Myanmar earns perennial pariah status in SE Asia (Opinion)
Myanmar is under the control of a brutal military regime, and a wider civil war could yet occur.
Is Myanmar descending into civil war as the country's ruthless military crack down on all opposition and continue to battle ethnic armed groups?
Myanmar’s coup d’état on 1 February seems like a distant memory. Indeed, the world’s media has moved on whilst Myanmar’s ruthless security forces continue to terrorise, abduct and kill unarmed civilians who want nothing other than a democratically governed country.
Myanmar – formerly the Union of Burma – was an impoverished state after gaining independence from Britain in 1948. Ever since the first military coup in 1962, the Tatmadaw has ruled with repressive force, repeatedly and violently putting down all forms of protest.
Sitting comfortably in the West, we cannot comprehend the utter brutality of this regime. A United Nations
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US]()
Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
