Myanmar

So-called media abundance still leaves blind spots with our neighbours
So-called media abundance still leaves blind spots with our neighbours
A rare image on social media of Indonesian paratroopers dropping into the troubled West Papua province this month was a stark reminder that, even in the age of 24/7 news,…
With new coastguard, Myanmar looks to improve maritime security
With new coastguard, Myanmar looks to improve maritime security
In March this year, Myanmar’s Defence Ministry submitted a proposal to parliament to establish a national coastguard. Given strong support for the idea from the main political…
In Myanmar, a unity still out of reach
In Myanmar, a unity still out of reach
In January 2018, the Arakan Army, the newest ethnic-based militia in Myanmar, released a video on YouTube and elsewhere of its cadres kitted out in camouflage, armed with modern…
The Rohingyas: the security dimension of a deep humanitarian crisis
The Rohingyas: the security dimension of a deep humanitarian crisis
Bangladesh is now facing a serous dilemma over the future of 1.2 million Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar. Its efforts to contain and isolate them from the mainstream…
Hope, despair and the new normal in Myanmar
Hope, despair and the new normal in Myanmar
Human rights advocates had a rare chance to celebrate on Tuesday as two local Reuters journalists in Myanmar were released from prison. Their situation is viewed by the…
Myanmar: pariah status no bar to defence modernisation
Myanmar: pariah status no bar to defence modernisation
It has been more than two years since military “clearance operations” against Myanmar’s Rohingyas began in October 2016. Since then, the international community has relied on…
The chance for Australia to urge ASEAN to act on the Rohingya crisis
The chance for Australia to urge ASEAN to act on the Rohingya crisis
This week, diplomats from Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will gather in Malaysia for the 31st ASEAN-Australian Forum. Even with the Australian government…
Myanmar’s intelligence apparatus under Aung San Suu Kyi
Myanmar’s intelligence apparatus under Aung San Suu Kyi
When Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) took office in 2016, a wave of euphoria swept over Myanmar, shared by many people in other parts of the world. …
The death penalty paradox in Buddhist Myanmar
The death penalty paradox in Buddhist Myanmar
On my recent visit to Myanmar, I attended the commemoration ceremony of U Ko Ni, the former lawyer and legal advisor to the National League for Democracy. He was among the most…
Violence in Myanmar: look elsewhere than Security Council
Violence in Myanmar: look elsewhere than Security Council
Last week the UN Security Council was briefed yet again on the situation in Myanmar. This time the message was presented by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy…