Section Archive

Analyst Joe Kumbun speculates that through China’s influence on the Tatmadaw, the BRI is helping the State Counselor achieve her political goals.

In this pre-election year, defenders of democracy must remain vigilant against any development that could disrupt preparations for the 2020 vote.

In the face of economic and geopolitical influences, Mandalay would do better to work on preservation of its reputation as a cultural capital and promote its heritage and history.

Given Beijing’s increasing role in Myanmar’s development, the Tatmadaw’s newfound openness to talks is not such a surprise.

However, some observers are puzzled by the military’s willingness to deal with TNLA, AA and MNDAA

As communities around the world hold events to mark Human Rights Day, The Irrawaddy revisits an article about the ill-fated student uprising of 1991 known as 10-D.

History suggests U Pe Myint’s assurances that state media will transparently report on the government’s activities are not to be believed.

The reclusive former strongman continues to see a political role for himself and the military, which still takes cues from him.

Ethnic affairs reporter Lawi Weng writes that the RCSS have their sights set on moving north for improved border trade, a stronger armed force and, preferably, no TLNA rivalry.

‘Looking East’ should not mean drifting exclusively into China’s orbit; relations with India must be cultivated, and the West cannot be ignored entirely.

The U.S. vice president’s lecture on democracy lacked credibility, but the State Counselor may have missed an opportunity to enlist more help from Washington.

Already wielding considerable political power under the Constitution, and with the NLD making itself more unpopular by the day, why would it?

Unable to decipher our leaders’ carefully chosen words, many would-be analysts of Myanmar badly misread the political situation here. 

Myanmar’s journalists do not have the protection of the law or the government, but in Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s own words, they have the protection of the truth

There is little evidence that the government was involved, but the damage to the democratic transition has been done.