Podcast Episode 12-28-23. (Includes video.)

Welcome to The View from the Front podcast. My name is Stan and this is the Dec. 28th edition. 

You can listen to the podcast by clicking the blue button above. Or, you can watch the video below on YouTube.

I really hope you get something out of it.

Please note: There is also an un-edited, AI-generated transcript, that you can find by clicking the Transcript button at upper right, under the podcast player device.

Or, you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below:

Questions? Comments? You are welcome to comment below. I read all comments and answer most of them. You can also reach out privately at: authorstanrmitchell@yahoo.com. (You can say “hi,” vent, or send news tips! I love all three of those things!)

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 emerging hotspots and foreign policy news 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. I really hope you get something out of it.

Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

U.S. news:

U.S. strikes Iran-backed militias in Iraq after troops are wounded in drone attack

About 3,500 U.S. troops remain in Iraq and Syria to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State extremist group. Iran has long backed militias in an effort to dislodge the U.S. presence in the region.

…

In a statement Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned the drone attack and the U.S. response, which he said killed one Iraqi service member and injured 18 others, including civilians.

“This constitutes a clear hostile act. It runs counter to the pursuit of enduring mutual interests in establishing security and stability, and it opposes the declared intention of the American side to enhance relations with Iraq,” he said.

DOD Announces Aid Package for Ukraine

The Defense Department today announced a security assistance package for Ukraine valued at up to $250 million. 

The package includes air defense capabilities, artillery and antitank weapons and other equipment to help Ukraine in its continued fight to counter Russia's unprovoked invasion.  

…

The security assistance package announced today is likely the last until Congress authorizes additional funds. 

Included in it were:

The Pentagon revealed what was included in the new package of military aid to Ukraine

🔹additional ammunition for the NASAMS air defense system;

🔹 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles;

🔹components of the air defense system;

🔹additional ammunition for HIMARS;

🔹artillery shells of caliber 155 mm and 105 mm;

🔹TOW missiles;

🔹 Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank systems;