Background and Crisis:
On 1st February 2021, the Myanmar military detains Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy.[1] A state of emergency is declared within the region and hell breaks loose as Army Chief Min Aung Hlaing seizes control of the nation. This is the beginning of one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade. As the crisis approaches its fourth year in February 2025, hope for resolution remains bleak. The international community and media have largely shifted their focus, leaving Myanmar trapped in a silent siege while the region continues to grapple with the ongoing turmoil.
Myanmar has remained under military rule since 1962, with brief periods of independence and democracy.[2] Under this rule, Mynamar has operated under a foreign isolationist policy devastating its economy and losing international interest. In 2011 it saw the dissolution of military rule creating a military-citizen parliament, which led to a rise in democratic sentiment in the people leading to landslide election wins by the National League of Democracy party in 2015 and 2020.[3] Democratic governance remained in the shadow of military dominance and violence continued under the democratic party but it remained popular amongst voters. After their landslide win in 2020, the military claimed that there was election fraud and demanded a rerun of the votes.[4] When the party denied such allegations they were faced with a military coup in 2021 which led Mynamar to the state that it is today.
Since the onset of the crisis, the region has faced relentless conflict and instability leaving 55 townships under martial law, and more than 1600 people sentenced to imprisonment, hard labor, and death.[5] The military campaign has hence remained adamant on eliminating all opposition including other parties such as the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) the ethnic revolutionary organization (ERO), and the Three Brotherhood Alliance.[6] On the coup’s second anniversary, the military extended the state of emergency for six months, postponing general elections that were planned for August 2023.[7] Tensions have escalated since the ruling military junta also dissolved the National League for Democracy party.[8] Beyond the violence, regional and international displacement, Myanmar is a victim of a crippling economy and healthcare system. Both of which exacerbate the severity of the situation.[9] This can be witnessed as tensions between the opposition and the Junta have also escalated since October 2023 when the Three Brotherhood Alliance an opposition launched an offensive called Operation 1027. As a result of the escalated conflict situation, Mynamar’s GDP has taken a hit. The GDP is 12 percent below pre-coup levels with the effects of skyrocketed inflation.
The military has reacted violently not only to opposition parties but also to opposing protestors and civilians engaging in the use of water cannons, rubber bullets, and fire.[10] Brutal tactics involve shooting live ammunition into the homes of protestors and targeting them with airstrikes. According to the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants 2.6 million people have already been displaced due to this violence.[11]
International Community and Media Response:
The international community’s response to the crisis has been deeply disappointing. Although the Biden Administration and the United Nations Security Council have engaged in sanctions they prove to be highly ineffective against military rulers who firmly believe in economic isolation.[12] The policy fails in many ways and most importantly the fact that it is barely involved in the world trading system. Organizations have only provided verbal statements of pity and encouragement. The complexity of the situation is coupled with increased Russian and Chinese involvement. Both supporters of the military coup have provided arms to further their agenda and worsen the situation in the state.[13] China and Russia’s vested interests make foreign intervention a formidable task.
Alongside Western international support, Myanmar’s crisis also calls for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) support. Due to their proximity many countries such as India and Thailand have tightened security over their borders to avoid crisis spillover.[14] However, these countries showed their support by taking in refugees and soldiers.[15] Overall the ASEAN has decided on the “Mynamar-led and Mynamar-owned” solution which essentially means that the problem needs to be resolved internally with some ASEAN support.[16]
Furthermore, the lack of international media attention arises from the multiple crises around the world. As the Middle Eastern and Ukrainian conflicts make the headlines Mynamar is forgotten. This imbalance affects international awareness and humanitarian efforts to respond to the crisis. The lack of pressure from media and external stakeholders may therefore be a significant contributing factor to the overall lack of international response to the Myanmar crisis.
Conclusion:
Although the tensions remain the resistance troops from all parties are now outnumbering the military junta.[17] Many of the military junta have lost combat effectiveness thanks to the gross mismanagement and corruption in the junta system although they do remain superior in the airforce.[18] The international community must start engaging before it’s too late. These repeated coups and perpetual cycle of violence in Mynamar should be a wake-up call for the international community. It needs to understand the only way to end the misery in Myanmar is to end the junta military and free it from its repeated cycle of violence.
In conclusion, the Myanmar crisis stands as a glaring testament to the dangers of unchecked military dominance, isolationist policies, and the international community’s failure to prioritize humanitarian and geopolitical stability within the region. Over the past four years, the people of Myanmar have faced extreme violence, economic collapse, and widespread displacement. The junta’s unyielding grip on power, reinforced by corruption and brutality, highlights the importance of breaking the cycle of suffering in the region. The resilience of Myanmar’s resistance forces provides a glimmer of hope, however, these efforts will falter without external support and intervention. A renewed global commitment and focus within Myanmar is critical for reinforcing peace and justice.
Jivika Bhat is a second-year majoring in International Relations and Public Policy. She is deeply interested in Southeast Asian security and geopolitics. Jivika is also working with the G7 Research group as a compliance analyst, research analyst at hart house social justice, and a second year rep at International relations society. At Synergy, Jivika is committed to bringing light to issues that Southeast Asia grapples with and thoroughly researching on security, diplomacy and policy within the region.
Footnotes
AL JAZEERA, 2023.
Harvard International Review, 2024.
Harvard International Review, 2024.
Harvard International Review, 2024.
Amnesty International, 2023.
Eriksson, 2023.
AL JAZEERA, 2023.
AL JAZEERA, 2023.
US Committee for Refugees and Immigrant, 2024.
Harvard International Review, 2024.
US Committee for Refugees and Immigrant, 2024.
Harvard International Review, 2024.
Harvard International Review, 2024.
Jones, 2024.
Jones, 2024.
Jones, 2024.
Eriksson, 2023.
Eriksson, 2023.
Bibliography
- USCRI. “Myanmar’s Human Rights Crisis: Insufficient International Attention.” USCRI. Last modified August 1, 2024. https://refugees.org/myanmars-human-rights-crisis-in-freefall-with-insufficient-international-attention/.
- United Nations. “Far from the Headlines: Myanmar – The Rohingya Crisis.” United Nations Western Europe. Last modified August 23, 2024. https://unric.org/en/myanmar-the-rohingya-crisis/.
- Vasisht, Cchavi. “Myanmar on the Brink: Power Struggles, Economic Collapse, and Escalating Conflict – South Asian Voices.” South Asian Voices. Last modified June 5, 2024. https://southasianvoices.org/geo-f-in-n-myanmars-resistance-makes-headway-05-21-2024-2/.
- “Myanmar Conflict: Spiralling Crisis Requires Renewed Global Focus.” Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI). Last modified February 23, 2024. https://institute.global/insights/geopolitics-and-security/myanmar-conflict-spiralling-crisis-requires-renewed-global-focus.
- “There’s No ‘Political Solution’ to Myanmar’s Crisis.” The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine. Last modified June 7, 2023. https://thediplomat.com/2023/06/theres-no-political-solution-to-myanmars-crisis/.
- “Why Has the World Forgotten About Myanmar?” Harvard International Review. Last modified June 27, 2022. https://hir.harvard.edu/why-has-the-world-forgotten-about-myanmar/.
- “Human Rights in Myanmar.” Amnesty International. Accessed December 20, 2024. https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-east-asia-and-the-pacific/myanmar/report-myanmar/.
- “Timeline: Two Years of Killings and Arrests Since Myanmar Coup.” Al Jazeera. Last modified February 1, 2023. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/1/timeline-two-years-since-the-myanmar-military-coup.
- “ASEAN’s solution to Myanmar is at a tipping point.” East Asia Forum. Last modified March 12, 2024. https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/03/12/aseans-solution-to-myanmar-is-at-a-tipping-point/.