ARTICLES

14 Jun 2021

The United States and the Myanmar Crisis: Broad Interests, Constricted Responses

Robert Sutter

The United States has leaned heavily on traditional policy instruments, primarily sanctions, to manage the political crisis in Myanmar. Currently, it remains unclear if Washington will go beyond the limited scope of past practice.

28 May 2021

Crisis upon Crisis: Fighting COVID-19 Becomes a Political Struggle after Myanmar’s Military Coup

Courtney T. Wittekind

In the aftermath of Myanmar’s coup, a nationwide strike by civil servants and lack of trust in the military regime that staged the February 1 takeover has reversed the country’s hard-won progress in the fight against COVID-19. The potential spread of the virus amongst protestors could accelerate the system-wide collapse of the already fragile health sector.

COVID-19 Myanmar Myanmar Politics

24 May 2021

Military Rule in Myanmar: Parsing the Propaganda

Courtney T. Wittekind

Critics of the Myanmar military should not be too quick in dismissing its propaganda. A closer examination reveals the junta’s priorities and strategy.

Myanmar Myanmar Politics

14 May 2021

ASEAN’s Mission to Myanmar: An Approach to Ends with Possibilities of Success

Hoang Thi Ha

All eyes will be on the incoming mission of the ASEAN Chair’s special envoy in Myanmar to facilitate talks between the military junta and civilian government it toppled earlier this year. But the writing is already on the wall – the envoy has a mountain to climb.

ASEAN ASEAN Neutrality Myanmar Myanmar Politics

27 Apr 2021

ASEAN Emergency Summit: In the Hot Seat

Sharon Seah

One can assess ASEAN’s recent emergency meeting in Jakarta in two ways. One scenario is cautiously optimistic; the other would be tantamount to pure fatalism.

ASEAN ASEAN Neutrality ASEAN-China Relations Myanmar Myanmar Politics U.S. Foreign Policy

16 Apr 2021

Learning from “Social Punishment:” Neutrality in Myanmar is No Longer Tenable

Courtney T. Wittekind

Business leaders, foreign and local, have a big choice to make as Myanmar’s crisis deepens.

Myanmar Myanmar Economy Myanmar Politics

8 Apr 2021

Singapore Businesses In Myanmar: Navigating the Choppy Waters of Political Turmoil

Su-Ann Oh

The coup in Myanmar has compounded problems for Singapore firms operating there. But they appear to be battening down the hatches to ride out the political storm.

Myanmar Myanmar Economy Myanmar Politics Myanmar-Singapore

8 Apr 2021

Free Falling, Myanmar’s Post-coup Economy

Romain Caillaud

Myanmar’s military presented the 1 February coup as good for business, but the opposite is true.

Myanmar Myanmar Economy Myanmar Politics

6 Apr 2021

Myanmar’s Armed Groups and the Military Coup: Involvement or Not?

Andrew Ong

Despite calls for them to get involved in a wider resistance against the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s ethnic armed groups are not casting their lots in yet. They have ample reasons for not doing so.

Myanmar Myanmar Politics

12 Mar 2021

Back to the Future? Possible Scenarios for Myanmar

Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung

In Myanmar, neither the military nor the protest movement can be certain of the ultimate outcome following the former’s overthrow of the country’s elected government on 1 February. Myanmar appears stuck in a scenario where the military and the protest movement are each attempting to steer the situation towards their optimal outcomes. A tipping point may occur in favour of either side, depending on the resources or support that it obtains, either from domestic or international actors.

Aung San Suu Kyi Myanmar Myanmar Politics NLD