Welcome to The View from the Front podcast. My name is Stan and this is the July 11th edition. You can listen to the podcast by clicking the link above. There is also an AI-generated transcript that you can find above. Or, you can find the podcast on your favorite channel by searching by name Stan R. Mitchell and The View from the Front.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 with my podcast:* Cover the news and foreign policy reports that you absolutely should know. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)* Work 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 finally, I always share plenty of motivation and wisdom at the end of each episode.Take a listen to the podcast above. I really hope you get something out of it. Or, you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below:By the way, if you’ve been enjoying the show for a while… you can sign up to support the show at the link below. (Or use the two options below that.)You can also now sign up at Patreon or send a tip through Venmo (@authorstanrmitchell).Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.U.S. news:This was Tuesday: The Biden question has been answered: he's not leaving.But by Wednesday, it seemed the ground had shifted again. Nancy Pelosi opened the door, subtly, to replacing Biden.George Clooney called for Joe Biden to step down, saying he witnessed the President’s declineFirst Senate Democrat asked Biden to leave race, and now nine members of the House who are Democrats have spoken out publicly about itSo, we will just have to see.In other political news, Trump’s VP choice may be down to 3. Here’s what each brings. (Breaking down the advantages of having Marco Rubio, J.D. Vance or Doug Burgum on the ticket — and what they lack.)July 4 U.S. Central Command UpdateIn the past 24 hours U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed surface vessels (USV) in the Red Sea and one Houthi radar site in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.It was determined the USVs and radar site presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.US to complete withdrawal from Niger base SundayThe U.S. is set to complete its withdrawal of forces and equipment Sunday from an air base in Niamey, the capital of the West African country of Niger, with a joint ceremony marking the occasion.Next on the U.S. agenda is its exit from a Niger drone base that is scheduled to be completed in August.The departures are in compliance with a September 15 deadline agreed upon by the U.S. and Niger’s ruling junta, after Niger’s new military leaders ordered U.S. troops to leave following a coup in Niamey last year.U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, in Niger to coordinate the exits, told reporters by video conference that the bulk of the U.S. forces in Niger will be transferred to European locations. However, he said small teams of U.S. forces have been relocated to other West African countries.Ukraine news:Russia strikes a children's hospital in Kyiv and other sites across UkraineJoint Statement on Strengthening Ukraine’s Air DefensesUkraine’s first F-16s will see combat this summer, officials sayNATO to announce new military command to train Ukrainian troops, appoint Kyiv representative, Sullivan saysIn the coming days, the NATO alliance will announce a new military command in Germany to train and equip Ukrainian troops, as well as appoint a new NATO senior representative in Kyiv, U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said on July 9 at the start of the NATO summit in Washington.Outlining measures the U.S. and NATO allies will take to further support for Ukraine, Sullivan briefly detailed "robust new measures," including previously unannounced plans for a three-star general to lead a new German military command for "training, equipping, and force development program for Ukrainian troops."Sullivan also announced that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will appoint a new senior NATO representative in Kyiv to "deepen Ukraine's institutional relationship with the alliance and serve as the focal point for NATO's engagement with senior Ukrainian officials."China news:Japan and the Philippines sign a defense pact in the face of shared alarm over ChinaMotivation and wisdom:Here’s some motivation and encouragement for you, because we all know that life is hard and pep talks help.I always like to share a few from the Bible, or that touch on Jesus, because Christianity and the Bible have become such a source of strength and wisdom and calm for me during the past couple of years.And ...
