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). My hope is you end each show better informed, less worried, and more optimistic (about both our country and your life). I’ve got timestamps below on the various topics, as well as source notes you can refer to.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, there are several ways you can do so.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/authorstanrmitchellAnd 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: 12:54. The Secretary of Defense has made some moves this week that deserve applause. Let’s highlight a few before we get into more critical coverage.Timestamp: 17:37. The Trump Administration dropped its first negotiating lines regarding Ukraine. I share what Trump and Secretary Hegseth are saying, plus my thoughts and those of some other analysts.Timestamp: 32:15. The Secretary of Defense has described how American forces will be deployed across Africa and Europe in the near future. You might be surprised by what he said.Timestamp: 36:01. The disruption of USAID has caused much damage, and even put lives at risk. Here’s the latest on that increasingly explosive news.Timestamp: 54:16. Two bits of positive Ukraine news that haven’t really made the news.Timestamp: 58:11. Here are three pieces of news coming out of China that haven’t gotten enough attention.Timestamp: 1:06:58. Let me end by sharing some spiritual encouragement for you all out there.Have a question? Or want to provide some feedback? Record a voice memo in your phone and email it to stanrmitchell2012@gmail.com. Please include at least your first name and city. (Or full name if you want to get a little famous.)Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.Links to my preliminary thoughts.U.S. news:Pentagon to restore Fort Liberty's name to Fort BraggDefense Secretary Discusses Force Posturing in Africa, EuropeDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth today spoke about DOD's force posturing priorities on the European and African continents while meeting with members of the media during a visit to U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, GermanyWhen asked whether visiting Africom on his first overseas trip as defense secretary should be taken as a sign that U.S. strategic aims in Africa are changing, Hegseth pointed to the threat posed by China in that region.He said China's intentions are pernicious, not just in their part of the world but also on the African continent."And America's posture there, along with allies and partners, is going to matter contesting that space. So, it certainly remains a priority," he continued.In addition to continually monitoring China's presence in Africa, Hegseth said force posturing in Africom's area of responsibility is countering the ongoing terror threat in that region.As an example of this, he pointed to the Feb. 1, 2025, airstrikes against ISIS targets in Somalia that Africom coordinated in conjunction with the Federal Government of Somalia.Hegseth said the operation was an example of DOD returning tactical decision-making authority to senior military commanders."That's a reflection … of pushing authority down untying the hands of warfighters," he said. "[Such decisions] should be made at the four-star level or at the Secretary of Defense level more quickly based on the ability to degrade the enemy," he added.Regarding troop posturing in the European area of responsibility, Hegseth — who visited U.S. European Command earlier in the day — said there are currently no plans to shift forces from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region to deal with the emerging threat from China. He added that force posturing across the world will be reviewed.The secretary said peacefully ending the war in Ukraine and ensuring European NATO countries raise their defense spending to sufficient levels would need to occur before the U.S. would consider any significant re-posturing of forces.Hegseth clarified that any future re-posturing of U.S. forces in Europe should not be viewed as an abandonment of America's allies."We would be remiss in not reviewing force posture everywhere, but it would be the wrong planning assumption to say, 'America is abandoning [Europe]' or...
