Showing 1 - 10 of 31
Myanmar looks east again in search of legitimacy
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 17/04/2026
» Myanmar understands it needs to reach out to the world if it is to end its isolation and roll back the sanctions much of the West has levied against it. To this end, the men in green, now in civilian clothes, are seeking the support of traditional allies -- China and Asean, especially Thailand -- as well as Bangladesh and Pakistan, in an effort to reset foreign policy and regain international acceptance.
Myanmar faces increasing uncertainty
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 01/02/2024
» Today marks the third anniversary of the military coup led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing that ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Over the last three years the Tatmadaw -- as the armed forces are known, has plummeted the country into ever-increasing violence and despair.
Myanmar reaches a political impasse
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 07/02/2022
» Myanmar is engulfed in a civil war that is growing daily leaving diminishing options available to try to resolve it in what is a growing political impasse. For the past year, since the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw, seized power, the country has been overwhelmed by violence and mayhem that is continuing to escalate, bringing civilian administration to a standstill throughout the country, disrupting the economy and leaving the majority of its people increasingly in danger of malnutrition and starvation. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced by the Tatmadaw's military campaigns and face a torrid and uncertain future.
Ethnic armies fight for a federal future
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 07/04/2021
» Myanmar's ethnic armies have effectively declared war on the country's military government, increasing the prospect of civil war. In the face of the army's continued violence against civilian protesters -- the death toll is now more than 600 in the last nine weeks -- many of the country's ethnic leaders felt impelled to take drastic action.
Free fall
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 22/03/2021
» Yangon is burning: Plumes of smoke rose into the skyline in the north of the city every day last week. Large parts of Myanmar's biggest city and main commercial centre resembled a battle zone after the military junta imposed martial law in several neighbourhoods.
Anti-coup crackdown takes fatal turn
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 01/03/2021
» Myanmar's security forces have unleashed a concerted crackdown on the country's peaceful protesters leaving 23 dead and thousands injured throughout the country in the last two days. In planned pre-emptive strikes, the police moved ruthlessly to disperse and arrest protestors preparing to join yesterday general strike. "They used teargas, stun grenades and fired live ammunition indiscriminately into the crowds," said Soe Soe, a young university student at a protest site told the Bangkok Post.
Peoples' power versus military might
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 25/02/2021
» Millions and millions of protesters swarmed onto the streets throughout Myanmar earlier this week in an overwhelming rejection of the military's seizure of power. Despite dire threats and warnings from the country's coup leader, the army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, marchers thronged the thoroughfares even in small towns to demonstrate their deep support for democracy and their rejection of the coup.
Crisis deepens, violence fears grow
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 11/02/2021
» Myanmar's political crisis is deepening rapidly, raising fears of an imminent violent confrontation between the military and pro-democracy protesters. Every day hundreds and thousands continue to demonstrate their refusal to accept the military coup. In the past few days, the military have begun a concerted crackdown: using water cannons, riot police charges and shooting above the crowd's heads to scare them.
China seeks to shore up its influence in Myanmar
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 09/01/2021
» China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to arrive in Myanmar on Monday on a critical two-day visit. It is intended to further strengthen Chinese influence in the country, in light of the changing international dynamics in the region, amid fears that China's sway is beginning to wane.
China's grand vision
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 10/02/2020
» Chinese President Xi Jinping's historic state visit to Myanmar last month was aimed at drawing the country ever closer and persuading the world of the importance of Beijing's new international approach. It was an exercise in strategic diplomacy, rolling out China's grand vision for the region and encouraging the creation of a loyal and supportive neighbourhood.