W/the North Korean hack of Binance, a reminder that North Korea has industrialized crypto heists to the tune of billions and represents the greatest national security/crypto systemic threat. My 2022 piece called for an aggressive public/private operational approach to counter the DPRK threat to the crypto economy & national security. Critical & necessary now.

Preserving Uyghur voices. Honoring lives the world must never forget. Keeping alive the hope of freedom and justice. Proud of @UyghurJustice’s vital work. Buy Untold Uyghur Stories—and help these voices reach others. 🙏🏼@hagadax @bahtiyar_mer

Ekpar Asat’s name was read out by @GraceJDrexel! It was an incredible moment. There were many people in the crowd who had been political prisoners (often in appalling and bleak conditions ), so there is hope 🙏

I was truly saddened to learn of the death of the great Patrick Stewart. Though he’s best known for playing Captain Picard on Star Trek, I really savored him as an interpreter of Shakespeare. One of my favorite of his performances was as Enobarbus in a production of Antony and Cleopatra. But I also loved him as Macbeth in a modern adaptation of the Scottish Play and as King Claudius in Hamlet. One of the very few bright spots during the awful Covid period was Stewart’s daily presentation of a Shakespeare sonnet from his back garden in Los Angeles. Dare I admit too that I loved his many appearances on Family Guy and as the narrator of the Ted movies? God rest you, Patrick Stewart, and “may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

Behind every political prisoner’s name is a life interrupted, a family torn apart, and loved ones refusing to let the world forget. On October 30, #PoliticalPrisonersDay#, my brother @DrRishatAbbas and my niece @ziba116 joined allies at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington for a gathering organized by @NED, @HRF, @freedomhouse, and coalition partners. Together, they demanded freedom for my sister, Dr. #GulshanAbbas#, and millions of innocent Uyghurs unjustly imprisoned, and an end to the persecution of the Uyghur people.

Yemeni UN human rights worker Mohammad el Shami died after more than two years in Houthi detention. His family learned only a month later—and still has no explanation. Criminalizing those who serve their people is tyranny. Release every detained UN, humanitarian, and civil-society worker.

Did China really close its overseas Chinese “police stations”? The answer’s coming November 6. Stay tuned for @SafeguardDefend new report launch at @ipacglobal Summit in The Hague!

Yesterday at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., I was honored to join distinguished human rights defenders coming from Uganda and elsewhere to stand in solidarity with political prisoners and others who have died in detention across the world. At the event, I had the opportunity to read out loud the names of many of our detained comrades in Uganda including Dr. Kizza Besigye, Ms. Kajja Doreen, and Mr. Waiswa Mufumbiro. I added my voice to the many calling upon free people anywhere in the world to support and defend the rights of political prisoners, and to support their families. I reiterate my gratitude to The October 30 Coalition, and the @NEDemocracy, for working tirelessly to raise awareness of the International Day of Political Prisoners (30 October) and advance the freedom of political prisoners worldwide. #FreeAllPoliticslPrisonersInUganda#

Look beyond who was hacked to who is doing the hacking. North Korea’s regime has turned the state into a rogue global burglar, stealing billions to fund weapons and sustain repression while its people suffer. This is a global security threat.

A Russian network of brokers sponsored by ​Pyongyang has taken North Koreans to work in Russia in exploitative conditions and in violation of UN sanctions, some at factories that ‌turn out items Moscow uses in the Ukraine war.

Autocrats imprison people to silence and isolate them. Last night at the Lincoln Memorial, former political prisoners and families led the answer: solidarity across borders. The October 30 Coalition helped bring them together. They are leading the movement. #FreedomStartsWithAName#

Highlights from the United States Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs 2026 Investment Climate Statements: Uganda -Security forces arrest opposition supporters and hold them in detention long past the constitutionally mandated limit. Reports of torture allegedly perpetrated by elements within the official security forces persist. Security services routinely use excessive force to stop peaceful protests and demonstrations. -An uncertain political environment increases risk to foreign businesses and investors. Uganda has never experienced a peaceful political transition. In the January 2026 elections, President Museveni won a seventh term with 72 percent of the vote amid reports of political violence and restrictions on democratic institutions. Speculation about the 2031 elections and the perceived absence of a succession plan adds to political uncertainty. -Endemic corruption remains a serious problem and a major obstacle to investment. While anti-corruption laws extend to family members of officials and political parties, in practice, many well-connected individuals enjoy de facto immunity for corrupt acts and are rarely prosecuted in court.