having collected the most recent census data from state and federal bald-eagle managers in each of the lower 48 states and the District of Columbia, the Center for Biological Diversity has determined that the 2007 bald eagle population is approximately 11,040 pairs. This is a nearly 1,300-pair increase from the 2006 estimate released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in May 2007. The bald eagle's spectacular return from 417 pairs in 1963 is one of the world's great conservation success stories.

Ukraine news:

Images of Ukraine's new F-16s and their weapons hint at what the US-made fighter jets may start off doing against the Russians

China news:

Marine Corps' Force Design Is Focused on Pacing Challenge From China

U.S. news:

Assorted news:

Motivation and wisdom:

Here’s some motivation and wisdom for you, because I know that life is hard and pep talks help. I also know that sometimes you can get too close to a situation and not be able to see what’s happening, so I share some quotes of wisdom alongside these motivational quotes in the hopes that maybe just one of them might speak to you.

I always like to share a few from the Bible, or that touch on Jesus, because Christianity and the Bible have become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years.

And I hope by sharing a few, it might encourage you to get into the Bible yourself. Because I think it’ll really help you.

Just came across this one. Wish I had seen this one twenty years ago. (I am such an overthinker.)

And, I always like to end each week’s notes with this one:

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

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

The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for this edition.

Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?

Go here:

Dealing with PTSD? Emotionally or mentally at rock bottom? Here’s the link to my faith newsletter: Be like Ozzie; go near your master. (The power of prayer. Part 1.)

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

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

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

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

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.

Finally, I also write a faith blog about God and the Bible. (As a child, I was wounded badly by the church and left it to study other religions, before returning to the faith of my roots.)

#mil #podcast #military #ukraine #china #russia #RussiaUkraineWar #motivation #inspiration #Bible #usmc #army #navy #airforce #politics #defensenews #OSINT #theviewfromthefront 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone!

Thank you for being here.

Each week, in The View from the Front podcast, I cover defense news in a sophisticated and balanced manner, with an over-arching goal to unify our country.

Besides covering the news in a respectful way, I end each show with some motivation and wisdom. Hope you enjoy the show! #SupportOurMilitary #DefendDemocracy

Also, huge shout out to those of you whose paid subscriptions make it possible for me to devote time and resources to researching and compiling the news each week.

If you’d like to support the show:

You can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe

You can also now sign up at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/stanrmitchell

Or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell): https://account.venmo.com/u/authorstanrmitchell

Finally, I’m still trying to grow the show. Please rate and leave comments on SPOTIFY, APPLE, or wherever you listen.

You can listen here, or you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below by searching for The View from the Front:

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

Ukraine news:

Update on F-16s in Ukraine.

Unfortunately, there may be as few as six fighter pilots. Here’s a report from the Telegraph about that. (About the 9 min mark to 11:35 or so.)

On the ground, the Russians continue to invest in massive ground attacks against Ukraine, but with little success to date.

U.S. news:

U.S. military launches first airstrike in Iraq in months

South America news:

Maduro urges Venezuelans to report protesters who question his reelection

Motivation and wisdom:

Here’s some motivation and encouragement for you, because I know that life is hard and pep talks help. I also know that sometimes you can get too close to a situation and not be able to see what’s happening, so I share some quotes of wisdom alongside these motivational quotes in the hopes that maybe just one of them might speak to you.

I always like to share a few from the Bible, or that touch on Jesus, because Christianity and the Bible have become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years.

And I hope by sharing a few, it might encourage you to get into the Bible yourself. Because I think it’ll really help you.

And, I always like to end each week’s notes with this one:

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

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

The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for this edition.

Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?

Go here:

Dealing with PTSD? Emotionally or mentally at rock bottom? Here’s the link to my faith newsletter: Be like Ozzie; go near your master. (The power of prayer. Part 1.)

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

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

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

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

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.

Finally, I also write a faith blog about God and the Bible. (As a child, I was wounded badly by the church and left it to study other religions, before returning to the faith of my roots.)

#mil #podcast #military #ukraine #china #russia #RussiaUkraineWar #motivation #inspiration #Bible #usmc #army #navy #airforce #politics #defensenews #OSINT #theviewfromthefront 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe