Military Coup in Myanmar

[Kowani]

Karen National Union claims that more than 12,000 people have been displaced by the Tatmadaw's airstrikes

[Sungoldy-China]

Aung San Suu Kyi needs to rebuild the Burmese country. Because Myanmar is a country established by the army, many of Myanmar’s current lands are merged by force, and the continuous civil war also guarantees the unity and strength of the army.
If Aung San Suu Kyi cannot eliminate these civil war factors, then the army's rule and power will not be eliminated.

[ImperialRussia]

Let’s hope Myanmar military gets support from Russia, China, or Russia to secure the nation from us influence

[Kubra]

Let’s hope Myanmar military gets support from Russia, China, or Russia to secure the nation from us influence

what's wrong with us influence

[The New California Republic]

Let’s hope Myanmar military gets support from Russia, China, or Russia to secure the nation from us influence

what's wrong with us influence

It's not my influence, that's what's wrong with it.

[Kilobugya]

Let’s hope Myanmar military gets support from Russia, China, or Russia to secure the nation from us influence

what's wrong with us influence

Ask the Latinos about Plan Condor, or the more recent coups and coup attemps. Or the Afghanistan about US support to the talibans. Or the Iranian about US support to the Shah. Or the victims of US blockades. Or ...

In general US influence is done for US geopolitical or economical interests, regardless of the consequences on local populations. But it's not like Russia or China are better, trading one for the other is not a win.

Due to the current atrocities committed by the Myanmar military, I can only support "influence" to oppose them, even if it comes from USA, as long as its done in a way that doesn't make it even worse for the population (such as a blunt economical blockade would do).

[The New California Republic]

what's wrong with us influence

Ask the Latinos about Plan Condor, or the more recent coups and coup attemps. Or the Afghanistan about US support to the talibans. Or the Iranian about US support to the Shah. Or the victims of US blockades. Or ...

In general US influence is done for US geopolitical or economical interests, regardless of the consequences on local populations. But it's not like Russia or China are better, trading one for the other is not a win.

Due to the current atrocities committed by the Myanmar military, I can only support "influence" to oppose them, even if it comes from USA, as long as its done in a way that doesn't make it even worse for the population (such as a blunt economical blockade would do).

I'm thinking it was actually at dig at the lack of capitalization of US influence, rather than making an actual point.

[Kilobugya]

I'm thinking it was actually at dig at the lack of capitalization of US influence, rather than making an actual point.

Oops, sorry, seems my sarcasm detector didn't boot properly this morning !

[Kubra]

what's wrong with us influence

Ask the Latinos about Plan Condor, or the more recent coups and coup attemps. Or the Afghanistan about US support to the talibans. Or the Iranian about US support to the Shah. Or the victims of US blockades. Or ...

In general US influence is done for US geopolitical or economical interests, regardless of the consequences on local populations. But it's not like Russia or China are better, trading one for the other is not a win.

Due to the current atrocities committed by the Myanmar military, I can only support "influence" to oppose them, even if it comes from USA, as long as its done in a way that doesn't make it even worse for the population (such as a blunt economical blockade would do).

Well sure in general but in context, you feel?

[Picairn]

Let’s hope Myanmar military gets support from Russia, China, or Russia to secure the nation from us influence

Trading one empire for the next, totally not gonna backfire at all.

[The New California Republic]

One of Myanmar's most popular celebrities has been arrested by the military as part of a growing crackdown on artists and actors.

Paing Takhon, a model and actor with millions of fans in Myanmar and Thailand, had been active in both online protests and in-person rallies.

Takhon's Instagram - with more than a million followers - has been taken down along with his Facebook account.

According to a Facebook post by Takhon's sister Thi Thi Lwin, around 50 soldiers with eight military trucks came to arrest him at around 05:00 local time (22:30 GMT Wednesday) on Thursday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-56672054

[Sungoldy-China]

Let’s hope Myanmar military gets support from Russia, China, or Russia to secure the nation from us influence

No one can change the reality of Myanmar, this is determined by the history of Myanmar；
Aung San Suu Kyi supports the army's use of force to maintain the unity of the country, but also wants weaker army to rule, this just asking for conflicts.

[Kowani]

Escalation

The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) has called upon other parties, armed resistance groups, and Myanmar’s parallel government to work together to form a federal army.

Sai Leik, a spokesperson for the party, which is the largest in Shan State, said the time was also ripe to publish a federal constitution because public appetite for such a system was at an “all time high” in the wake of the military’s February 1 coup.

The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) should work together with a broad coalition representing Myanmar’s many ethnic groups to achieve federalism, he added.

“To put it bluntly, when a lot of people in Myanmar’s mainland come to understand that federalism is not separatism and it can lead to greater unity, we should push the idea harder,” he told Myanmar Now. “Pushing it harder means that we should focus on the emergence of a federal constitution.”

He noted that the CRPH, mostly made up of NLD MPs who were unable to take their seats, had announced the formation of an interim government before publishing a new constitution. It would be better if the new constitution could be drafted first, he said.

"At this time, the public spirit is at an all-time high. While the word ‘federal’ is widely accepted, we should start making efforts to have a federal army and a federal union. We should act bravely and decisively,” he added.

Colonel Khun Okkar, leader of the Pa-O National Liberation Army, said that insurgent groups should form a powerful political and military coalition to negotiate with the CRPH.

“We ethnic people have groups that communicate with the CRPH individually, and it would be more convenient if we could communicate as an ethnic coalition,” he said.

Late last month the CRPH formally announced the abolition of the military’s 2008 constitution and said that it would form an interim government.

[Shanghai industrial complex]

Let’s hope Myanmar military gets support from Russia, China, or Russia to secure the nation from us influence

what's wrong with us influence

Perhaps something unpleasant has happened in all the areas affected by the US in recent decades.Maybe from then on, it will not be related to peace, stability, security,flourishing and so on.

[Resilient Acceleration]

Myanmar economy collapses, double-digit contraction projected. A decade of painstaking efforts during the gradual democratization era, which saw Myanmar's poverty rate decreases from 42.2% in 2010 to 24.8% in 2017 due the growth of industries (particularly tourism), is set to be erased.

[Borderlands of Rojava]

Karen National Union claims that more than 12,000 people have been displaced by the Tatmadaw's airstrikes

It's definitely war in Myanmar now.

[Borderlands of Rojava]

Let’s hope Myanmar military gets support from Russia, China, or Russia to secure the nation from us influence

what's wrong with us influence

Both of you are wrong. Imperial is wrong for supporting Russia aiding a regime that commits atrocities against their own. You're incorrect in assuming there's nothing wrong wrong US influence when the US often actively puts lives in danger and ruins countries in the name of its interests.

[Alcala-Cordel]

Let’s hope Myanmar military gets support from Russia, China, or Russia to secure the nation from us influence

what's wrong with us influence

We use it to manipulate and force other countries to do our bidding, than attack them if they don't.

[Kowani]

Myanmar's last independent print newspaper. The Standard Time (San Taw Chain), has closed

[Resilient Acceleration]

Myanmar Military reaps millions in jade and gem sales, all controlled by corporations linked to the military, as total economic collapse and skyrocketing poverty rates are imminent.

Fitch Solutions, an affiliate of global rating agency Fitch Ratings, in a note on April 1 revised its forecast for the financial year through September to a 20% contraction, from an earlier forecast of 2% growth. It predicted drastic declines in almost every key measure, from exports and investment to general consumption, tax revenues and government spending on COVID-19 relief.

...While economic collapse would deny the junta some critical revenues, it can still draw on the country's natural resources. Mineral-rich Myanmar holds deposits of jade and rubies, as well as gold, copper, tin, marble and rare earth metals, in addition to offshore gas fields. An investigation by corruption watchdog Global Witness estimated the value of sales by Myanmar's jade industry at up to $31 billion in 2014, or nearly half the country's GDP, with most of the money going to the military and other elites that control the trade.

In a more conservative estimate, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the global standard for transparency in the oil, gas and mining industries, estimated that more than 820 million euros ($975 million) of gems were sold at the country's emporiums in the 2017-18 financial year. Another EITI report in 2016 estimated that 60-80% of Myanmar's gems are not declared and avoid taxation.

In 2016, major export markets for Myanmar's minerals were China, Indonesia, Thailand and India.

Under the ousted National League for Democracy government, and the previous government of President Thein Sein, laws were passed to try to regulate Myanmar's precious stones, jade and logging industries. But military companies have maintained strong business interests in these fields and are likely to revive and expand much of this trade.

TL; DR, it is becoming apparent that the military's source of income is more resilient than that of the general population. The people of Myanmar can hold prolonged strikes and sabotage the country to become ungovernable. But it'll be harder to disrupt the military's assets in oil, gas, and natural resource extraction based on slave labor, child slavery, horrific and non-existent safety conditions leading to large amount of deaths, drug addiction, and massive environmental destruction. All of this while the people's attempt to sabotage the economy as a means of resistance sadly will affect themselves through skyrocketing destitution and food shortage.

[Guomindang]

Myanmar Military reaps millions in jade and gem sales, all controlled by corporations linked to the military, as total economic collapse and skyrocketing poverty rates are imminent.

Fitch Solutions, an affiliate of global rating agency Fitch Ratings, in a note on April 1 revised its forecast for the financial year through September to a 20% contraction, from an earlier forecast of 2% growth. It predicted drastic declines in almost every key measure, from exports and investment to general consumption, tax revenues and government spending on COVID-19 relief.

...While economic collapse would deny the junta some critical revenues, it can still draw on the country's natural resources. Mineral-rich Myanmar holds deposits of jade and rubies, as well as gold, copper, tin, marble and rare earth metals, in addition to offshore gas fields. An investigation by corruption watchdog Global Witness estimated the value of sales by Myanmar's jade industry at up to $31 billion in 2014, or nearly half the country's GDP, with most of the money going to the military and other elites that control the trade.

In a more conservative estimate, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the global standard for transparency in the oil, gas and mining industries, estimated that more than 820 million euros ($975 million) of gems were sold at the country's emporiums in the 2017-18 financial year. Another EITI report in 2016 estimated that 60-80% of Myanmar's gems are not declared and avoid taxation.

In 2016, major export markets for Myanmar's minerals were China, Indonesia, Thailand and India.

Under the ousted National League for Democracy government, and the previous government of President Thein Sein, laws were passed to try to regulate Myanmar's precious stones, jade and logging industries. But military companies have maintained strong business interests in these fields and are likely to revive and expand much of this trade.

TL; DR, it is becoming apparent that the military's source of income is more resilient than that of the general population. The people of Myanmar can hold prolonged strikes and sabotage the country to become ungovernable. But it'll be harder to disrupt the military's assets in oil, gas, and natural resource extraction based on slave labor, child slavery, horrific and non-existent safety conditions leading to large amount of deaths, drug addiction, and massive environmental destruction. All of this while the people's attempt to sabotage the economy as a means of resistance sadly will affect themselves through skyrocketing destitution and food shortage.

This is concerning.

[Sungoldy-China]

Those who have weapons will always win,
Regardless of the sanctions, those with weapons can always benefit from those without weapons.

[Kilobugya]

Those who have weapons will always win,
Regardless of the sanctions, those with weapons can always benefit from those without weapons.

Worked so well for USA in Vietnam. France in Algeria. UK in India. Batista in Cuba. USSR in Afghanistan. Ben Ali in Tunisia. And I could go on for long. Having more weapons doesn't always grant you an automatic win.

[Sungoldy-China]

Those who have weapons will always win,
Regardless of the sanctions, those with weapons can always benefit from those without weapons.

Worked so well for USA in Vietnam. France in Algeria. UK in India. Batista in Cuba. USSR in Afghanistan. Ben Ali in Tunisia. And I could go on for long. Having more weapons doesn't always grant you an automatic win.

These are struggles that lasted for a long time,
And the final participants are butchers with blood,
Do you think which 'Kindness' force in Myanmar will stay till the end?

[Valentine Z]

On the note of the coup from a native in another country (I am not sure if this is even needed to mention but ah wells!), a couple of newsworthy (or noteworthy) events have happened.

- Well, for the second consecutive year, Thingyan (Water Festival) was more or less cancelled. Last year, it was thanks to COVID screwing things up and not permitting large gatherings. 2020 was perhaps the first time that we have to cancel the festivities since 1988. In short: 1988, 2020, and now 2021. Well, this year's festivities was technically cancelled. I mean, people are not going to enjoy it when they have guns pointed at them, and when the military was doing this. Not so for the military, obviously. If you know where to look, there are various military/cronies-sanctioned water stages and festivals held here and there. If you go there and are found out, you can and will be marked under the ire of the people around you (and this can include your friends and family if they are anti-coup), and I am not threatening anyone here or exaggerating. This has happened even to the celebrities, and what you would call a "cancel culture", except there are bigger consequences for supporting military's blood-soaked (not literally) festivals; you are not going to get killed by the citizens, but expect A LOT of shunning and loss of reputation. In short? These people are mostly pro-military folks who are enjoying the festivals while people are dying. Many of the citizens are just celebrating in spirit.

- In a twisted way of "life imitates video games", pagodas and sacred grounds are becoming actual safe-zones whereby no violence or weapon can be drawn. Yes, I have stated about how temples were seemingly looted (I am not denying it, but I can't find a legitimate source just yet, so it is possible it has happened small-scale and left unreported), but being a Theravada Buddhism-majority nation, no one is going to be blasphemous enough to do such a horrible act. Case in point, this was from a day ago. I am not here to discuss the role of religion here and on whether or not secularism will help, so please bear this in mind with me. I am simply here to share that yes, there are places where not even the military dared to touch, perhaps excluding the possible looting that I aforementioned. Interestingly enough, it rained yesterday, which we usually regard as something nice and wonderful. April is part of Summer and the hottest month in most of Burma, and rain like this is occasional. In short, people go to pagodas for a peace of mind, doing religious/traditional errands, and yes, to celebrate Thingyan in heart and in spirit.