Extended edition: Episode 4-4-23

Good morning, my friends!

Here’s today’s brief round-up of news and some daily motivation.

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.

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 add value and 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.

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U.S. news:

Officials: US providing Ukraine $2.6 billion in military aid

From the story:

The U.S. will send Ukraine about $500 million in ammunition and equipment and will spend more than $2 billion to buy an array of munitions, radar and other weapons in the future, U.S. officials said, as the Ukrainian troops prepare for a spring offensive against Russian forces.

The ammunition rounds, along with grenade launchers and vehicles, will be taken from military stockpiles so they can be in the war zone quickly, the officials said.

The $2.1 billion in longer-term aid, which is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, will buy missiles for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS, as well as radar and other weapons, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the aid had not yet been announced. An announcement is expected as soon as Tuesday.

Russia and Ukraine news:

In news that will absolutely not happen, there’s this.

This didn’t really make the news when it was said, but it’s pretty big news nonetheless. And I’d make about a dozen points on why it’s not true, but no one already subscribing to The View from the Front needs to hear that.

You all know that such a statement is ludicrous, and I’m not talking about the rapper Ludacris.

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And the news regarding Finland is finally official.

Finland joins NATO, dealing blow to Russia for Ukraine war

From the story:

Finland joined the NATO military alliance Tuesday, dealing a major blow to Russia with a historic realignment of the continent triggered by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Finland’s membership represents a major change in Europe’s security landscape: The country adopted neutrality after its defeat by the Soviets in World War II. But its leaders signaled they wanted to join the alliance just months after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine sent a shiver of fear through Moscow’s neighbors.

Finland shares a 1,340 kilometer (832 mile) border with Russia, so its membership doubles Russia’s border with the world’s biggest security alliance.

China news:

U.S. Naval Institute @NavalInstitute

China’s dependence on extended overseas supply lines makes it politically and economically vulnerable.

bit.lyExploiting China’s Maritime VulnerabilityChina’s dependence on extended overseas supply lines makes it politically and economically vulnerable.

From the story:

However, there is another option. China has the second largest economy in the world and, as such, has an enormous appetite for raw materials. In a single year, it imports upward of $150 billion of crude petroleum, $99 billion of iron ore, $36.6 billion in gasoline, and $31.7 billion of refined copper.² Much of this arrives by sea.

Several different types of ships transport this cargo, and interdicting even one could disrupt Chinese commerce. For example, a single tanker can carry from 500,000 barrels of oil (Panamax tankers) up to 4,000,000 barrels (the Ultra Large Crude Carrier).³ Container ships that transport goods measure their capacity in 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), after the standard 20 by 8 by 8 foot containers. Panamax ships can load 3,000–3,400 TEUs. The Very Large and Ultra Large Container Ships can transport more than 24,000 TEUs.⁴

China’s dependence on extended overseas supply lines makes it politically and economically vulnerable. This is a critical vulnerability that, in the event of conflict, could be targeted. And U.S. Marines could help.

Middle East news:

I predicted the news below in my last podcast, that America would reinforce its forces following attacks by drones on American troops and contractors, but there was no independent verification of that at the time. I was just following my gut and what I felt confident would happen.

It’s now been confirmed.

CNN International @cnni

The US has bolstered its military forces in the Middle East following a series of attacks on US troops in Syria attributed to Iranian-affiliated militias, the Pentagon said

cnn.itUS bolsters forces in Middle East following series of attacks on US troops in Syria | CNN PoliticsThe US has bolstered its military forces in the Middle East following a series of attacks on US troops in Syria attributed to Iranian-affiliated militias, the Pentagon said Friday.

From the story:

The US has bolstered its military forces in the Middle East following a series of attacks on US troops in Syria attributed to Iranian-affiliated militias, the Pentagon said Friday.

A squadron of A-10 attack aircraft are deploying to the region ahead of a scheduled deployment. The deployment of the attack aircraft was expedited by several weeks following the attacks in Syria, according to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Phil Ventura.

In addition, the US ordered a carrier strike group to remain in the region to support US forces in Central Command, which covers the Middle East

Unfortunately, additional news has emerged from those earlier attacks.