EURO-BURMA OFFICE                    ADDB Inc – Canada, Euro-Burma Office – Belgium, EBO Foundation – Chiang Mai

Opinion Papers

ASEAN’s misunderstood ‘Retreat Diplomacy’

Source: Asia News Network

At the Langkawi Retreat in January 2025, for instance, the tradition was not to immediately lock into a list of talking points and formal notes that must be discussed in unadulterated form by the ASEAN Leaders Summit in May 2025

By Phar Kim Beng, Professor of Asean Studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia

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China Must Explain Defense of Myanmar Junta

Source: Irrawaddy

In late 2024, reports emerged that the Chinese authorities had arrested MNDAA leader Peng Daxun, leading to speculation that the group might have to withdraw from Lashio. Throughout last month, rumors persisted about an MNDAA retreat

Analysis | Wai Min Tun

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The Arakan Army battles for legitimacy

Source: East Asia Forum

The Arakan Army (AA) has captured significant territory in Rakhine State and is striving to establish itself as the legitimate government by providing public services and infrastructure. However, the AA is experiencing an international legitimacy crisis.

By Htet Hlaing Win

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SOUL-SEARCHING ON 78TH SHAN NATIONAL DAY ANNIVERSARY: Consociationalism as nation-building and inter-ethnic conflict resolution tool

Source: Shan Herald Agency for News

Here we should dwell on common multi-ethnic Shan State people’s national interest, which supposed to be represented by the majority Shan or Tai ethnic group, and individual ethnic sub-groups, such as the Wa, Palaung or Ta’ang, Kokang, Pa-O, Danu and so on that inhabited the Shan State.

By Sai WANSAI

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Border Crackdown on Organised Crime Puts Vulnerable Myanmar Population in Thailand at Risk

Source: FULCRUM

The authorities of affected countries should crack down on crime at the Thailand-Myanmar border. However, they should also consider what the human cost of such policing might be for thousands of displaced and vulnerable Myanmar citizens.

By Nyi Nyi Kyaw, Marie Curie Research Fellow at the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies at the University of Bristol

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