\”Myanmar Spring Chronicle – May 11 Overview”,
published by MoeMaKa on May 12, 2025*:
How the World’s Major Powers Enable Mass Atrocities
As of now, over 2.2 million Palestinian civilians living in the Gaza Strip are facing famine and dire humanitarian conditions. For more than two months, Israel’s military blockade has prevented the entry of food, fuel, medicine, and clean water. Images and reports from television and online have shown widespread malnutrition and suffering—especially among children.
Thousands of children are already experiencing severe malnutrition, and even those who survive may endure lifelong consequences. In one BBC report, it was mentioned that some families are resorting to eating endangered sea turtles just to survive.
Western Hypocrisy and Silence
While some academics and politicians have sharply criticized Israel for weaponizing humanitarian access and placing civilian life at risk, countries like the U.S. and major Western democracies continue to provide Israel with weapons and financial aid—without even a word of condemnation. This has shocked and disillusioned many observers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has held office for over a decade, is overseeing these policies. Reading these headlines brings to mind Myanmar’s own military-imposed blockades in Rakhine State, which cut off food, fuel, and medical supplies.
This kind of siege isn’t new to Myanmar. In the eras of generals Ne Win, Saw Maung, Than Shwe, and Khin Nyunt, military operations were used to isolate and starve ethnic regions under the infamous “Four Cuts” strategy.
Gaza as Occupied Territory
While some see the Israel–Palestine conflict as a conventional war between two sides, others—especially political scientists—describe Palestine as a colonized and occupied territory.
They argue that Israel is enforcing a system of apartheid and domestic colonial control. Over the past two years alone, more than 50,000 civilians have been killed in Gaza due to Israeli airstrikes and ground operations, as well as a total blockade on humanitarian aid.
Despite this, the U.S. government—under Presidents Biden and now Trump—has continued to support Israel, even while American university students and civil society protest, labeling Biden “Genocide Joe” for his role in enabling these atrocities.
Europe’s Complicity
Other powerful Western states—like Germany, France, the U.K., and Italy—have similarly failed to condemn the actions of Netanyahu’s government. These countries have continued to send military and financial aid to Israel, leading to growing global criticism that they are complicit in mass atrocities.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently issued arrest warrants for two Israeli leaders, citing crimes against humanity and war crimes—a testament to how visible and documented these crimes have become.
And in Myanmar…
Meanwhile, in Myanmar, the military has been using similar tactics for decades:
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Isolating entire ethnic regions
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Cutting off access to essentials
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Using airstrikes to terrorize civilians
Today, the entire Rakhine State is effectively under siege. Like in Gaza, Myanmar’s airstrikes have become more destructive than in any prior era—with mass civilian deaths and displacement.
But unlike Israel, Myanmar rarely receives the same level of international coverage or condemnation. Only exceptionally violent cases like the Pazi Gyi massacre break through the international news cycle.
Why Myanmar Isn’t in the Headlines
The difference may lie in:
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The scale of the devastation
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The geopolitical interest (or lack thereof) in Myanmar
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The lack of strategic value compared to Ukraine or Gaza
Despite daily airstrikes and widespread blockades, Myanmar’s civil war remains on the sidelines of global media attention.
Who Arms Myanmar’s Junta?
If we ask where Myanmar’s military gets its planes and weapons, the answer is clear:
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Primarily from Russia
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Secondarily from China
Just as U.S. support enables Israel’s bombings, Russian and Chinese arms allow the junta to maintain daily aerial assaults on its own people.
The Larger Picture
While Gaza faces starvation due to Israel’s blockade, many civilians in Sittwe and other towns in Myanmar are also struggling—trapped without means to relocate, facing soaring prices, and economic collapse due to junta restrictions.
This comparison shows us a painful truth: both Palestine and Myanmar suffer, but international attention and support are wildly unequal.
Conclusion
In today’s world, superpowers prioritize self-interest over human rights. They talk about democracy, justice, and equality, but apply double standards when it comes to their strategic or economic allies.
For Myanmar, this means we cannot rely on external powers to solve our crisis. Our struggle—for federalism, equality, and justice—must be fought and won with our own strength, vision, and unity.
That is the reality we must accept—and act upon.