The military is escalating its pressure on protesters in Myanmar, but it’s running out of options for resolving the crisis. Bullets may not be enough to quash the opposition this time.
Despite having a woman leader, women are largely excluded from key positions of influence and leadership in Myanmar — a situation that helped the country’s military succeed in its recent coup.
Internet shutdowns and social media bans in Myanmar have helped the military retain control after the Feb. 1 coup. Here’s why ISPs should develop clear policies around forced internet shutdowns.
Anders C. Hardig, American University School of International Service and Tazreena Sajjad, American University School of International Service
The roots of Buddhist nationalism in Myanmar go back to colonial days. Those behind the military coup are seeking to harness it to legitimize the seizure of power.
Myanmar is increasingly connected to the world via social media, which will make it more difficult for the country’s new military leaders to maintain social control.
It is difficult to see how the military will benefit from another coup, since it already enjoyed immense political and economic influence under the previous power-sharing agreement.
Human rights groups have expressed concern after 1.5 million voters in ethnic minority areas were not allowed to vote, ostensibly due to continuing conflict in the regions.
The constitutional change needed to further democratise Myanmar is impossible without the military’s consent, so achieving major political transformation through the election alone seems unlikely.
In a country with 135 ethnic minorities, democratic elections have little meaning if the stateless, persecuted Rohingya people continue to be ethnically cleansed.
The International Court of Justice has ordered Myanmar to make wholesale reforms at the drop of a hat, wielding a stick of shame rather than a ladder of support.