Timestamps:
Timestamp: (1:28). I know there’s a lot going on politically, and it remains a time of great division and fear. Let’s address some of the concerns out there and hopefully lift your spirits.
Timestamp: (9:52). Is the bombing campaign against the Houthis in Yemen over? Possibly for now. But let’s examine the costs and the likelihood that it’s actually over.
Timestamp: (23:50). Who’s the bigger threat to America? Russia? Or China? For a long time, I said the latter, same as everyone else. But I read an article this week that shook me about this.
Timestamp: (43:36). The Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has survived yet another week, but how strong is his support in the military?
Timestamp: (51:40). Rapid round: Steve Witkof needs to get his act together; India and Pakistan are on the brink of war; President Trump has ordered U.S. intelligence to start spying on Greenland; and finally, there are prelimary talks that the United States might send troops into Gaza to help adminsiter a post-war situation.
Timestamp: (1:00:29). Let me end by sharing some spiritual encouragement.
Hi everyone! Thank you for being here.
If you’re new to the show, let me say this. 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 verses from the Bible (without being too pushy).
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.
As a reminder, monthly paid subscribers through Substack also get access to bonus audio summaries and special “Insider Brief” newsletters. These typically drop once a week.
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Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.
U.S. news:
A look at the cost of the operations against the Houthis.
First, news broke last week that the Navy lost a $60 to $70 million aircraft.
Here’s how it happened, according to Military.com.
The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier lost an F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet and a tow tractor when both fell overboard on Monday, the Navy said in a statement.
This incident marks the second Super Hornet that the Truman has lost while deployed to the Red Sea, and it is the third major mishap that has occurred aboard the aircraft carrier in the last several months.
"The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft," the statement said, adding the "sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard."
A U.S. official confirmed to Military.com that initial reports indicated the Truman made a hard turn to evade Houthi fire, which contributed to the fighter jet falling overboard.
The Institute for the Study of War claimed that the Houthis “used a complex strike package combining ballistic and cruise missiles and drones to force the USS Harry S. Truman to take evasive action.”
It seems that was a pretty sophisticated attempt by the Houthis.
Back to the cost of this to date, besides losing the fighter jet mentioned above, the Houthis continue to knock out MQ-9 Reaper drones. They’ve now downed seven of them in the past month and a half.
While this is approximately $300 million in losses between the jet and the drones, it hasn’t been the only cost, as we lost another plane this week.
Some articles put the total cost of the attacks against the Houthis as over a billion dollars, when add in the cost of the munitions, missiles, and bombs that we used.
Is China or Russia the bigger threat to the United States? There’s a clear answer.
In other news this weekend, Ukraine made history. (They had previously shot down helicopters, but never a jet.)
In Hegseth news, it appears the troops aren’t buying the act as well as he’d like. A great story below on it, if you have a moment.
Across military Reddit forums and enlisted meme pages, Hegseth has become a regular target of satire, often referred to with nicknames such as "DUI Hire," "Whiskey Leaks" and "Kegseth." The references allude to past controversies, including alleged alcohol abuse and an incident in which he shared sensitive Yemen attack plan details in an unsecured Signal group chat that included a journalist.
…
Military.com spoke with more than a dozen service members ranging from noncommissioned officers to a general. They were all given anonymity out of concerns over retaliation.
The jabs at and mocking of Hegseth, while not unprecedented for senior military officials, appear unusually persistent and pervasive. Other high-ranking leaders have been the butt of jokes and the target of online irreverence -- such as Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer, the Army's top enlisted leader who was mocked online for his perceived preoccupation with grooming standards -- but those moments have tended to fade quickly.
In Hegseth's case, satire has become part of the daily discourse.
In a recent Reddit post on the Marine Corps forum that featured the reports of Hegseth setting up a makeup studio in the Pentagon, one user quipped “wouldn’t this fall under gender-affirming care?”
India and Pakistan
The Indian government said its forces had struck nine sites in Pakistan
While India in recent years has struck Pakistan-administered Kashmir and areas close to it during periods of rising tensions, the attack on Wednesday included strikes on Punjab, in mainland Pakistan, for the first time in more than half a century.
A couple of things from this week’s Insider Brief for The View from the Front podcast, edition 5-5-25
First, this is huge for Ukraine if this hasn’t been halted yet by the Trump Administration.
From the story:
Ukraine is getting more help in its war with Russia.
A Patriot air-defense system that was based in Israel will be sent to Ukraine after it is refurbished, four current and former U.S. officials said in recent days, and Western allies are discussing the logistics of Germany or Greece giving another one.
The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions, declined to describe President Trump’s view of the decision to transfer more Patriot systems to Ukraine.
The White House’s National Security Council does not provide details on the strength and placement of defense systems, said James Hewitt, a spokesman for the council. “President Trump has been clear: he wants the war in Ukraine to end and the killing to stop,” he said.
A former White House official said that the Biden administration had secured the agreement with Israel in September, before the election won by Mr. Trump. The Defense Department said in a statement that “it continues to provide equipment to Ukraine from previously authorized” packages, referring to weaponry pulled from existing inventories and new purchases.
In other weapons news, did you all see this?
Let me end by sharing some spiritual encouragement for you all out there.
As you know, if you want true peace, I believe you should look to God and the Bible for that — not a country, not a party, and certainly not a person. I believe that not only can God give you ever-lasting life, but that He can also give you peace in this life. God is like a good shepherd. He leads you by the still waters. He restores your soul. He guides you out of the death and destruction of sin. If you know nothing about the Bible, but want to test the waters and maybe try it out, check out my resource page here.
By the way, if you’re dealing with depression, PTSD, or thoughts of suicide, I have a link I’d like you to check out. In fact, it’s an entire page long. A pep talk, if you will, that I believe will help. I also have listed a hotline that you can call, whether you’re a service member or just a civilian. Here’s the page: PTSD.
I also wanted to share some words from Pastor Rich Bitterman (link below):
John tells us that Jesus is also the Baptizer with the Spirit.
He does not merely pardon — He transforms.
He does not merely wipe the slate clean — He breathes new life into the dust of dead souls.
Eyes that once saw nothing but self now see the splendor of God.
Ears once deaf to mercy now hear the music of grace.
Hearts once stone now beat with the pulse of eternity.
…
Today, Christ stands among us still.
He comes not with crowns or armies.
He comes in preaching.
He comes in Scripture.
He comes in the whispered tug at your heart even now.
You may brush past Him in the crowd.
You may hear the words but close your ears.
You may sit so close to eternity that the hem of His robe could brush your knee — and still turn away.
Or —
You may behold the Lamb.
And live.
Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Look — while there is still time.
As you know, if you want true peace, I believe you should look to God and the Bible for that — not a country, not a party, and certainly not a person. I believe that not only can God give you ever-lasting life, but that He can also give you peace in this life. God is like a good shepherd. He leads you by the still waters. He restores your soul. He guides you out of the death and destruction of sin. If you know nothing about the Bible, but want to test the waters and maybe try it out, check out my resource page here.
I also have a podcast that focuses solely on faith called The Search for God. You can find it below.
Love my moderate, optimistic view of politics and want to know more about how I see things?
Go here:
I always like to end with an important reminder, whether you’re a Chrisitan or not.
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:
For $5 per month, you can subscribe with Substack: https://stanrmitchell.substack.com/subscribe
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That’s it for this edition.
Want to talk to me directly?
Email me at the following address: stanrmitchell2012@gmail.com. I love hearing feedback, compliments, and even constructive criticism. 👊💓🙏
To God be the glory,
Stan R. Mitchell
P.S. Don’t forget that I've also written twelve fast, exciting books.
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