ARTICLES

14 Jun 2021

The Myanmar Challenge to ASEAN

Choi Shing Kwok

Recent developments have shown how fragile and tricky ASEAN’s quest to help Myanmar will be.

4 Jun 2021

Brunei’s Visit to Myanmar: No Time to Run Down the Clock

Evan A. Laksmana

A team from Brunei is reportedly visiting Myanmar this weekend. The aims of the visit are yet unclear. Still, Brunei, as ASEAN Chair, should first announce the identity of the grouping’s Special Envoy to the country and empower him or her with the necessary resources to carry out the task at hand.

ASEAN Brunei Myanmar

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

22 Apr 2021

In Dominating the Provinces, Bangkok Leaves Nothing to Chance

Michael J. Montesano

Whether as a source of royal blessings or through the power of its rent-seekers, Bangkok’s hold over provincial Thailand endures.

Myanmar Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand

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