Myanmar Spring Chronicle – December 7 Perspective
MoeMaKa, December 7, 2024
Can Myanmar’s Issues Come to the Forefront of Global Attention?
Amid global crises, armed conflicts, and the use of modern, devastating weaponry, there are numerous battles where bombs, missiles, and airstrikes destroy towering buildings in seconds. Defense forces of certain governments carry out actions where the deaths of 100 civilians for every enemy soldier are seen as insignificant. The global arms industry continues to produce weapons, missiles, and military aircraft, using conflict zones as testing grounds. Simultaneously, politicians and leaders—such as presidents and prime ministers—celebrate and justify wars to secure political dominance. Media outlets often amplify and normalize these narratives instead of critically analyzing the devastating impact of the arms industry and the governments that support it.
At present, two major global war zones dominate headlines. The first is Eastern Europe, at the border between Ukraine and Russia. The second is in the Middle East, encompassing Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. In these conflicts, the Western bloc—led by the United States, NATO members, and industrialized European nations—supports one side, while countries like Russia, Iran, and North Korea back the opposing forces in Ukraine, Palestine, and Syria. These nations are heavily involved both militarily and financially.
Myanmar, in contrast, is facing an internal civil war, not a conflict involving direct participation by major global powers through weapons or funds. This lack of external involvement and Myanmar’s internal focus are key reasons why the country’s struggles have not come to the forefront of global attention. Additionally, Myanmar has not been drawn into power struggles between major countries or their competing geopolitical interests, unlike the battle zones in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Taking Syria as an example, the country’s prolonged civil war illustrates the involvement of major powers. Rebel groups fighting to overthrow the dictator Bashar al-Assad have been supported by certain regional nations that endorse Islamist ideologies. Meanwhile, Assad’s government has received significant military assistance from Russia, prolonging the civil war for over a decade. Recently, shifting dynamics have allowed the extremist HTS (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) group to gain territorial advances. Initially linked to the terrorist group al-Qaeda, HTS has a history of receiving aid from similar factions, such as ISIS, which sought to establish an Islamic State.
Both Assad’s oppressive regime—marked by brutal crackdowns and massacres—and the Islamist armed groups engaging in violence and terrorism have contributed to Syria’s devastation. While neither side is blameless, the prolonged war reflects the struggle of a people forced to choose between oppressive authoritarianism and militant extremists.
As conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, and Syria continue to dominate international news and attention, Myanmar’s crisis remains perceived as an unresolved, long-term internal conflict.
While international focus on Myanmar’s situation is necessary, it is equally critical to ensure that the country does not become a proxy battleground for major powers. Avoiding exploitation by global geopolitical players requires Myanmar’s political leaders to remain vigilant and united in ending military dictatorship. Achieving this will demand a profound understanding of both domestic and international political landscapes and unwavering commitment to the nation’s future.