I am writing this from memory so accept responsibility for errors.
I do not intend to excoriate or praise him. That's clearly in the record from both sides of the imperialist enterprise. I cannot let it pass though without commenting that his cover up of Mai Mai ranks him personally at the bottom of humanity. He did it with no excuses except ambition.
And his ambition was fulfilled at least as far as we can see.
Powell carried water for the empire. But he wasn't just any soldier from say Carolina. he was black and such carried a message as well. That the army and indeed America is a new and fairer place and you can proudly stand with us. That more than a few black Americans responded to that is completely understandable.
So from Mai Lai to the United Nations Powell continued to establish new lows in ethics and morality. And God knows how many more people died from his efforts. Millions? He was being played like a fiddle by George W Bush and his cronies.
Aside from speeches I suppose he's been left to enjoy his retirement and a steady stream or drip of honoraria.
Then how along came the pandemic.
A little relevant history: In the 2009 Swine Flu epidemic mass vaccinations were planned. A German magazine got a hold of the story that Angela Merkel, top members of the military plus elite government members were given placebo injections. this was a huge embarrassment but soon got lost in the next news cycle which if I remember was the billions that big Pharma was taking in.
Back to Gen Powell. He apparently dutifully took his two shots--and died.
And isn't that just the ultimate FU from the Bush gang? George W probably giggled as he handed Michelle another little candy.