Global Geopolitics & Political Economy B.RAMAN The three-day (Nov.30—Dec 2,2011) visit of Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, to Myanmar— the first by a US Secretary of State since the visit of Johan Foster Dulles in 1955— indicated the growing self-confidence of President Thein Sein that the cautious policy of domestic reforms and external opening-up [...]
Asian Allies Back Burma Uneasily
April 26, 2011 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS Analysis by Larry Jagan BANGKOK, Apr 26, 2011 (IPS) – Already Burma’s new civilian government poses problems for its Asian allies as it tries to woo the international community. The month-old quasi-civilian administration, led by President Thein Sein has launched a new diplomatic charm offensive in an effort [...]
BURMA: Military Plays a Civilian-Looking Game
April 11, 2011 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS Analysis by Larry Jagan BANGKOK, Apr 11, 2011 (IPS) – A new quasi-civilian government has taken over in Burma, but diplomats, analysts and pro-democracy activists are dismissing it as nothing more than "old wine in a new bottle". Burma analysts believe that strongman Than Shwe has only retreated [...]
HEALTH-BURMA: Global Fund Back With New Hope
February 26, 2011 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Marwaan Macan-Markar BANGKOK, Feb 26, 2011 (IPS) – Burma’s transition from an overt military rule to a civilian administration of retired generals is getting a shot in the arm from a former critic of the junta – the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The [...]
BURMA: China Stands Behind New President
February 12, 2011 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Marwaan Macan-Markar BANGKOK, Feb 12, 2011 (IPS) – China is throwing its weight behind Burma’s predicted political transformation from military rule to a supposed civilian government, deepening its strong economic ties with the resource-rich Southeast Asian nation some have described as Beijing’s "client state". China was the [...]
BURMA: If Freed, Suu Kyi Would Face New Political Landscape
November 6, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS Analysis by Marwaan Macan-Markar BANGKOK, Nov 6, 2010 (IPS) – To some in her country she is known as "The Lady," and to others, the more endearing "Aunty Suu." Yet beyond the borders of Burma, which has endured nearly 50 years of oppressive military regimes, Aung San Suu [...]
POLITICS-BURMA: On Poll Eve, To Vote or Not to Vote
November 5, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Mon Mon Myat RANGOON, Nov 5, 2010 (IPS) – Near markets, bus stops and busy areas in this city, groups of young people are busy handling out leaflets with a photograph of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her message saying "people have a right not [...]
BURMA: Poll A Showdown between Dead Strongman and Living One
October 29, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Marwaan Macan-Markar BANGKOK, Oct 29, 2010 (IPS) – The ghost of military-ruled Burma’s first strongman, Gen Ne Win, has returned to haunt the South-east Asian nation’s current junta leader, Senior Gen Than Shwe, as the country heads for its first general election in two decades on Nov. [...]
Looking Beyond Burma’s 2010 Elections
October 24, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Kanya D’Almeida UNITED NATIONS, Oct 24, 2010 (IPS) – While scores of international observers wait on tenterhooks for the first election in Burma in two decades – and one of only three multiparty elections in 60 years – a report by the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the [...]
BURMA: Ahead of Poll, Junta Faces Off with A Familiar Foe – Radio
October 20, 2010 By
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Marwaan Macan-Markar BANGKOK, Oct 20, 2010 (IPS) – As military-ruled Burma heads towards its first general election in two decades in November, its citizens are tuning in to their enduring faith in the old communication order – the power of the radio. The key role that radio [...]
