Power

Political reporting and analysis on the big questions facing the region.

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Feb 03, 2021 • 5 min read

Myanmar coup US designates Myanmar military takeover as a coup

By Agence France-Presse • Feb 03, 2021
The US on February 2 formally designated Myanmar's military ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy government as a coup, after the country's army chief General Min Aung Hlaing described the takeover as "inevitable"

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Feb 02, 2021 • 10 min read

Myanmar coup Myanmar’s military coup: Why now, and where do we go from here?

By Kiana Duncan and Allegra Mendelson • Feb 02, 2021
As Myanmar grapples with the aftermath of the coup that unfolded in the early hours of February 1, observers are speculating as to the reasons behind the timing of the power grab, as well as the long-term impact that a military government could have on the country

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Feb 02, 2021 • 5 min read

Myanmar coup Ousted Myanmar party demands release of Aung San Suu Kyi

By Agence France-Presse • Feb 02, 2021
Myanmar's ousted National League for Democracy party called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other detained leaders on February 2, describing the coup a day earlier as a "stain" on the military's history

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Feb 02, 2021 • 2 min read

Myanmar coup Rohingya in Bangladesh camps rejoice at Suu Kyi detention

By Agence France-Presse • Feb 02, 2021
Rohingya Muslims in refugee camps celebrated Aung San Suu Kyi's detention by the army on February 1, with Myanmar's civilian leader coming under increasing criticism for her failure to condemn the brutal military crackdown against the minority group

Power • Feb 01, 2021 • 8 min read
Myanmar coup

The view on the ground: Runs on food and empty ATMs in Yangon

As a military coup unfolded with the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi in the early hours of 1 February, panicked citizens feared food and cash shortages, while others pulled down National League for Democracy flags frightened of violent reprisals for their support of the ousted party
By Allegra Mendelson • Feb 01, 2021

Power • Feb 01, 2021 • 3 min read
Myanmar coup

Myanmar coup: What we know so far

A National League for Democracy spokesman announced in the early hours of February 1 that Aung San Suu Kyi had been arrested as part of a military coup in Myanmar. While internet is patchy and many media sources shut down, here's what we now so far
By Agence France-Presse • Feb 01, 2021

Power • Feb 01, 2021 • 2 min read
Myanmar coup

Suu Kyi issued pre-emptive call to reject coup; military pledges elections

Aung San Suu Kyi issued a pre-emptive call before she was detained for people to reject any coup against her government, her party said, while the military has stated that it will hold elections and transfer power once the year-long state of emergency has elapsed
By Agence France-Presse • Feb 01, 2021

Power • Feb 01, 2021 • 2 min read
Myanmar coup

Governments around the world condemn Myanmar’s military coup

The US was among several governments around the world in calling for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar on February 1, after the military arrested civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other politicians as they staged a coup
By Agence France-Presse • Feb 01, 2021

Power • Feb 01, 2021 • 3 min read
Myanmar coup

Myanmar’s military stages coup, detains Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi has been "detained" by the military in Myanmar, the spokesman for her party the National League for Democracy said early on February 1, in a coup overthrowing her government over what the military have labelled irregularities in the November polls
By Agence France-Presse • Feb 01, 2021

Power • Jan 29, 2021 • 8 min read
Analysis

As lèse majesté cases soar, what does this tell us about the Thai state?

Thailand has seen a surge in lèse majesté cases as the government cracks down on the blossoming pro-democracy movement. But not just a new tactic by current military-affiliated rulers, opposition voices have long been cast as a national security issue in the kingdom
By Mark S. Cogan • Jan 29, 2021

Power • Jan 29, 2021 • 3 min read
Myanmar democracy

Myanmar army chief’s rhetoric fuels fears of a coup

Fears are swirling about a possible coup by the military in Myanmar as the country's army chief has raised the prospect of scrapping the constitution over alleged electoral fraud in the November polls
By Agence France-Presse • Jan 29, 2021

Power • Jan 27, 2021 • 7 min read
Geopolitics

Why the U.S., and not ASEAN, is the answer for Vietnam’s South China Sea dispute

The South China Sea issue has long proved a sticking point for ASEAN, unable to forge a united front against Chinese claims. Researcher Nguyen Hoang Anh Thu says the political block isn't equipped to ward off Beijing, and Vietnam should instead seek a US alliance
By Nguyen Hoang Anh Thu • Jan 27, 2021