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Defense & Security Intelligence

2026-01-18 20:09 UTC
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Myanmar

40 articles

ICJ hears gruesome violence against Rohingya in Myanmar genocide case
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been hearing evidence and accusations regarding systematic atrocities committed by Myanmar's military forces against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The test...
Asia’s 2025 in extreme weather and natural disasters, from deadly earthquakes to typhoons
Highlights extreme weather and natural disasters affecting Asia in 2025, with special focus on the Myanmar-Thailand earthquake that surpassed a death toll of 1,600 due to its 7.7-magnitude intensity....
Pacts, patronage and fear: How Myanmar’s junta chief holds on to power
The article discusses how Myanmar's military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, maintains his grip on power despite not being publicly featured in election campaigns or ballots. It highlights the strategies empl...
Myanmar’s pro-junta party wins Aung San Suu Kyi’s former seat: ‘surprise no one’
In Myanmar's recent election, the military-backed party has won the parliamentary seat previously held by democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. The vote is seen as an attempt to legitimize junta rule follo...
How uneven borders fuel Myanmar’s vast and resilient scam economy
Southeast Asia, particularly areas near borders within Myanmar, has become a significant hub for the global online scamming industry, operating out of fortified Chinese crime syndicate compounds. Thes...
Can Europe survive its crippling paralysis?
The year 2025 saw intense conflict across various regions of the world, along with devastating natural disasters and trade disruptions due to President Trump's tariff policies. These events highlight ...
Myanmar pro-military party claims big lead in disputed junta-run poll: ‘election not credible’
Myanmar's pro-military party has declared victory in the recent election phases, securing 82 out of 102 lower house seats where counting is complete. This comes amid concerns from democracy advocates ...
Why Myanmar’s junta election cannot hide a collapsing economy
Experts warn that Myanmar's junta-conducted elections cannot obscure the country's deteriorating economic situation. Ongoing civil conflict, coupled with severe inflation and energy shortages, hinders...
Myanmar polls open amid civil war as junta seeks to prolong power
Sunday's elections in Myanmar were organized by the junta following the 2021 coup. The military claims this election will restore democracy, but critics argue it is a means for the junta to solidify i...
‘Lost my future’: Myanmar’s ‘charade’ election dims hopes of diaspora
Myanmar’s recent election held under military rule has disappointed many, including Taya, who saw her life improving before the 2021 coup. After a brief democratic period, the economy is deteriorating...
Why Is Myanmar’s Military Bothering to Hold an Election?
Myanmar's military regime plans to hold elections more than four years after ousting the democratically elected government through a coup in 2021. These upcoming polls are expected to be fraudulent an...
UN says Myanmar junta using ‘brutal violence’ to force people to vote
The United Nations has denounced Myanmar's military junta for employing violence and intimidation to force people to participate in upcoming elections controlled by the military. Volker Turk, UN human...
Myanmar hospital air strikes heighten election turmoil amid global inaction
Analysts suggest Myanmar's military junta conducted air strikes on a hospital in Rakhine State days before general elections to seize territory and intimidate voters. The international community is re...
Managed chaos: China’s game plan for a broken Myanmar
This article discusses China's historical and contemporary influence over Myanmar, arguing that Beijing has a strategic plan to maintain influence in the country through manipulation and support of di...
Neither free nor fair: What Myanmar’s ‘sham’ elections mean for the country and its neighbors
Myanmar's ongoing elections are viewed as a manipulated legitimization by the ruling junta rather than a genuine democratic process....
Myanmar election: military seeks legitimacy amid war, exclusion
Myanmar holds its first general election since the 2021 military coup on December 28, 2025. The State Administration Council, under military control (Tatmadaw), ended the state of emergency on July 31...
Pope Leo addresses suffering of Palestinians and others in his Christmas address
During his Christmas address at St Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo denounced the suffering of Palestinians and called for justice, peace, and stability in occupied territories like Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, S...
Myanmar military-backed party leads in election’s first phase by wide margin
Early results from Myanmar's general election indicate that the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is leading after the first phase. The vote took place since the 2021 coup,...
Malaysia’s Anwar says Asean to assess Myanmar after ‘premature’ polls
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that ASEAN will review developments in Myanmar following the initial phase of elections, avoiding actions that might prematurely legitimize any party. Thi...
Myanmar’s election is derided as fake, but the nation’s suffering is all too real
The recently held election in Myanmar has been widely criticized and dismissed by most observers due to its apparent lack of legitimacy since the military coup of 2021. Despite official claims to the ...
Malaysian forced to scam Hongkongers recalls year-long nightmare in Myanmar
A 26-year-old Malaysian, referred to as Chew, became entangled in a year-long scam operation in Myawaddy, Myanmar after accepting what he thought was legitimate overseas employment. He escaped with th...
Washington Shrinks UN Budget to an Initial $2B
The United States has reduced its funding for the United Nations to an initial allocation of $2 billion. The funds will be distributed across 17 nations identified by the U.S., such as the Democratic ...
Myanmar polls open amid civil war, with junta-backed party tipped to win
Elections have commenced in Myanmar despite ongoing civil war and criticism that they lack freedom, fairness, and credibility. Opposition parties critical of the military junta are notably absent from...
Rohingya crisis deepens as Myanmar election offers no hope for return
A young Rohingya refugee named Rashid arrived in Langkawi, Malaysia after escaping by boat from persecution in Myanmar. At age 14, he has seen many such arrivals over the years due to ongoing violence...
A Rigged Election Is No Reason to Reengage Myanmar
The article argues that engaging with Myanmar's military regime after their manipulation of elections is imprudent and shortsighted. It suggests continued support for genuine democracy and human right...
Myanmar’s junta-backed party wins 90% of seats in first vote phase
Myanmar’s pro-military party has secured 90 percent of the lower house seats in the initial phase of junta-run elections, according to official results released by state media. The military seized pow...
Myanmar’s Election Is Predetermined, but Questions Remain
Elections are set to commence on December 28th in parts of Myanmar, potentially solidifying the military regime's rule. Despite the predetermined outcome, significant uncertainties persist regarding t...
Myanmar’s Military Prepares to Enact Its Election Plan
The Myanmar junta plans to hold elections in three phases beginning December 28, aiming to appear as if they are transitioning towards a civilian government while maintaining military control....
Rohingya refugees hope new leaders can pave a path home
Rohingya refugees residing in squalid camps in Bangladesh have established an elected council aimed at improving living conditions and reigniting efforts for their repatriation to Myanmar....
Why China is Myanmar’s only real hope
Myanmar's military junta has held its first general election since the 2021 coup. Western observers denounce this event as illegitimate while the junta claims it represents a fair democratic process. ...
In grim camps, Rohingya hope U.N. genocide hearing can bring justice
The Rohingya refugees living in Cox's Bazar camps in Bangladesh hold onto hope that a United Nations hearing on the genocide will eventually bring them justice despite their dire living conditions....
Myanmar junta says to release over 6,000 prisoners in annual amnesty
The Myanmar junta has announced the release of over 6,000 prisoners as part of an annual amnesty. Meanwhile, a pro-military party is leading significantly in partial election results, securing more th...
Myanmar's military junta holds controversial election
Myanmar held a three-phased election amidst ongoing civil war, criticized by opponents as an attempt to legitimize military rule and maintain control over the country....
US Immigration Policy and the Normalization of Military Rule in Myanmar
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has asserted that there is 'notable progress' in governance and stability in Myanmar, which some critics argue resembles military propaganda....
Myanmar junta seeks legitimacy in election widely seen as flawed
The military government of Myanmar is holding elections while maintaining control over civil unrest and political opposition, which most observers view as illegitimate due to ongoing violence and rest...
Myanmar Elections: U.S. Policy Reset in Southeast Asia?
The Trump administration has ended Temporary Protected Status for Burmese nationals, citing Myanmar's progress towards governance and stability. This move underscores a recalibration of the United Sta...
Rohingya Inclusion Is the True Test of Myanmar’s Future Democracy
The summary discusses that for Myanmar's United League of Arakan to achieve international recognition and legitimacy, they must include the Rohingya population in their governance framework....
In Myanmar, Civilians Bear Consequences of Starlink Cuts
Civilians in Myanmar are suffering more due to recent cuts to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service. These reductions could further empower the military regime as it consolidates power....
Landmines destroy limbs and lives on Bangladesh-Myanmar border
Villagers living near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border are suffering severe injuries from landmines in the dense forests. These mines are remnants of a conflict not directly involving local communities....
Myanmar junta's shift from battlefield to ballots faces long odds
The Myanmar junta's efforts to establish a stable administration amid ongoing civil war are seen as highly unlikely by analysts and diplomats....