Website (and Publication) of the Week: Human Rights Watch!

               Recently I had the opportunity and pleasure to learn about Human Rights Watch and the incredible work they do around the globe in very dangerous and oppressed locations.  I am always amazed to discover an organization about which I know nothing--especially one that creates such PHENOMENAL products and one with a heart for humanity. 

Take 5 minutes and check out their yearly global report.  Your jaw will

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when you read their accounts of abuses.

  I've included links to purchase the very thick report (probably 4-5 inches thick in fact; also available on kindle) or you can download it as a PDF for free! 

http://www.hrw.org/publications

http://www.hrw.org/world-report-2012

FUUO Idea:  How about we give Foreign Area Officers (FAO) an opportunity to conduct all or part of their In-Country-Training (ICT) working with Human Rights Watch (or another NGO) overseas (in country or at one of their headquarters)?  This obviously wouldn't work for every officer or in every circumstance but how better to bridge the gap between Defense and NGO/IGO/OGOs than to work side by side.

FUUO Idea #2:  At the end of the fall and spring quarter at NPS (Naval Postgraduate School), we have an enrichment week in which no classes are scheduled, why not give FAOs an opportunity to intern at HRW (or any other NGO) headquarters (or at one of their other locations)?  HRW gets a competent, intelligent officer and the FAO gains insight and experience outside of his/her normal area of expertise/experience.  #WIN-WIN


P.S. In case you forgot:
http://fuuo.blogspot.com/2010/10/fuuo-defines-chatham-house-rules.html

Rest in Peace: LTC Shannon Beebe dies in plane crash

I am sad to report that LTC Shannon Beebe died in a plane crash last weekend.  I had only met LTC Beebe a handful of times but he was someone that I admired deeply.  As a young officer just starting out as an Africa FAO,  LTC Beebe was always kind, sincere and humble in our interactions.  His book The Ultimate Weapon is No Weapon: Human Security and the New Rules of War and Peace was one of the first books I read as an Africa FAO and has profoundly shaped my perspective on the realm of possibilities for a FAO working in Africa.   He was someone that carried with him a light and a brightness everywhere he went.  He will be missed.

LINKS:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/he-thrilled-at-the-most-challenging-flying-but-died-in-routine-test-flight/2011/08/12/gIQA8gmxBJ_story.html

http://mountvernon.patch.com/articles/remembering-mount-vernon-lawyer-elizabeth-pignatello-39#photo-7362985

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/08/shannon-beebe-dies-in-fauquier-county-plane-crash-64982.html

http://www.google.com/search?q=ltc+shannon+beebe+died

http://features.rr.com/article/07CtdYL2H5bDd

http://www.hotsr.com/news/localnews/2011/08/12/lh-graduate-security-expert-dies-in-virg-50.php

http://cseees.unc.edu/News/Beebe