MYANMAR: What ASEAN’s exclusion of the junta means
In an uncharacteristic rebuke, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this week barred coup and junta leader Gen Min Aung Hlaing — chair of the junta’s State Administration Council (SAC) and the “interim prime minister” — from attending its summit from 26-28 October… Become a member to read the rest of this article […]
MYANMAR: Opposition calls for an uprising, but its capabilities remain limited
Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) this week launched an armed resistance to the junta in Yangon, calling on citizens to “revolt against the rule of the military terrorists.” The NUG also outlined its plans to raise funds to operate an alternative government, which … Become a member to read the rest of this […]
MYANMAR: Further down the rabbit hole
The military-appointed electoral commission yesterday formally nullified the outcome of the 8 November 2020 election that was won overwhelmingly by Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). Two weeks ago, the commission said it had found evidence of wides… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MYANMAR: Could the generals’ pariah status lead to a humanitarian crisis?
By the numbers alone, Myanmar is not among the worst hit by the pandemic in Southeast Asia; averaging daily numbers of 70 new cases per million and 1.1 deaths per million, it is faring better than Malaysia and Indonesia but worse than Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. Howeve… Become a member to read the […]
MYANMAR: Junta pins its strategy on attrition
The level of violence on the streets has dropped in recent weeks compared to February and march. Media and internet are severely curtailed, which could be contributing to the decline in reported fatalities, but there are other more significant drivers for this ebb. For one, prote… Become a member to read the rest of […]
MYANMAR: Still at square one, even after ASEAN summit
A statement released yesterday, 27 April, by the State Administrative Council (SAC), as the junta calls itself, hedged its cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) following a weekend summit that sought to de-escalate the conflict. It said that it would… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MYANMAR: Risks increase as junta seems set on breaking protest movement
Security forces have intensified their use of force, possibly to break the back of the protest movement. However, there are no signs the standoff will end soon, and a successful crackdown by the junta will result in more isolation. The degradation in the country’s Covid… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
MYANMAR: Political crossroads ahead, with the risk of more violence
The demonstrations are frustrating the junta’s attempts to gain legitimacy. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, which limits the possibility of a political compromise anytime soon. In several scenarios, the economic fallout would be severe. The level… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MYANMAR: Government crackdown could still intensify
In its first press conference since taking power two weeks ago, the military today, 16 February, promised to hold elections and to hand over power to the winning party. However, the assurance will do little to ease political tensions. The military’s statements on the path back to… Become a member to read the rest […]
MYANMAR: A decade comes undone
The possibility of anti-coup protests and a harsh security reaction are the immediate near-term risks. The US government has threatened sanctions but is likely to find that formulating an effective response and coordinating with other governments to generate immediate pres… Become a member to read the rest of this article