ARTICLES

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.

15 Feb 2021

How Successful Will the Protests in Myanmar Be?

Su-Ann Oh

The ongoing anti-coup protests are qualitatively different and pose a bigger challenge to Myanmar’s military rulers than earlier protest movements.

COVID-19 Myanmar Myanmar Elections Myanmar Politics Social Media Technology

3 Feb 2021

The Coup in Myanmar: ASEAN Is Not Without Options

Sharon Seah

If ASEAN is serious about upholding the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, there are ways to help guide Myanmar back toward the path of democratisation.

ASEAN ASEAN Unity Myanmar Myanmar Elections Myanmar Politics

2 Feb 2021

Myanmar’s State of Emergency: Damn the Torpedoes

Moe Thuzar

The Tatmadaw’s seizure of power in Myanmar will wind back Myanmar’s nascent democracy several decades. The costs to the country are incalculable.

Aung San Suu Kyi COVID-19 Myanmar Myanmar Elections Myanmar Politics

23 Dec 2020

Covid-19 Reaches Myanmar’s Armed Periphery: A Silver Lining?

Andrew Ong

Covid-19 has reached Myanmar’s autonomous regions. But the Wa Region’s militarised nature and access to Chinese assistance might prove valuable in the fight against the pandemic.

COVID-19 Myanmar Myanmar Politics

3 Aug 2020

Myanmar’s 2020 Elections: The State of Play

Moe Thuzar

With the 2020 elections looming, the National League for Democracy looks set to bag an electoral majority again. This may not deter other parties from poking holes in the NLD’s performance legitimacy

Myanmar Myanmar Elections Myanmar Politics

4 May 2020

Myanmar’s Garment Industry: Hanging by a Thread

Su-Ann Oh

Myanmar’s garment sector has been hard hit by the fall in demand, largely from Europe. This is due partly to the fact that the country is now interwoven into the fabric of globalisation.

Myanmar Myanmar Politics

26 Mar 2020

The Ruling Party in Myanmar Turns Populist

Nyi Nyi Kyaw

The ruling National League for Democracy’s bid to change the constitution has floundered. But the failure has highlighted the growing schism between the increasingly populist NLD and the corrupt and power-hungry military elite

Myanmar Myanmar Politics

25 Jun 2019

ASEAN, Myanmar, and the Rohingya Issue

Moe Thuzar

Marred by criticisms of being too lenient or too slow, ASEAN's ability to credibly engage Myanmar on the Rohingya issue was discussed at length during the 34th ASEAN Summit. Unfortunately, this decades-long problem is one that needs time and patience to resolve in a meaningful and lasting manner.

ASEAN Myanmar Politics Rohingya