Topic: Myanmar Politics

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Obama and Myanmar (Burma): 4 points about conflict there

A long-simmering ethnic conflict in Myanmar (Burma) recently broke into American newspapers: At least 89 people have been killed and more than 35,000 displaced in what is being described (not entirely accurately) as Buddhist-Muslim violence. With President Obama as the first US head of state to visit this country, there are four points to bear in mind about this detour from Myanmar’s road to a more open society:
Six reasons this UN General Assembly is must-see TV

World leaders descend on New York for the annual United Nations gathering, starting Sept. 25. If the recent past is any guide, it can be a memorable, even explosive, occasion. Here are six moments to watch for, to brace for, this time.
Aung San Suu Kyi's historic moment: 5 things to know

Once possibly the world's best-known political prisoner, today Aung San Suu Kyi made the historic move to lawmaker, after a swearing-in ceremony at Myanmar's parliament in the capital of Naypyidaw. Here are five things about her.
Reforms in Myanmar: 4 reasons the military changed course

For more than half a century, Myanmar’s military governments were synonymous with brutality and corruption, but a year ago the military stepped aside, handing power to a nominally civilian government. Here are four reasons why this change occurred.
Women's history month: 10 women making history today

March is known as Women's History month, meant to recognize the contributions and progress of women across history and around the world. Women today are playing some significant roles, from making peace to crafting economic policy in the midst of a crisis. Here are 10 women who are making history, today.

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Burmese optimistic after historic White House visit

Burmese are celebrating an end to their long international isolation with the first state visit to the US by a Myanmar president in almost 50 years.
Myanmar's White House bow: well done, but not mission accomplished

Thein Sein on Monday became the first Burmese president to visit the US since 1968. His meeting with President Obama is part of an opening of Myanmar to US business, but there's much more to do, a human-rights activist says.
A step toward democracy: Privately owned newspapers return to Myanmar

In Myanmar the state has monopolized the daily press since the 1960s, but on Monday, privately owned daily newspapers will hit the streets once again. The change is part of reform efforts by President Thein Sein.
Backchannels Backward step for reform in Myanmar?

Yes, Myanmar's military backed government has promised elections in 2015 and released Aun San Suu Kyi from prison. But it's still calling the shots - and violently.
Obama, Hillary Clinton top Gallup's most admired: Who else is on the list?

President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both extended their winning streaks as the man and woman most admired by Americans. The women's list is more diverse than the men's.
Thousands protesting gang rape clash with Indian police

Massive protests against gang rape have sprung up across India. Set off by the rape and beating of a 23-year-old student on a bus, protesters have faced police push back, tear gas, and water cannons.
Obama and Myanmar (Burma): 4 points about conflict there

A long-simmering ethnic conflict in Myanmar (Burma) recently broke into American newspapers: At least 89 people have been killed and more than 35,000 displaced in what is being described (not entirely accurately) as Buddhist-Muslim violence. With President Obama as the first US head of state to visit this country, there are four points to bear in mind about this detour from Myanmar’s road to a more open society:
How China views Obama's trip to Myanmar

China is watching Obama's trip to neighboring Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia this weekend with a wary eye. But Myanmar could offer an opportunity for China and the US to work together, say analysts.
What Obama will accomplish with a visit to Myanmar

With the Myanmar visit, President Obama will showcase one of his foreign-policy accomplishments and will underscore a US commitment to supporting Asia’s political and economic development.
Backchannels Obama to visit Myanmar, an overture to a one-time pariah

President Obama's trip to Myanmar comes as the capstone of a stunningly fast rapprochement with a country the US once treated as a pariah. Is it too soon?
Terrorism & Security Myanmar unrest threatens to destabilize democracy and region

A week of clashes in western Myanmar has left at least 84 people dead and forced some 22,000 into crowded camps along the coast, putting pressure on the government.
Burma just opened up after 50 years. But where are all the tourists?

As Myanmar comes out of five decades of Army-imposed hibernation, it is finding the tourist game a tough one to play.
Global News Blog Good Reads: A lesson for democracy, lost and found on Google Earth, and the next Arab uprising

This week's good reads include words of wisdom from Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi, using the Internet and applied mathematics to find the long road home, and a profile of Egyptian courage.
Latin America Monitor Cuba reforms: Important changes, but pace is slow

Cuba released many political prisoners and expanded personal economic rights this year. But everything won't change at once: The socialist country has a bloated state bureaucracy that moves slowly.
Myanmar's reformist president asks world to see his country in a new light

Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, Myanmar President Thein Sein, whose reformist government has helped his country emerge from five decades of authoritarian rule, asked the international community for 'understanding and support.'
For the first time, Myanmar's president praises Aung San Suu Kyi (+video)

In a sign that five decades of authoritarian rule is coming to an end, Myanmar President Thein Sein paid unprecedented respect to opposition leader and democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
Aung San Suu Kyi wants sanctions against Myanmar(Burma) lifted

The Burmese opposition leader, who's now a member of the country's Parliament, is urging an end to US sanctions against her impoverished nation.
Six reasons this UN General Assembly is must-see TV

World leaders descend on New York for the annual United Nations gathering, starting Sept. 25. If the recent past is any guide, it can be a memorable, even explosive, occasion. Here are six moments to watch for, to brace for, this time.
Myanmar's next hurdle: Kachin refugees returning from China

Ethnic violence forced thousands of Kachins to flee to China. Human rights activists now say China is exacerbating the situation – and threatening reforms – by kicking them out.
Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with Obama

Myanmar democracy activist, Aung San Suu Kyi, one of the world's most prominent political prisoners of the past two decades, is scheduled to meet Wednesday with President Obama, and will be presented with a Congressional Gold Medal.
Prisoners released in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi visits Washington

Myanmar pardoned more than 500 prisoners on Monday, the opposition party is hopeful the amnesty included the country's 424 remaining political prisoners, a step that could strengthen the former military state's growing bonds with Washington.
Could Myanmar's economic reform bring business to war-torn ethnic regions?

Myanmar has passed a new foreign direct investment law. Now a cease-fire in the country's war-torn Karen state has some entrepreneurs hoping to attract foreign investment.
Myanmar removes names from blacklist. What does it mean for reform?

Myanmar’s government has trimmed 2,082 names from its notorious blacklist, but ambiguity over the list and fighting in remote ethnic minority borderlands make some worried about the direction of reform.
UN envoy visits Myanmar as ethnic clashes test reforms

UN envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana is visiting Myanmar in the wake of recent fighting between Buddhist Rakhines and minority Muslims. Some accuse the government of fanning tensions.
Global News Blog Clinton to Myanmar: Keep up the reforms

Though media laws have been relaxed in Myanmar, reporting on politics or sensitive subjects like ethnic unrest are still subject to censorship.