Showing 1 - 10 of 31
Peace, security in Asia is possible if the will is there
Oped, Surakiart Sathirathai, Published on 25/06/2020
» As the world approaches the post–pandemic era, I have some observations with regard to Asia–Pacific security.
'Worst is over' for Pheu Thai
News, Published on 01/12/2018
» The Pheu Thai Party has been battered by a series of political misfortunes of late and it is facing a hard time to get back to its former glory.
Suu Kyi seeks support over Rakhine crisis
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 12/11/2018
» Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the Asean meetings in Singapore this week, in which she will seek support from her Asian allies in dealing with the country's Rakhine crisis. She especially wants the members of the regional bloc to back her government's efforts to resettle the returning Muslim refugees -- who have fled the violence in the country's strife-torn Western region -- and to be involved in the country's future reconciliation efforts.
Myanmar launches Rakhine 'fact finding' mission
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 02/08/2018
» Myanmar has established a commission of inquiry to probe the allegations of human rights abuses in the conflict-torn Rakhine state. The announcement was made earlier this week, as it faces growing international calls for investigate accusations of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya Muslims.
Myanmar in disarray
Editorial, Published on 24/07/2018
» The friends of Aung San Suu Kyi continue to desert her and to criticise her government's policies. The 10-man international advisory board she appointed to try to smooth out the Rohingya crisis has dropped to eight. The two who quit have both left in bitter disappointment over Myanmar policy. They believe they were misled by Ms Suu Kyi and her government. In truth, the Rohingya crisis is growing instead of diminishing, as Myanmar's government and army continue to mismanage and harm the country.
UN envoy averts possible military coup in Myanmar
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 23/06/2018
» A UN envoy has inadvertently acted as a peacemaker between Myanmar's top civilian leader, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and the army commander, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Tension between the two leaders has been simmering since their confrontation during a top-level security meeting two weeks ago over the government's handling of Rakhine, and the UN's role in the return of thousands of Muslim refugees who have fled to Bangladesh for safety.
Myanmar struggles with its Rakhine conundrum
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 14/06/2018
» In the face of relentless international criticism, Myanmar is struggling to develop a new strategy to cope with the problems of Rakhine, and the need for a reconciliation process. This week the government has been discussing their new approach with the UN secretary-general's newly appointed special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener -- a Swiss career diplomat, who also recently served as ambassador to Thailand.
Security Council visit raises spectre of ICC
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 05/05/2018
» The United Nations Security Council's visit to Myanmar earlier this week has raised the spectre of increased international involvement in its refugee crisis, including referring it to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Although the delegation's main priority was seeing firsthand the government's efforts to prepare for the return of the Muslim -- or Rohingya -- refugees from Bangladesh, inevitably it also raised the need to investigate the causes of the mass exodus.
Making sense of Asean's view on Rakhine
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/04/2018
» With Singapore as the chair, Asean's every word and move must be meticulously crafted and choreographed. There can't be any loose ends. There is no exception when it comes to the delicate situation in Myanmar's Rakhine State where violent clashes erupted back in October 2016 have forced nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to escape to Bangladesh.
Surakiart's Rakhine mission no easy task
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 17/02/2018
» After a dramatically shaky start, Surakiart Sathirathai's international advisory group is getting down to tackle the Herculean task of trying to find practical solutions to Myanmar's tragic inter-communal violence. As the Myanmar government comes under increased criticism and international scrutiny, Mr Surakiart believes he and his team must help Myanmar look forward and produce a comprehensive and sustainable plan to restore peace, harmony and development to the country.