Extended edition: Episode 3-21-23

Good morning, my friends!

Here’s today’s brief round-up of news, thoughts, etc.

If you just happened to stumble by, here’s what I’m doing with The View from the Front extended edition.

My name is Stan R. Mitchell and I’m a prior Marine, journalist, and man who loves this country with all of my heart. I also like to focus on covering our military and looming hot spots, while also trying to unite the country as best I can.

In every edition, I primarily share a combination of news currently happening, as well as my thoughts. I send these out each morning.

I truly do appreciate all my supporters and listeners, and The View from the Front extended edition is just a small way I want to repay those who have signed up as paid subscribers. (And it also is another step forward toward the long-term dream and vision I currently have.)

I will also continue to do my weekly podcast each Thursday.

If you’d like to upgrade and go from free to paid, here’s the link:

But no pressure. I’ve already got a nice contingent of awesome, paying supporters, and this is mostly for them.

If you have any questions, you can email me at: authorstanrmitchell@yahoo.com.

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

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Russia and Ukraine news:

China’s leader Xi Jinping is in Russia for a three-day visit. Day one included a four-and-a-half hour meal and NOT meeting Jinping at the airport, because that’s official Russian protocol (Is this not MORE proof that the Russians are a cold-hearted people? I jest. But only a little. lol.)

The Associated Press @AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the Kremlin, sending a message to Western leaders allied with Ukraine that their efforts to isolate Moscow have fallen short.

apnews.comPutin sticks to protocol during Chinese leader Xi’s visitMOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin wasn’t waiting at the end of the red carpet to greet Chinese leader Xi Jinping upon his arrival in Russia on Monday for a high-profile visit .

The Washington Post stated that Putin and Xi appear to be positioning themselves as the leaders of a new global order opposed to U.S. power.

Interestingly, Japan’s leader is in Kyiv to back Ukraine as China’s Xi visits Russia.

Putin may be glad to finally have a friend, so to speak, in the short term, but he may regret the imbalance between China and Russia. As Russia’s economic and military might crater further, Putin will soon find China using its clout with the Kremlin to extract further political concessions, including Chinese access to Arctic naval bases owned by Russia or pressuring Russia to alter its own dealings with China’s regional rivals, such as India, argues a group of experts in an analysis piece of The Washington Post.

While Putin is feasting with Jinping, more and more bad news is happening in Ukraine.

Poland is delivering four Soviet Mig-29 fighters.

The Washington Post @washingtonpost

Poland will deliver an initial batch of four its Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Thursday, ramping up pressure on other NATO allies to make similar commitments.

wapo.stPoland says it will be first NATO country to give fighter jets to UkrainePolish President Andrzej Duda said the country would deliver the first Soviet-made MiG-29s in the coming days.

And as I discussed as a possible option two weeks ago on the podcast, Slovakia is moving forward to donate its fleet of 13 MIGs.

The Associated Press @AP

Slovakia’s government has approved a plan to give Ukraine its fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets. Slovakia is the second NATO member country after Poland to agree to fulfill Kyiv's persistent pleas for warplanes to help defend against Russia.

apnews.comSlovakia, after Poland, agrees to give Ukraine Soviet jetsPRAGUE (AP) — Slovakia’s government on Friday approved a plan to give Ukraine its fleet of 13 Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, becoming the second NATO member country to heed the Ukrainian government’s pleas for warplanes to help defend against Russia’s invasion.

All-in-all, Ukraine can expect to receive around 20 MiG-29s from Poland, as well as the 13 that Slovakia will provide.

Finally, in weapons news for Ukraine news, I wanted to share this really cool video of the tank training that Ukrainians are getting in the United Kingdom.

What’s interesting is how each person gets their own individual training alone, and then are only brought together at the end. It’s far more complicated and complex than you’d initially imagine.

Something tells me Russian training is far simpler.