covering burma and southeast asia
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Opinion
editorial

Courage and Cowardice in the Courtroom

By THE IRRAWADDY
Two recent court cases reveal that Burma's judges are still beholden to their masters.

The President's Speech

By THE IRRAWADDY
Words and goodwill will take Thein Sein only so far in his efforts to reform Burma.

Burma’s Trust Deficit

By THE IRRAWADDY
More than elections, ceasefire agreements and foreign investment, Burma needs an honest reckoning of past mistakes to restore the trust that has been broken by five decades of military rule.

Burma’s Much-Awaited News Finally Arrives

By THE IRRAWADDY
Many of Burma’s most prominent political prisoners have finally been released and President Thein Sein deserves credit for making that happen, but the hard work of reform has just begun.

A Cruel Clemency

By THE IRRAWADDY
Burma marks its Independence Day with an empty gesture from its government that only serves to underline the fact that the country is still far from free.
commentaries

Sizing Up an Icon

By NEIL LAWRENCE
Will Aung San Suu Kyi measure up to her larger-than-life stature after next month's election?

Fighting Corruption Begins at Home

By KYAW ZWA MOE
Burmese officials should disclose their sources of wealth if they're serious about fighting graft.

Future of Exiled Burmese Media

By AUNG ZAW
As international businesses and donors clamor to move inside Burma it is easy to forget the crucial role the exiled media still has to play in championing reform.

How Much Freedom Does Burmese Media Enjoy?

By AUNG ZAW
Drafting of new media law promises much in a changing political landscape, but rise of cronyism and lack of proper training offers new challenges to press freedom.

Five Days in Burma

By AUNG ZAW
Five days is a short time to spend in one's country after nearly a quarter of a century in exile, but it is enough to get some sense of what is happening during this period of change in Burma.
contributor

Making Sure Burma Doesn't Go Dutch

By SEAN TURNELL
Burma's energy exports could drive up the value of the kyat—and ruin the prospects of developing other sectors—unless plans to float the currency are accompanied by other measures.

Corruption Scandal in Burma: The Canadian Connection

By TIN MAUNG HTOO
Amid reports of massive corruption in Burma's Ministry of Mines, a Canadian mining company's shady dealings in the country bear re-examination.

Helping Education to Keep Pace with Reform

By DAVID I. STEINBERG
Establishing an independent board to oversee and promote the translation of key Western texts into the Burmese language would help spur education as society opens up.

Resolving Ethnic Conflicts in Burma—Ceasefires to Sustainable Peace

By ASHLEY SOUTH
The transition currently underway in Burma presents the best opportunity in over two decades to address ethnic conflicts and turn ceasefires into sustainable peace.

How the Game Was Lost

By ADAM SELENE
Whether or not she gets a cabinet position after next month's election, Aung San Suu Kyi has already been outflanked in the real battle for Burma's future.