The Globe and Mail has a story about Riyadh Lafta:
Riyadh Lafta, who co-authored a controversial study that estimated the war-related deaths at more than half a million, had planned to tell students at Simon Fraser University about his work and then spend a week in retreat near West Vancouver, writing a paper about an alarming rise in cancers among Iraqi children.
He would have left Canada today. Instead, he taught to all-but-empty classes at al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad, with students fearful of attacks choosing to not leave their homes.
"This country is a killing machine," said Dr. Lafta in a phone interview from Baghdad. "And can one escape death? No one can."
In January, two car bombs ripped through his university, killing 70 and injuring more than 200, mostly students. In February, a female suicide bomber killed more than 40 more. Several days ago, Dr. Lafta received word that one of his colleagues - a pediatric lecturer in Baghdad, although Dr. Lafta would not give his name - had been killed.
"They took money from his family, and yet still they assassinated him," he said.
"Even a man who is a little bit well known is at extreme risk of being killed," he said. "Now, when I talk to you, really I am risking my life."
Dr. Lafta, 47, rarely speaks with the media and would not discuss much of his life in Baghdad: his family, his daily routine, his new research, or his political views. His home was searched by coalition forces several weeks ago. ...
"It is our duty to concentrate on the things that are alarming and disastrous to our population," he said. "This is unpopular. I know it is. But the challenge is to find the truth. I am not a politician. I hate politics." ...
While many professionals have left the country, Dr. Lafta's work - and his patriotism - keep him in Iraq.
"I can't leave my home just because I am scared of being killed," he said. "I think have lived enough."
Hat tip: Stephen Soldz.