Andrew Stroehlein

@andrewstroehlein.bsky.social

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Worked over 2 decades with Human Rights Watch & International Crisis Group. Subscribe to my free newsletter, "International Affairs for Normal People": https://www.internationalaffairsfornormalpeople.eu/ Other links: https://linktr.ee/andrewstroehlein

Last week, at the US presidential inauguration, Elon Musk gave a Nazi-style salute. Twice. Neo-Nazi groups and other white supremacists in the US and elsewhere celebrated it as a clear sign of support for white supremacist ideology. Particularly in the context of his repeated public backing of far-right parties, it's hard to see the gesture as anything else. Afterwards, Musk - the richest man in the world and now head of the new US Department of Government Efficiency, established by Trump, himself known for pushing white supremacist ideology - tried to say that what everyone saw wasn't what everyone saw. A quote from George Orwell's 1984 seems appropriate here: "The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
Putin and Netanyahu in headlines
O say can you see, the Epstein Files? No, you can't. That's because, A vile man keeps them hidden. And he's breaking the law, To protect pedophiles, Including himself, Well, why else hide the truth? And Minnesota must pay. A murder a day. To distract from the files, Next Greenland, they say. O must we lose our lives for this turd to save, In what was once called, the home of the brave?
Headline: BLING STING Small boat migrants to have jewellery & assets seized to pay for accommodation as part of Home Sec's arrivals crackdown The curbs would also target thousands of asylum seekers in hotels who first came to Britain legally and own assets such as cars
The dead of 1939-45 should never be forgotten. But we should also be mindful to count the dead of 2025. To know that in years to come, we will remember, record and honour victims of today's recurring atrocities. Each day brings news of more appalling acts by governments and armed groups in wars and conflict zones around the world. One difference now is, unlike the Nazi atrocities, many of these crimes are very public knowledge even as they occur.
The Guardian Headlines Prince Harry says king 'won't speak to him' and he would 'love' to be reconciled
Photo of an owl I took in Florida
graph of power generation by type in Europe over time
The following quote can be attributed to Lama Fakih, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch: “The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government offers Syrians an unprecedented opportunity to chart a new future built on justice, accountability, and respect for human rights. For Syrians scattered across the globe, the dream of accountability for years of crimes and brutality is closer to becoming a reality. Whoever emerges as Syria’s new leadership should make a full and determined break from the repression and impunity of the past and establish a system that respects the human rights and dignity of all Syrians regardless of background or political views. They should swiftly move to preserve and protect evidence of crimes and abuses by the former government and ensure fair, impartial justice going forward. Armed opposition groups should send a strong and unequivocal message to factions and fighters that unlawful attacks, including those targeting individuals based on perceived ties to the former government, will not be tolerated. They should commit to ensuring the humane treatment of all individuals, including former government officials and soldiers, affiliated fighters, and loyalists.”