News reports have emerged that Myanmar’s air force is buying two Airbus CASA C295 aircraft worth US$38.6 million (52.29 billion kyats) from the Royal Jordanian Air Force. While Airbus, based in the EU, would be prevented from entering such a deal directly by the bloc’s arms embargo against Myanmar, the Middle Eastern kingdom has no […]
Rakhine Rebels Eager for Foreign Investment
August 5, 2019 by
YANGON—The Arakan Army (AA) has signaled to foreign developers it wants them to invest in Rakhine State, noting that the region is on an essential part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—the proposed comprehensive trade and logistics route linking China and Europe through Central Asia, the Middle East and Russia. […]
A Conversation With US Ambassador Scot Marciel
April 3, 2019 by
On March 8, The Irrawaddy’s editorial team invited US Ambassador Scot Marciel to our office in Yangon to participate in a conversation on a range of issues, particularly the many challenges Myanmar is facing. The ambassador offered his frank views in response to questions from senior editors. Here are excerpts from the interview: The Irrawaddy: […]
Facebook Bans ‘Dangerous’ Armed Groups in Myanmar From Platform
February 7, 2019 by
YANGON —Facebook announced on Tuesday afternoon that it has banned the four ethnic armed groups that comprise Myanmar’s Northern Alliance, calling them “dangerous organizations.” It said all related praise, support and representation of the Arakan Army, Kachin Independence Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Ta’ang National Liberation Army would also be removed as soon […]
China hardsells big ticket but low on trust, India’s soft power push in Myanmar education and health
September 11, 2018 by
As Delhi seeks to expand its engagement with Myanmar, it is in sectors such as education, health and entertainment services that India hopes to make an impact in a country crowded with several international players, and completely dominated by China. In a state-of-the art classroom at the steel and glass Myanmar Institute of Information Technology […]
What About the Chinese Immigrants Caught in Myanmar’s Crossfire?
December 12, 2016 by
Huang Yanling’s grandparents had thought they could never return home to China when they sought asylum in Myanmar almost six decades ago. The pair from Tengchong, in Yunnan ( 雲南 ) province, were driven out of the country along with countless others when a nationwide famine hit as a result of Mao Zedong’s ( […]
In Myanmar, the AIIB Could Buttress China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ Framework
August 23, 2016 by
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank could come to play a greater role in Myanmar. Is the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) just another vehicle for spreading Chinese geoeconomic primacy throughout the Asia-Pacific? Earlier this year, reflecting on the bank’s first projects, I argued that such fears were overwrought. The AIIB, with modest partnership-based undertakings along with […]
