Myanmar 20241126: Verbose, Meditative, Awakening
Mekong Memo Myanmar Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.
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Here is this week’s edition of the Mekong Memo for Myanmar.
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Headlines:
Debates on U.S. Engagement
Foreign Fighters Join the War
Military Shapes SEA Leadership Landscape
Military Control Tightens as Elections Promised
Beijing Steps Up Security Involvement
Fuel Crisis Hits Northern Regions
Labor Rights Under Pressure
Health Concerns Mount for Detained Leaders
Journalist Released After Two-Year Ordeal
Myanmar Property Buyers Shift to Thailand
Telecom Innovations For Education
Gem Trade Continues Despite Crisis
Demand for U.S. Sanctions on Junta-linked Bank
Frontier Myanmar Declares Independence
Beauty Pageant Sparks National Debate
Debates on U.S. Engagement
Different views are being seen over U.S. policy toward Myanmar during its prolonged civil war. One analysis suggests a potential alliance with the military junta to counter China’s influence, citing historical cooperation during the Cold War. Critics rebut this, pointing out the junta’s brutal suppression of dissent and the grassroots, locally-driven nature of resistance led by the National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic armed groups. Advocates are calling for U.S. support for democratic forces to ensure stability, align with moral imperatives, and counterbalance Chinese strategic ambitions.
Read more: Eurasia Review (Pro-alliance Analysis), Eurasia Review (Rebuttal)
Foreign Fighters Join the War
The civil war, Myanmar’s worst violence in decades, is now reportedly drawing foreign fighters like Azad, a U.S. national who frames the conflict as a global struggle against fascism. Fighting with Chin State rebels, Azad is part of the Anti-Fascist Internationalist Front, a foreign volunteer unit that says that it wants to unify resources.
Read more: The Telegraph (Audio)
Military Shapes SEA Leadership Landscape
Nearly half of Southeast Asian nations are governed by military leaders or regimes, part of a global rise in militarized governance. From Vietnam's new president, Luong Cuong, to Indonesia’s “militarized cabinet” under Prabowo Subianto, military influence intertwines with politics and economic power. Factors driving this trend include rising security concerns, China’s assertiveness, and military-run business empires. Analysts warn of risks to democracy and economic growth, as militaries align with oligarchs and state leaders, potentially undermining governance and stifling reforms.
Read more: DW
Military Control Tightens as Elections Promised
The junta chief has pledged to complete a national census by year-end as a precursor to elections, while keeping strict control over rebel-held territories. The military government has banned fuel supplies to areas controlled by resistance forces and increased the temp of airstrikes, resulting in 51 civilian casualties following a recent diplomatic visit to China.
Read more: Radio Free Asia (Election Plans), The Irrawaddy (Fuel Ban), BNI Online (Airstrikes)
Beijing Steps Up Security Involvement
China has taken a more assertive stance in Myanmar's security situation, putting new measures in place to address its concerns. The relationship dynamics are shifting as Beijing signals its growing impatience with the current state of affairs. Separately, a rebel group has reportedly transferred 760 Chinese fraud suspects to authorities, seemingly in a sign of increased cooperation on cross-border crime.
Read more: The Irrawaddy (Security Strategy), Radio Free Asia (Scam Crackdown)
Fuel Crisis Hits Northern Regions
A fuel shortage has triggered panic buying and price spikes in Kalay Township. Residents are facing difficulties as fuel stations have begun rationing measures and prices have spiked. The shortage is affecting daily transportation and business operations across the region.
Read more: BNI Online
Labor Rights Under Pressure
Workers face increasingly challenging conditions as factory owners are (ab)using international brands' commitment to stay in the market. A Chinese factory has reportedly requested military intervention to break a strike, while the International Labour Organization has doubled down on its calls for action against the government.
Read more: Equal Times (Working Conditions), The Irrawaddy (Strike Breaking), Ecotextile (ILO Action)
Health Concerns Mount for Detained Leaders
Opposition leaders in detention are facing deteriorating health conditions, raising international concern. Aung San Suu Kyi’s health has been the topic of much discussion lately, fueled by the recent deaths of two of her recently released NLA colleagues. A prominent Saffron Revolution monk's wellbeing has also become a particular focus of worry as reports of his condition emerge from detention.
Read more: Nikkei Asia (Opposition Health), The Irrawaddy (Detained Monk)
Journalist Released After Two-Year Ordeal
Photojournalist Kyaw Swa Tun has been freed after enduring two years of lockup and torture. Kyaw was accused of “insulting the state” and was sentenced to hard labor last January. His release is a rare piece of positive news as restrictions on media freedom remain pervasive.
Read more: Voice of America
Myanmar Property Buyers Shift to Thailand
Myanmar nationals have tripled their purchases of Thai condominiums in 2024 compared to the previous year. More than 1,000 units worth $158 million were sold in nine months, making Myanmar buyers the second-largest foreign property investors in Thailand. Wealthy individuals are looking for financial stability and refuge, driven by a collapsing kyat and junta restrictions on foreign exchange.
Read more: Straits Times
Telecom Innovations For Education
Despite challenges like inconsistent power and high costs, telecom solutions are being touted as the path to a more equitable education system in Myanmar. Ericsson’s “Connect to Learn” program is providing digital tools, scholarships, and ICT training for students and teachers. Mobile platforms, broadband expansion, and emerging technologies including VR are improving access to quality learning. Public-private partnerships and policy frameworks are supporting digital literacy and infrastructure development.
Read more: Telecom Review Asia
Gem Trade Continues Despite Crisis
The military government has once again organized a Mid-Year “Gem Emporium” to generate foreign exchange, maintaining one of its traditional revenue sources during a time of heavy-handed international sanctions and other economic challenges.
Read more: Mizzima
Demand for U.S. Sanctions on Junta-linked Bank
Myanmar civil society groups have called on the United States to impose sanctions on the state-owned Myanma Economic Bank, a financial conduit for the military junta. A letter to the State and Treasury departments exposes the bank’s role in bypassing existing sanctions to fund arms purchases and manage natural gas revenues. The argument is that this step could disrupt the junta’s international support as its grip weakens. Bipartisan support for additional measures exists, even though the junta denies allegations of atrocities and claims sanctions only delay its stated plans for democratization.
Read more: Reuters
Frontier Myanmar Declares Independence
Frontier Myanmar has issued a statement affirming its editorial independence, in the wake of a visit by Thein Swe, a former senior member of Myanmar’s military intelligence, to Beijing in late October. Thein Swe is the father of Frontier parent company CEO Sonny Swe.
Read more: Frontier Myanmar
Beauty Pageant Sparks National Debate
The Miss Grand International incident has revealed deep-seated aspects of Myanmar's political psychology, generating enthusiastic discussion about national identity and representation during times of crisis.
Read more: Frontier Myanmar
That’s it for this week… THANK YOU.
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