Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. Mary and Richard. texaschildrens.site/duncan-nri/hen
Richard Engel’s Tweets
You know you’re an unpopular leader when Sweden is sending your enemy 5,000 anti-tank missiles.
Police seemed very chummy with the protesters who also seemed to know exactly where to go.
Walking around kabul. Hard stares. Mood changing. People not just sad, but angry, blaming the US for abandoning the country to war, chaos, and the Taliban
Just watched Ukrainians tear down road signs in an effort to confuse advancing Russian troops.
US officials tell me ALARM BELL RINGING among diplomats in DC that U.S. could one day be held responsible for Crimes Against Humanity for ethnic cleansing of Syrian Kurds by opening the door to it, watching it, encouraging it (Trump's tweets and statements) and not stopping it.
The more I talk talk to sources, the more i’m hearing America’s betrayal of the Kurds, and the humiliation, “misogynistic” “squashing” of US ambassador in Ukraine for political motivations makes people think, we, Americans, have become the “bad guys.” Hearing it was gut punch.
So much disinformation out there. Independent investigators here in Ukraine have told me, repeatedly: Joe Biden did NOT stop an investigation into his son. In fact, US officials, including Biden, were pushing for MORE oversight of the company where Hunter Biden was a board member
At kabul airport, military side, more order than before. Evacuations picking up. Seeing more Afghan families being taken through. Planes taking off. Base well guarded.
I’ve long worried how Trump would react when forced into a corner/ nervous/angry. For 3 years, he’s mostly gotten his way - passing though impeachment proceedings and various scandals; but times could be changing and reaching a head. The signs look dangerous.
One of the centerpieces of the London protests. Trump on a golden commode, and it talks, says “fake news” and “witch hunt”
The kurds lost their homeland in Syria which they fought for with US forces in the battle agaist Isis, losing 11 thousand of their men and women. Tonight they were sold out by Trump who says he saved millions of lives. It will be remembered by the kurds as the greatest betrayal.
Researchers are making amazing progress using Henry’s cells to help cure RETT Syndrome so others don’t have to endure this terrible disease. To support the research: texaschildrens.site/duncan-nri/hen
Thinking tonight about all the Afghans who only knew what life was like over the past 20 years. There was violence, yes, but also hope and opportunities. Now both are gone, especially for girls and women.
Vatican Press Office confirms to that Pope Francis went to the Russian embassy in Rome on Friday to personally express his concern about the war in Ukraine, in an extraordinary papal gesture that has no recent precedent.
Turkey’s conflict in Syria took a major turn today. First alleged atrocities by Turkish-backed Arab militias, executing Kurds. US military officials tell me it's true, and they are DEEPLY concerned it opens the door to BOTH ethnic cleansing of Kurds and return of ISIS/Al-Qaeda
Biden says human rights center of US policy. A hard sell tonight where im sitting outside the kabul airport.
Massive attacks underway against the kurds in northern syria. No ceasefire. Total nonsenses there is. US military officials tell me they are ashamed, “sickened.” It’s cold now outside. What about the families, and kids, out of their homes? #AmericanBetrayal
Biden speech. None of the Trump swagger. Not sarcastic. Not all about him. It’s about America. About healing. About respect. About opportunities. This is the kind of speech that attracted people of the world to the United States for many years.
Don’t panic. Doctors/ virologists I’m speaking to say 98% of people will be fine, even if they get Covid-19. They expect it will go around the world, but that most people who get it will be a little sick, then recover. The danger is to vulnerable people. Hospitals/ old age homes.
Exasperated Iraqi PM can’t understand how USA can send a letter “clearly talking about withdrawal” and then say its a mistake. Prime minister’s overall message is: how disorganized is the US administration?
What a mess in the Middle East. Shiite world enraged. Sunni states nervous. Isis fight on back burner. US allies against ISIS (Kurds) betrayed. Iran and US trading blood curdling threats. All this to make Americans safer the administration says?
Seeing lots of Ukrainian checkpoints, heavy weapons and plenty of civil defense volunteers. Ukraine is digging in for a big fight.
Two virologists I’ve spoken to say coronavirus is not an end of days virus. They say take precautions/work for a vaccine, but emphasized this isn’t “the big one.”
Pompeo was so unpopular among many staffers at CIA for his bullying and outbursts that two well-placed sources tell us his security detail had an “Emancipation Party” after he left.
Just watched a fox news reporter criticizing a lack of transparency in vote counting while he was INSIDE a voting center, as ballots were calmly being processed behind him.
From abroad, the mass shootings in the US seem like a preventable illness. Two friends in the UK independently told me “if Americans don’t want to fix the problem, I can’t feel sorry for them.” It gave me pause.
For everyone following Henry’s story, unfortunately he’s taken a turn for the worse. His condition progressed and he’s developed dystonia: uncontrolled shaking/ stiffness. He was in the hospital for 6 weeks, but is now home and getting love from brother Theo.
The highest-ranking North Korean defector in decades told me Kim Jong UN likes President Trump because he’s not “moral,” and doesn't judge."All previous US presidents so far have been very moral and they paid great attention on the America’s moral image," he said of Trump.
I asked President Zelenskyy how he’s holding up under the pressure of this situation, with his popularity soaring and comparisons to Churchill. He said he’s happy to be helping his nation, and joked about Churchill, that he doesn’t drink as much.
Brave Afghan women protesting for their rights in Kabul. “Work, education and political participation is every woman’s right”
Seems like some in the military, now openly being encouraged by respected former commanders, have decided they will not takeover America for President Trump. A possible tipping point. Certainly would have been, had it gone the other way.
Seen many Ukrainians evacuating dogs and cats. First squirrel.
Seems telling about the state of America now that LTC Vindman, a purple heart vet whose hands and papers were shaking nervously, wanted to reassure his father not to worry, that he'll be "fine for telling the truth."
Syria Kurdish official told us, reacting to Trump’s overnight decision.
“The Americans are traitors. They have abandoned us to a Turkish massacre.
We can no longer fight against isis and have to defend ourselves. This could allow isis to return to the region.”
A former Ukrainian lawmaker deeply familiar with the Giuliani dirt-digging campaign told me Trump's phone call to the Ukrainian president asking for an investigation into the Bidens, while withholding vital military aid, was "pressure," "blackmail," and "quid pro quo."
A sr military official told me US special forces troops distraught, upset, morally disturbed by having to tell their kurdish allies in Syria that, because of orders, their promises of defense won’t be kept.
One great side of more time at home. For a smile, hi from Theo!
The Coronavirus Is the Worst Intelligence Failure in U.S. History, and It's All Trump's Fault
There’s a reason Kurds are sharing so much intelligence. They want to show they played, and still play, a vital role fighting ISIS. That they lost 11,000 people doing it, and should not be abandoned by the US while their homeland is under attack. It's not about bragging rights.
Multiple reports and videos of Russian vehicles running out of fuel, stuck on the roads in Ukraine. There’s now an online campaign here telling Ukrainians, ‘if Russians ask you for fuel, give it to them, half full of sugar.’
Go go go! We love you.
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Since we all could use a little happiness in our lives these days
My youngest son (age 5) has progressive cerebellar atrophy and is physically handicapped. He also has 10 therapies a week. Today, he finally took independent steps!! #MyHero #NeverGiveUp
My youngest son (age 5) has progressive cerebellar atrophy and is physically handicapped. He also has 10 therapies a week. Today, he finally took independent steps!! #MyHero #NeverGiveUp
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There is something I call the Dictator's Treadmill: once you get on, you can’t get off, because falling off means ending up in jail. It's something I often consider wherever I report. What options does the leader have, and what is he/she willing to do not to fall off?
Frankly i’m getting tired of hearing people “losing interest” in the war in Ukraine like it’s a hobby or new toy. History isn’t kind to those who don’t pay attention to world events or read the room, even when it’s uncomfortable, especially when it’s uncomfortable.
The separatists are claiming Ukrainians are attacking and besieging them. I’ve walked up and down those trenches for the last several months. Saw no signs of ongoing or impending Ukrainian offensive. None.
US military announced its suspending anti-ISIS operations in Iraq. Iraq parliament requests govt to kick out US forces. Massive protests in Iran. North Korea says it will show off new military technology soon. All have knock-on effects. More danger. More instability.
Afghans heading out of Kabul on an American C17. One small bag each to start a new life.
Kremlin spokesman says goal of “special operation” in Ukraine: “it is necessary to liberate Ukraine, to clear it of the Nazis.” But Ukraine is not run by Nazis and Ukrainians say they don’t want Russia to “liberate” them.
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy says he remains in Kyiv, has moved his family to an undisclosed location. “I cannot tell you where they are at right now. We have information the enemy as defined me as number one target and my family as a number two target.”
Olesya got married today in a battlefield ceremony in Kyiv as Russian forces push closer into the city.
Ukrainian great grandmother, Valentina Constantinovska, on an Ak-47, training to defend against a possible Russian attack. “Your mother would do it too,” she told me.
US officials tell me Trump wants to wash his hands of responsibility for the Kurds. The US mil/gov gave Kurds REPEATED assurances of protection. US even asked Kurds to REMOVE defenses BEFORE the Turkish offensive. Kurds complied and now being displaced. WH says not our problem.
President Trump is saying ‘let the people in the Middle East fight it out, we don’t care.’ What kind of message is that? They are fighting this land grab in Syria right now BECAUSE President Trump created a vacuum by ordering troops out without a plan, or even warning our allies.
Kurds say they didn’t sacrifice 11,000 men and women fighting ISIS with US special forces to become guards for remote Syrian oil fields.
Thank you everyone for all the kind messages, from Henry, our Mr. Handsome.
Why would North Korea negotiate on its nuclear program if US walks away from a deal international agencies say Iran is living up to?
Kurdish commander Gen Mazlum Kobane makes an urgent appeal, telling Syria's Kurds face what could become “the biggest ethnic cleansing operation of the 21st century... happening in front of the American army's eyes.” He blames Turkey and Trump. Coming up
Perhaps the biggest risk-calculation/moral dilemma of the war so far. A massive Russian convoy is abt 30 miles from Kyiv. The US/NATO could likely destroy it. But that would be direct involvement against Russia and risk, everything. Does the West watch in silence as it rolls?
Iranians will consider US killing soleimani an act of war. A proxy war could erupt. Likely in iraq, but also a danger in lebanon and israel. This is a big escalation.
Smoke and mirrors. Putin just recognized an area in Ukraine he already controls by claiming to be stopping a genocide that isn’t happening.
Biden says human rights center or US policy. A hard sell tonight where im sitting outside the kabul airport tonight.
The US national archives - the supposed official record and repository of the nation - is now blurring and censoring historic moments? erasing/editing history to appease the powerful or placate the easily offended. History is what it is.
The failure to anticipate the rapid fall of afghan cities, including kabul, is a huge US intelligence failure. I know some US mil commanders anticipated it. They told me. Yet somehow their voices were not heard.
Tonight as the Kurdish people look up at the stars here in northern Syria, they have many big decisions to make. Where to send their families? Who can they trust? Can they reconcile with the Assad govenment? Can the trust Putin? And why Trump started all this mess to begin with.
Spoke to a professor with deep connections into Kurdish leadership in Syria. I asked him about the mood there after Trump announcement, his answer sent chills:
Hurt, betrayed, and angry.
They'll all be dead soon...
Spoke to a sr former justice dept official. He too worries Trump can’t get off, won’t get off, “dictator’s treadmill.” Once you’re on the ride is high, so you’ll do anything, and everything, to keep running and not to crash and burn. I’ve seen it all my life. Never ends well
Henry loving being out, cruising and keeping our distance. Enjoying the wind, weather and movement. Happy Sunday everyone!
Just finished interview with Dr. Fauci, US director of infectious diseases. Hour-long interview. Detailed. He said: We're dealing with clearly an emerging infectious disease that has “now reached outbreak proportions and likely pandemic proportions.”
Thank you for the messages of support! Today Henry was able to briefly support himself in a seated position during physio for the first time in a long time. Go Henry!
For more info about supporting research into neurological disorders and RETT Syndrome: duncannri.org
Remember how John McCain said spontaneous protesters in Benghazi don’t show up with RPGs and mortars? Spontaneous demonstrators also don’t show up to a protest with IEDs and flex cuffs (designed to restraining detainees)
Not normal is an understatement. It's off the hook, The wheels have come off the bus. The AG investigating US intel services, via foreign intel services? ,.. what? twitter.com/gregpmiller/st
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So Trump - who says he wants to pull US troops out of the Middle East and gave that as a big reason for abandoning the Kurds who fought and lost 11k people in the war on ISIS - now says he’ll crush Iraq (an ally) with sanctions if Iraq pushes American troops out.
This is a shocking dynamic that history will not forget. The Kurds say they are facing ethnic cleansing by a NATO country, Turkey, as US forces nearby have NO ORDERS TO HELP, only orders to defend themselves and leave Northern Syria.
Hi everyone. I’m Theo, new here. This is me, then 30 seconds later. Reason unknown. Captions welcome.
Does seem odd/telling/noteworthy that the Administration is relying so heavily on US intel about Soleimani’s intentions to justify his assassination after Trump has been so openly dismisive about Intelligence agecies assessments when it came to Russia and the 2016 election.
Often confused is that Syria’s Kurds fought ISIS FOR the US. They fought WITH the US. Kurds also saw ISIS as a threat to their values/families. The most effective fighting force against ISIS is being broken apart by Trump, with Turkey, Russia, Assad - and ISIS - reaping rewards.
Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the UK-based Lancet medical journal, wrote Trump’s decision to defund WHO: “a crime against humanity … Every scientist, every health worker, every citizen must resist and rebel against this appalling betrayal of global solidarity.”
As Syrian Kurds face what seems to be ethnic cleansing, a top human rights lawyer told us Americans could face accusations of Crimes Against Humanity: for knowing about atrocities, failing to stop them, and potentially aiding and abetting. I know some US officials are concerned.
You’re wrong. It’s been 5 yrs US troops fighting ISIS with Kurds in Syria. I watched it start. Troops coming home? There weren’t ever many in Syria, and many of them were elite special ops on frequent short deployments, going home all the time. Isis trying to rebuild, not secure.
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Replying to @realDonaldTrump
....COMING HOME! We were supposed to be there for 30 days - That was 10 years ago. When these pundit fools who have called the Middle East wrong for 20 years ask what we are getting out of the deal, I simply say, THE OIL, AND WE ARE BRINGING OUR SOLDIERS BACK HOME, ISIS SECURED!
NATO Secretary said unequivocally at a news conference just now here in Brussels that NATO has seen Russia use cluster bombs in Ukraine.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law. And we have seen the use of cluster bombs”
Since defense secretary says US troops aren't going home from Syria - where they’ve been EFFECTIVELY fighting ISIS - but moving next door to Iraq to fight ISIS from there, the only results are: 1 creating chaos which helps ISIS regroup & 2 leaving US allies, the Kurds, to die.
US intel officials tell me they’re worried the chaos at WH leaves US in weak position to deal with any potential major int crisis
Trump faces real accusations of abuse of power. Question now: are Americans smart enough NOT to fall for the conspiracy theories the administration is selling to confuse, fairytales that a cabal of leftist 'deep state' illuminati are a mission to end democracy.
At outset of 2020 we are seeing two big perils of coming decade. Climate change and its disasters, and rising authoritarian populism and its consequences.
President Trump says he defeated ISIS, totally, but guess what, the new mission for US troops in Syria is to go Iraq to, wait for it, fight ISIS. So, maybe someone convinced the commander in chief that ISIS is not as utterly defeated as he claims.
A dr treating coronavirus victims in hong kong just told me he doesn't think the world is aware of the dangers. Thinks, based on what he’s seen, the virus is far more widespread than being reported. “If you see one cockroach, you know there are more”
Kurdish commanders who worked with US troops are growing increasingly angry, frustrated, sad, as they watch US troops leaving...AND WORSE, listen to Trump being utterly dismissive as Kurds are being killed and driven from their homes by the thousands.
Pompeo, who accuses lawmakers who want answers of bullying, had fits of “anger” while at CIA, former Sr intelligence officials say. Often, an official said, it would happen if analysis didn’t match the political theme of the day. Lots of slammed phones + demands for polygraphs.
The situation in iraq/iran/Middle East could easily and quickly escalate. This is not a moment for patriotic chest thumping or war drum beating from the media. We know where that’s gotten us in the past. This will be delicate - and this administration has struggled with subtile.
Happy Birthday Henry! 5 years old today. And to all Rett and other special kids out there, we love you!
My wife wrote an essay about grieving our son Henry that is sensitive, bold and above all brave, writing about the hardest thing a parent can ever do. The Week I Spent With Our Son Henry Before He Died: Essay
In other nations, when demonstrators, urged by a cornered president, try to take over the capital building it’s called a coup. Nothing else.
Some say Afghanistan is coming full circle. Taliban were in power, now returning. It’s much worse than that: people tasted freedom, and Taliban can now claim they drove the US out. So it’s not back to the beginning, but to a new, far worse place.
Deeply upsetting the Kurds of Syria, who fought bravely against ISIS, lost so many -many still injured- now have to hide what they did, as Russia, Turkey and Assad forces will call them 'traitors,' blackmail and extort them. They will have to hide a proud history. Unfair. Wrong,
Iran making threats of mass escalation. To attack more bases in Iraq. To unleash Hezbollah. To unleash shiite militias in Iraq. To attack Israel and Dubai. Making it clear it is ready for a widespead campaign if this escalates further with a US response.
The coronavirus, scientists working directly with it tell me, is fairly easy to kill on surfaces. The disinfectants/ sanitizers do work. The hard part is neutralizing it in people.
US officials monitoring events in Syria feel terrible at what's happening to their allies the Kurds. A Kurdish official told me he understands US troops have to obey their orders to leave, and even now, appreciates the US troops who stood by the Kurds. It was very dignified.
“I, in my great and unmatched wisdom,... ?” Who talks or writes like this? The closest i can come up with was Qaddafi.
Not Mubarak. Or Ben Ali. Or Assad, let alone any European leader. Really can’t remember a current or recent example.
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