In Myanmar, an Evolving Discourse on Decentralization

By Kim N. B. Ninh and Matthew Arnold With a much-heralded democratic transition underway in Myanmar, the future holds the potential for impressive gains but also significant challenges. Among the latter, decentralization and state-local relations as mandated by the...

Myanmar Muslims hide amid deadly sectarian clashes

BY KHIN MAUNG WIN Buddhist mobs have been attacking Muslims in the Asian nation THANDWE, Myanmar (AP) — Terrified Muslim families hid in forests in western Myanmar on Wednesday, one day after fleeing a new round of deadly sectarian violence that erupted even as the...

Former Burmese Exile Broadcaster DVB Goes Commercial

By SAW YAN NAING / THE IRRAWADDY After more than two decades relying mainly on donors to fund its reporting and broadcasting, the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), a leading Burmese news outlet, has announced that it will turn to a commercial business model as donor...

No Jobs at Home for Burmese Facing Expulsion From Thailand

By WILLIAM BOOT / THE IRRAWADDY Desperate behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts by the government in Naypidaw to resolve the continuing migrant labour mess with Thailand “highlights the truly critical issue of the lack of employment opportunities in Burma,” a noted...

Burma’s First Evening Private Daily on the Way

By KYAW HSU MON / THE IRRAWADDY The Burmese-language newspaper, People Power, aims to hit the newsstands around 4 pm daily, as soon as it receives a license from the government’s press registration board, expected this week or next week. “We have applied for a...