Object

Col-Tan

Tension crackles through the nighttime hallway as C.J. unleashes the name Col-Tan—a Congo mineral smuggled ruthlessly by Rwandans and Ugandans, powering cell phones and pagers while bankrolling slaughter. Donna absorbs the clarification amid Janet's confusion; Josh delivers grim death news beside it. No physical chunk materializes, yet the sanctioned resource scorches the air, bridging policy steel with human devastation.

2 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S3E13 · Night Five

Col-Tan Sanctions Clarified Before Price's Death Shatters All

Col-Tan is explicitly defined by C.J. as Congo's abundant mineral, refined into electronics components and illegally smuggled by Rwandans/Ugandans, framing the 'aid' as sanctions enforcement; it crystallizes policy's moral spine against conflict profiteering, contrasting sharply with the intimate tragedy unfolding.

Before: Abstract policy reference in discussions

After: Central clarified element underscoring U.S. principled isolation

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S3E13 · Night Five

Bill Price's Ambush Death Confirmed, Shattering Janet

Col-Tan emerges as pivotal explanatory anchor when C.J. demystifies 'financial aid' as sanctions targeting its illegal export by Rwandan Army from Congo, refined into cell phones and pagers; smuggling by Rwandans and Ugandans contextualizes the resource war devouring journalists like Price, fusing policy with human tragedy.

Before: Abstract geopolitical flashpoint, referenced conceptually

After: Illuminated as crisis catalyst, heightening stakes

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