I’ve no idea how many megabytes of e-junkmail I handle each morning, but in the sludge — and a separate folder for circulars associated with defense, diplomacy, and security — there are often gems. Some I share to the BackChannels “Reader” on Facebook, but this morning I thought to share a few here as well.
Forwarded by Katrina Lantos Swett on behalf of the real life hero of “Hotel Rwanda”, Paul Rusesabagina — Birrell, Ian. “The dictator who fooled us.” UnHerd, February 23, 2021 | Barbaro, Michael. “A Battle for the Soul of Rwanda.” Podcast. The New York Times, February 18, 2021 | Kellner, Mark A. “Paul Rusesabagina, ‘Hotel Rwanda’ Hero Who Credited Adventist Upbringing, On Trial in Kigali.” Religion Unplugged, February 24, 2021. The Lantos Foundation accepts donations, and there is a petition for Paul Rusesabagina: “President Biden: Demand the Release of Paul Rusesabagina.”
Recent and related: Burke, Jason. “Hotel Rwanda dissident goes on trial accused of terrorism and murder.” The Guardian, February 17, 2021.
The trial is controversial. Kagame, who won a third term in power with 98% of the vote at elections in 2017, is credited with the development and stability Rwanda has experienced since the genocide in 1994, but is also accused of intolerance of any opposition, whether domestic or international. Critics of his rule are frequently detained and several high-profile political dissidents have been murdered abroad.
Burke, Jason. “Hotel Rwanda dissident goes on trial accused of terrorism and murder.” The Guardian, February 17, 2021.
Well, perhaps that’s enough before I get into listing what catches my attention (what doesn’t?) from the global defense and security shops and others moving related information worldwide.
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