#Myanmar: the forgotten country
As global headlines focus on crises in Ukraine, the Middle East, and economic instability, Myanmar remains a tragic yet overlooked story. Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, the country has plunged deeper into a cycle of violence, humanitarian despair, and political stalemate. Despite its proximity to rising powers in Asia and its critical geostrategic location, Myanmar has been sidelined on the world stage.
The Junta: ruthless and entrenched
The military, or Tatmadaw, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, seized power under the pretext of electoral fraud in the 2020 elections won overwhelmingly by the National League for Democracy (NLD).
The junta’s rule has been marked by brutality: indiscriminate bombings, arrests of dissidents, and extrajudicial killings. Entire villages have been burned, with reports of mass atrocities committed against ethnic minorities such as the Rohingya, Karen, and Kachin. The junta's declared state of emergency has been extended multiple times, signaling no intention of relinquishing power.
To solidify control, the regime relies on business networks tied to natural resources, including jade, timber, and oil and gas revenues, while building diplomatic ties with Russia and China. Both nations provide arms and political cover, weakening international sanctions’ impact.
The Opposition: fragmented but resilient
The opposition comprises a mix of pro-democracy activists, remnants of the NLD, and ethnic armed groups that have long resisted central government control. Leading the charge is the National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow government in exile made up of ousted parliamentarians and activists. Figures like acting President Duwa Lashi La and Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung work tirelessly to garner international support. On the ground, the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), the armed wing of the NUG, have joined forces with longstanding ethnic militias like the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). These groups have inflicted significant losses on the Tatmadaw but lack the heavy weaponry to mount a decisive offensive.
A frustrated perspective from Europe
As an analyst from the Machiavelli Center for Political and Strategic Studies, focusing on Southeast Asia often feels like shouting into the void. Myanmar's plight should be a pivotal issue for anyone studying regional geopolitics or human rights, yet it struggles to get attention even in academic or policy-making circles.
The West, which loves to tout its democratic values, seems content to ignore the slow death of an entire nation under a military jackboot. The frustration is palpable. Few want to hear about Myanmar at conferences or events, and even fewer articles or updates on the issue attract significant readership.
"Myanmar fatigue" has set in among both policymakers and the public, overshadowed by crises perceived as more immediate or strategically vital. As someone invested in the region, it’s maddening to watch a crisis of this magnitude unfold in near silence, its victims forgotten because their suffering isn’t seen as urgent enough.
Why the silence?
Western nations, particularly the United States and European Union, have condemned the junta and imposed targeted sanctions. However, these measures have proven insufficient, primarily because of Myanmar's complex regional dynamics:
China views Myanmar as part of its Belt and Road Initiative and has maintained relations with the junta to secure infrastructure projects and natural resources.
Russia, eager to build alliances in Asia amidst its isolation, has strengthened military cooperation, selling arms and engaging in joint exercises.
India has adopted a cautious approach, balancing concerns over Myanmar's stability with its own strategic and border security interests.
In the West, attention has shifted to other crises, and the fragmented nature of Myanmar's opposition makes it less of a rallying cause compared to Ukraine or Gaza. From a European perspective, Myanmar’s lack of resonance is a reminder that global attention isn’t always allocated based on moral urgency—it’s a matter of proximity and geopolitical interest.
A humanitarian abyss
The consequences are devastating. Over 1.7 million people have been displaced, and nearly half the population lives in poverty. Humanitarian organizations face significant obstacles, with aid blocked by the military in rebel-held areas. Meanwhile, the global response remains muted, with ASEAN’s much-touted Five-Point Consensus failing to gain traction.
Myanmar deserves more
Myanmar is not just a regional tragedy; it’s a global failure. The international community cannot afford to let the junta normalize its oppressive rule through apathy and distraction. The West must pressure ASEAN to take a stronger stance, explore more effective sanctions, and engage Myanmar’s neighbors to block the junta's support lifelines.
For those of us in the field, Myanmar is a painful reminder of the limitations of analysis and advocacy. No matter how often we highlight the gravity of the situation, the world seems to turn away. Myanmar deserves better. Until the West and its allies take its crisis seriously, it will remain what it is now: the forgotten country.