Myanmar’s democracy was always a bit of an aspiration. Now, we don’t have even that
by Rashmee
Posted on February 13, 2021
/FAITH, HOPE… A fortnight after the military coup in Myanmar, the dismal truth is how little hope there is for a return to normal order. That’s because the normal order for Myanmar would be a managed democracy or at least, a quasi-democracy. And that doesn’t seem to have pleased anyone. Not the country’s powerful army, … Continue reading “Myanmar’s democracy was always a bit of an aspiration. Now, we don’t have even that”
Read MoreNow, for that other major election – in Myanmar
by Rashmee
Posted on November 8, 2020
Today, Myanmar goes to the polls for only the second time in a decade. Roughly half a century of military rule ended in 2011. Aung San Suu Kyi led her party to victory in the first election after the junta, to use the phraseology of one Donald Trump, stood back and stood by. It was … Continue reading “Now, for that other major election – in Myanmar”
Read MoreCould Rohingya crisis set off faith-based conflicts in South Asia? That’s what Bimal Ghosh fears
by Rashmee
Posted on September 19, 2017
Only the short-sighted or the credulous would be persuaded by Aung San Suu Kyi’s extraordinary response to the Rohingya exodus from Myanmar. Ms Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s State Counselor and de facto leader, said on Tuesday, that her country “does not fear international scrutiny”. She added that her democratically elected government was yet to find out … Continue reading “Could Rohingya crisis set off faith-based conflicts in South Asia? That’s what Bimal Ghosh fears”
Read MoreListen to Mishal Husain’s 2013 interview with Aung San Suu Kyi. It’s Trump’s ‘many sides’
by Rashmee
Posted on September 9, 2017
Here’s the link. Click on the embedded video. Have a listen for yourself. Four years ago, BBC journalist Mishal Husain @MishalHusainBBC interviewed Aung San Suu Kyi about the plight of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Ms Suu Kyi pre-viewed US president Donald Trump’s “many sides” moral equivalence about the neo-fascist march in Charlottesville. She said that all … Continue reading “Listen to Mishal Husain’s 2013 interview with Aung San Suu Kyi. It’s Trump’s ‘many sides’”
Read MoreAung San Suu Kyi’s darkening image: From icon to ‘fake news’ ideologue
by Rashmee
Posted on September 6, 2017
Till Wednesday (September 6), Myanman’s de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi had said nothing about her country’s latest Rohingya crisis. If only she hadn’t broken her silence. In denouncing “fake news” about the Rohingyas’ persecution, she has become anti-heroine extraordinaire. She has gone from a globally admired beacon of resistance to injustice to an advocate … Continue reading “Aung San Suu Kyi’s darkening image: From icon to ‘fake news’ ideologue”
Read More#Myanmar leader isn’t Obama’s best friend; just his best bet
by Rashmee
Posted on May 20, 2013
Here’s the opening line of a Reuters report on America’s cosying up to Myanmar: “President Barack Obama will walk a fine line between fostering a U.S. ally in China’s backyard and trying to defend human rights when the president of Myanmar becomes the first head of his country to visit the White House in 47 years on Monday.” That, … Continue reading “#Myanmar leader isn’t Obama’s best friend; just his best bet”
Read MorePots of gold: Why is Myanmar a better bet than Haiti?
by Rashmee
Posted on February 17, 2013
Haiti is not open for business, says Nigel Fisher, the United Nations’ voice – and face – around these parts. Or words to that effect. So far, so usual, except when one notes that poor, undeveloped Myanmar is suddenly deemed to be gloriously open for business. According to the Myanmar Investment Commission, the country received US$794 … Continue reading “Pots of gold: Why is Myanmar a better bet than Haiti?”
Read MoreAung San Suu Kyi’s iPod playlist? Not really
by Rashmee
Posted on January 27, 2013
It says something about Aung San Suu Kyi’s restraint and self-effacement that she personally picked just one of the eight musical tracks she was allowed to choose for the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘Desert Island Discs’. In a sense then, this was not really a hypothetical playlist from Suu Kyi’s hypothetical iPod. (Does she have an … Continue reading “Aung San Suu Kyi’s iPod playlist? Not really”
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Rashmee has lived and worked in several countries in the past decade, including Afghanistan, India, Haiti, Tunisia, the UAE, US and UK