The Irrawaddy Magazine | Archive | OPINION

Who’s Next for Burma’s Blacklist?

By THE IRRAWADDY

The removal of more than 2,000 names from the government’s “blacklist” has left many people baffled and bemused.

Will Aung Kyi Defend Press Freedom?

Burma’s new information minister is known to be moderate and most of the country’s journalists are cautiously optimistic about his appointment.

Naypyidaw Sending Mixed Signals to Asean

By KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN/ THE NATION

Burma is slowly creating its own space within the body politics of Asean—which may or may not coincide with the grouping’s collective interests.

Blacklisted from Burma’s Reform

By KYAW ZWA MOE / THE IRRAWADDY

While the announcement that 2,000 names have been removed from the blacklist should be welcomed, its very existence stands in the way of exiles returning.

The Name Game: What You Should Know about Burma’s Political Prisoners

By BO KYI

In Burma, the false distinction between “political prisoners” and “prisoners of conscience” can mean the difference between freedom and continued imprisonment.

Save the Country: Tell No ‘White Lies’

By KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN

An admission by Thailand’s finance minister that he lied about the country’s economic performance attracted far less media attention than it should have.

Yingluck’s Thailand Losing Direction

By KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN

It is easy is to judge the one-year-old Yingluck government—All you need is an understanding of media spin and the fast-moving defense-offense tactics of American football.

How to Spot a Reformist?

By KYAW ZWA MOE / THE IRRAWADDY

Terms like “reformist” and “hardliner” have become all the rage to describe prominent figures in Burma yet the precise meanings remain confused.

Thai Deep South Conflict to Worsen

By KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN

Disagreement among key stakeholders could derail efforts to build lasting peace and implement useful local development projects in Thailand’s resistive south.

Obama’s Engagement with Burma

By REID LIDOW / ASIA SENTINEL

Despite domestic criticism, the Obama administration should step up efforts to engage with Burma in line with the rest of the world.

Thein Sein Reaches Out to 88 Generation

By THE IRRAWADDY

President Thein Sein sends emissaries to greet former political prisoners who led the 1988 democracy uprising but his own camp rests in the balance.

Muslims in Burma – A Struggle to Live with Dignity and Respect

By AUNG ZAW / THE IRRAWADDY

Burma’s Muslims have played a key role in country’s history for centuries, but even now, they struggle to find acceptance as equals.

Asean’s 45th Birthday Woe

By KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN

Asean needs to review its charter and undertake further bold reform as it negotiates arguably its trickiest period in a 45-year history.

Time for Media to Seize Freedom

By KYAW ZWA MOE / THE IRRAWADDY

The notorious censorship board is still chopping subjects which it judges are “inappropriate” and even banning journals from printing.

Asean Struggles to Return Genie to Bottle

By KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN

Recent conflicts in the Asean bloc require swift action in order to restore pride and functionality.

Why Burma’s Opposition Is Playing with Fire

By MIN ZIN

The Arakan violence shows that the mainstream opposition, along with a considerable segment of the population, have failed to appreciate the universality of human rights and dignity.

Education Policy Reform Needed in Burma

By SAW KAPI

Only with a representative education policy will Burma be able to build a schools system that produces a skilled labor force while recognizing ethnic identities.

Love Thy Neighbor—Thai-Burmese Relations

By AUNG ZAW / THE IRRAWADDY

Burma’s chequered history with Thailand has long been based on historical mistrust but now seems more governed by pursuit of profit.

The Arakan Conflict and Nationalist Threats In Burma

By SAI LATT/ ASIA SENTINEL

As Burmese society liberalizes after 60 years, new strains appear.

Asean’s New Challenges Post-Phnom Penh

By KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN

Asean leaders and all organs of the 45-year-old grouping have been shaken to the core since the disastrous quagmire now known as the “Phnom Penh incident.”