Episode 2-16-23

In this episode, we’ll be discussing several topics, that I think will really interest you, and that I almost guarantee you haven’t seen in the news! This includes: Timestamp: 2:28. A bit of a intro/preamble to all the objects being shot down in the United States. Timestamp: 5:08. Why the U.S. is shooting these objects down now? Timestamp: 6:21. Could it be UFOs? What’s my take on that? Timestamp: 8:53. Will the Biden Administration be honest about this with the public? Timestamp: 11:49. Internet provider Starlink, which is closely associated with Elon Musk, admits blocking Ukrainian troops from using satellite technology in some instances. What is happening there? Timestamp: 16:24. Ukraine has begun training its troops on German Leopard tanks in Poland. Hear my take on that and what it could mean for the war. Timestamp: 21:32. A new report has come out that lays out the specifics of Russia's vast program to take Ukraine's children from their families or legal guardians, relocate them across borders, and "re-educate" them to be pro-Russia. I’ll share just a couple of snippets from that. Timestamp: 23:36. In other Ukraine news, a Washington Post story details the barbarity and inhumanity of Russian tactics in the southern part of th country in a recently recaptured city. The title of the story, “Ukraine liberated Kherson city. Now, Russia is destroying it.,” mostly captures what’s happening. But I remind listeners of Russia said prior to exiting the city about wanting to spare it, and show yet again that you cannot take the Russians at their word. Timestamp: 26:46. I predicted that Ukrainians might modify their defenses against loitering munitions several months ago, after an accidental camouflage net and some tree branches saved the lives of several Ukrainians. Turns out, I was right about that, so I’ll give you a quick update on defenses against loitering munitions/kamikaze drones. Timestamp: 31:07. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Mark Milley, has declared that Russia has "lost" the war in Ukraine. I cover this statement and attempt to explain. Timestamp: 33:30. Moving away from Russia to the growing tension with China, I cover what Japan said on Tuesday, when it stated that it “strongly” suspects three Chinese spy balloons entered its airspace between 2019 and 2021. It also provided an ominous warning to its long-term foe, who it fought with in the 1940s. Timestamp: 35:40. Staying on the subject of China, I shared that the United States has renewed its commitment in a sharply-worded warning that it'll defend the Philippines after China uses a military-grade laser to briefly blind sailors in the South China Sea. Timestamp: 40:07. On this same topic, the US Military gained access to 4 more Philippine bases in a pre-emptive move to better counter China. Timestamp: 41:33. At the same time that base announcement was happening, the US also announced a new base on the island of Guam, which could eventually house 5,000 troops to counter China. Timestamp: 43:24. Finally, I briefly bring up during the most-recent tension between China and the U.S., when we shot down a Chinese balloon last week, the US-China hotline went unanswered. ‘It just rang.’ Timestamp: 44:54. Moving to the Middle East, I’ll provide a quick update on the uprising in Iran. The short take? It appears to be mostly over. Timestamp: 47:03. Finally, we’ll cover plenty of motivation and wisdom. Timestamp: 57:23. And if you want to learn more about me, my hope for the country (and for those listening), and about the 11 books I’ve written, jump to here on the podcast. Hey guys, Welcome to the View from the Front podcast. If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here. For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist. Every week, I primarily do three things: * Work to highlight what our military troops are doing around the world, while also trying to better educate Americans about looming hotspots. (Why I focus on foreign policy...) * Attempt to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...) * And I always make sure at the end of the episode to share plenty of motivation and wisdom, because I want to do my small part to help encourage you and lift you up. Life is certainly hard, and I think it’s fair to say all of us need all the motivation and encouragement that we can possibly get. Again, you should listen to it from the player above, or from whatever podcast you listen to it from. And if you love what I’m doing here, please sign up for email notifications. It’s FREE. Unless you choose to subscribe and support what I’m doing. It’s $5 per month should you choose that option, and you can cancel at any time. Also, people are always asking me on social media how to best support my dreams, including getting out future books sooner. Believe me, the best way to support me is by signing up for a paid subscription here. Or, you can sign up at Patreon or at Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell). Why paid subscriptions help... Enough of the sales pitch, I hope you enjoy today’s edition. Again, you should listen to it from the player above. And what follows are some of the news reports/source notes that I quote from in the podcast, as well as the motivation and wisdom links I read. Selected source notes for the podcast. In this episode, we’ll be discussing several topics, that I think will really interest you, and that I almost guarantee you haven’t seen in the news! This includes: Timestamp: 2:28. A bit of a intro/preamble to all the objects being shot down in the United States. Timestamp: 5:08. Why the U.S. is shooting these objects down now? US defends decision to shoot down 3 unidentified objects From the story: The White House defended the shootdowns of three unidentified objects in as many days even as it acknowledged that officials had no indication the objects were intended for surveillance in the same manner as the high-altitude Chinese balloon that traversed American airspace earlier this month. The three objects, including one shot down Sunday over Lake Huron, were unmanned and traveling at such a low altitude as to pose a risk to civilian commercial air traffic, said White House national security spokesman John Kirby. And though the Biden administration does not yet have evidence that they were equipped for spying purposes, officials have not ruled that out either, he said. Timestamp: 6:21. Could it be UFOs? What’s my take on that? Timestamp: 8:53. Will the Biden Administration be honest about this with the public? Ukraine news: Timestamp: 11:49. Internet provider Starlink, which is closely associated with Elon Musk, admits blocking Ukrainian troops from using satellite technology in some instances. What is happening there? SpaceX admits blocking Ukrainian troops from using satellite technology From the story: The president of SpaceX revealed the company has taken active steps to prevent Ukrainian forces from using the critical Starlink satellite technology with Ukrainian drones that are a key component of their fight against Russia. “There are things that we can do to limit their ability to do that,” Gwynne Shotwell told reporters on Wednesday, referencing reports on Starlink and drone use. “There are things that we can do, and have done.” Starlink was never meant to be used militarily in the way that it has, Shotwell argued, saying the company didn’t foresee how profoundly – and creatively – Ukrainian forces would rely on the technology. Timestamp: 16:24. Ukraine has begun training its troops on German Leopard tanks in Poland. Hear my take on that and what it could mean for the war. Timestamp: 21:32. A new report has come out that lays out the specifics of Russia's vast program to take Ukraine's children from their families or legal guardians, relocate them across borders, and "re-educate" them to be pro-Russia. I’ll share just a couple of snippets from that. From the link above: This… 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