The free-flowing Salween is the last big undammed river in Southeast Asia, home to a flurry of endangered species including tigers and clouded leopards, writes Tom Fawthrop in Hpa-an, Karen State, Myanmar. And thanks to support from both the indigenous Karen people, and senior officials in China who see the huge ecotourism potential of the river and its dramatic gorge, it could just stay that way.
As Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy takes a strong lead in Burma's elections, Nafeez Ahmed warns that the military will remain the real power in the land. And as UK, EU, US, Chinese and Gulf state energy corporations compete to exploit Burma's hydrocarbons, don't expect them to denounce the ongoing genocide of the Rohingya, and anyone else in the way of their oil and gas infrastructure.
As the world's media hails Burma's first elections since 1990 and the country's 'democratic transition' from military rule, Guy Horton warns against the delusional thinking that underlies these optimistic narratives. The reality is one of fascism, mass murder, genocide and systematic discrimination - in which Aung San Suu Kyi herself is complicit through her silence.
The president of Burma has decided that coal is the way to future wealth and prosperity, write Carole Oudot & Matthieu Baudey. But if the experiences of farmers and village people near Tigyit, site of the country's biggest coal mine and coal-fired power plant is anything to go by, it will bring only poverty, pollution, ill-health and land grabs to rural communities across the country.
Decades violent expulsions, race laws and denial of citizenship lie at the root of the 'boat people' crisis in Thailand and Malaysia, writes Oliver Tickell. Attacks on the Rohingya minority have escalated since a new policy was announced in 2014 to permanently deny their rights.
The best way to deal with embarrassing, inconvenient facts is to ignore them, writes Guy Horton. And this is precisely what the international community is doing over Burma's demographic anomaly - 9 million people who ought to be there, but aren't. Their absence is prima facie evidence of genocide - but as we all celebrate the 'brave new Burma', no one wants to know.
New analysis of Burma's forestry and trade data points to a multi-billion dollar illegal logging and exports black hole - indicating widespread criminality and official corruption.
Aung San Suu Kyi is the international face of Burma and a global icon of courage, endurance and moral authority. But as Guy Horton reports from Burma, she is now actively colluding with the Burmese military's violent campaigns against minority ethnic and religious groups.
Despite wreaking havoc on the health of local villagers and the environment, Burma's military regime is doing nothing to reduce the impact of the Tigyit power plant and mine
As Burma prepares for national elections activists have launched a film to highlight the negative environmental and social impacts of the country’s largest iron mine
Ka Hsaw Wa has seen many of his friends killed and has suffered torture at the hands of the Burmese military. Now he is taking Unocal, one of the US companies that trades with the murderous regime, to court. One of the most wanted men in Burma, talks to The Ecologist.
Or Myanmar, depending on which side of the military regime you find yourself. If like the companies below you support the regime, enjoy your visit to Myanmar. If not, please boycott Burma.
