In this week's episode of The Irrawaddy Newscast we cover a new report on the United Nations’ failure to contain the Myanmar military. And despite being critical of the regime, Indonesian companies may have been selling weapons to the military. Plus, doctors in Chin State help where they can. As always, we have a rundown of this week’s headlines and the latest news from the ‘War Against the Junta.’ // Show Notes: // Contact the show: justin.higginbottom@irrawaddy.org // Help The Irrawaddy report the truth from Myanmar bit.ly/3btQYpR /// SAC-M Report: How the UN Is Failing Myanmar https://specialadvisorycouncil.org/2023/10/sac-m-report-un-failing-myanmar/ // Myanmar Accountability Project https://the-world-is-watching.org/ // Stories mentioned in this episode: // Junta Boss Issues Warning as Corruption Scandal Engulfs Myanmar Regime https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/junta-boss-issues-warning-as-corruption-scandal-engulfs-myanmar-regime.html // Myanmar Coup Leader Fires Two Members of Junta’s Highest Body for Corruption https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/analysis/myanmar-coup-leader-fires-two-members-of-juntas-highest-body-for-corruption.html // Notorious Deputy Commerce Minister Purged in Myanmar Junta Price Probe https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/notorious-deputy-commerce-minister-purged-in-myanmar-junta-price-probe.html // Junta Makes Second Grab at ‘Empty’ Wallets of Myanmar Migrant Workers https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/junta-makes-second-grab-at-empty-wallets-of-myanmar-migrant-workers.html // Myanmar Political Prisoner, 21, Dies of Heart Attack in Yangon’s Insein Prison https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-political-prisoner-21-dies-of-heart-attack-in-yangons-insein-prison.html // Myanmar Junta Massacres Sagaing Resistance Fighters https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-massacres-sagaing-resistance-fighters.html // Myanmar Resistance Groups Occupy Military Intelligence Office in Jade Hub https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmar-resistance-groups-occupy-military-intelligence-office-in-jade-hub.html // Myanmar Junta Ramped Up Mass Killings, Air Strikes in Past Year: UN https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/myanmar-junta-ramped-up-mass-killings-air-strikes-in-past-year-un.html // Resistance Forces Seize Myanmar Junta Outpost in Mandalay’s Mogoke https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/resistance-forces-seize-myanmar-junta-outpost-in-mandalays-mogoke.html // Five Myanmar Junta Soldiers Killed in Bank Ambush: Ye Urban Guerrillas https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/five-myanmar-junta-soldiers-killed-in-bank-ambush-ye-urban-guerrillas.html // Central Myanmar sees 324 Percent Increase in Air Strikes: UN https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/central-myanmar-sees-324-percent-increase-in-air-strikes-un.html // Myanmar Junta Shelling Injures At Least 19 Children https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-shelling-injures-at-least-19-children.html

In this week's episode of The Irrawaddy Newscast we cover a new report on the regime’s loss of territory in southeastern Myanmar. And fighting is raging in Kachin State. We hear why the military has decided to attack. Plus, we have a story about the destruction of religious buildings in this conflict, a rundown of this week’s headlines and the latest news from the ‘War Against the Junta.’ // Show Notes: // Contact the show: justin.higginbottom@irrawaddy.org // Help The Irrawaddy report the truth from Myanmar bit.ly/3btQYpR // Karen Peace Support Network: A Shifting Power Balance https://www.karenpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Shifting-Power-Balance-Eng-Sept-2023.pdf // Kachinland Research Centre https://kachinlandrc.org/ // Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) https://aappb.org/ // Stories mentioned in this episode: // Junta Boss Issues Warning as Corruption Scandal Engulfs Myanmar Regime https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/junta-boss-issues-warning-as-corruption-scandal-engulfs-myanmar-regime.html // Myanmar Coup Leader Fires Two Members of Junta’s Highest Body for Corruption https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/analysis/myanmar-coup-leader-fires-two-members-of-juntas-highest-body-for-corruption.html // Notorious Deputy Commerce Minister Purged in Myanmar Junta Price Probe https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/notorious-deputy-commerce-minister-purged-in-myanmar-junta-price-probe.html // Junta Makes Second Grab at ‘Empty’ Wallets of Myanmar Migrant Workers https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/junta-makes-second-grab-at-empty-wallets-of-myanmar-migrant-workers.html // Myanmar Political Prisoner, 21, Dies of Heart Attack in Yangon’s Insein Prison https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-political-prisoner-21-dies-of-heart-attack-in-yangons-insein-prison.html // Myanmar Junta Massacres Sagaing Resistance Fighters https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-massacres-sagaing-resistance-fighters.html // Myanmar Resistance Groups Occupy Military Intelligence Office in Jade Hub https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmar-resistance-groups-occupy-military-intelligence-office-in-jade-hub.html // Myanmar Junta Ramped Up Mass Killings, Air Strikes in Past Year: UN https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/myanmar-junta-ramped-up-mass-killings-air-strikes-in-past-year-un.html // Resistance Forces Seize Myanmar Junta Outpost in Mandalay’s Mogoke https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/resistance-forces-seize-myanmar-junta-outpost-in-mandalays-mogoke.html // Five Myanmar Junta Soldiers Killed in Bank Ambush: Ye Urban Guerrillas https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/five-myanmar-junta-soldiers-killed-in-bank-ambush-ye-urban-guerrillas.html // Central Myanmar sees 324 Percent Increase in Air Strikes: UN https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/central-myanmar-sees-324-percent-increase-in-air-strikes-un.html // Myanmar Junta Shelling Injures At Least 19 Children https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-shelling-injures-at-least-19-children.html

In this week's episode of The Irrawaddy Newscast we hear about the junta’s efforts to curb inflation. And posts on pro-regime Telegram channels can be a death sentence. We speak to a digital-rights researcher about the risks. Plus, we have an interview about China and India’s investment in Rakhine State, speak to a poet from Myanmar about her art and have our usual rundown of this week’s headlines and the latest news from the ‘War Against the Junta.’ // Show Notes: // Contact the show: justin.higginbottom@irrawaddy.org // Help The Irrawaddy report the truth from Myanmar bit.ly/3btQYpR // Footsteps of China and India on Arakan in Post-Coup Myanmar https://arakanstudies.org/ibr/23/01/ibr_01_23.html // Resist Myanmar’s digital coup: International community must dismantle military dictatorship — or reap repercussions https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/myanmar-coup-two-years-statement/ // Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) https://aappb.org/ // Stories mentioned in this episode: // Myanmar’s NUG Selling Off Military Land in Famous Hill Resort https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmars-nug-selling-off-military-land-in-famous-hill-resort.html // Naypyitaw Junta Airbase Hit by Myanmar Resistance Drone Strike https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/naypyitaw-junta-airbase-hit-by-myanmar-resistance-drone-strike.html // Myanmar Military Launches Major Operation to Recapture Outpost from KIA https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-military-launches-major-operation-to-recapture-outpost-from-kia.html // Myanmar Junta Tightens Noose on ‘Kick-Back King’ https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/myanmar-junta-tightens-noose-on-kick-back-king.html // Dozens Missing After Myanmar Junta Supply Boat Sinks in Sagaing https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/dozens-missing-after-myanmar-junta-supply-boat-sinks-in-sagaing.html // Junta Shutters Myanmar Currency Exchanges in ‘Futile’ Bid to Prop Up Economy https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/junta-shutters-myanmar-currency-exchanges-in-futile-bid-to-prop-up-economy.html // Myanmar Junta Continues Tightening the Screws on Its Economic Team https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/myanmar-junta-continues-tightening-the-screws-on-its-economic-team.html // Myanmar Junta Strips General of Key Posts Amid Corruption Probe https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-strips-general-of-key-posts-amid-corruption-probe.html // Myanmar Turns to China for Census and Surveillance Assistance https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/myanmar-turns-to-china-for-census-and-surveillance-assistance.html // KIA Seizes Myanmar Junta Base https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/kia-seizes-myanmar-junta-base.html // Myanmar Junta Arms Militias in Bago as Resistance Threatens Naypyitaw https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-arms-militias-in-bago-as-resistance-threatens-naypyitaw.html // Myanmar Civilian Government’s UN Ambassador Retains Seat https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/myanmar-civilian-governments-un-ambassador-retains-seat.html

In this week's episode of The Irrawaddy Newscast we hear about the expansion of BRICS and whether the junta has any hope of joining. Also, it’s been two years since the civilian National Unity Government declared an armed uprising against the regime. We get a battlefield update. And we speak to a labor organizer about why she thinks it’s time for brands to leave the country. Plus, a rundown of this week’s headlines and the latest news from the ‘War Against the Junta.’ // Show Notes: // Contact the show: justin.higginbottom@irrawaddy.org // Help The Irrawaddy report the truth from Myanmar bit.ly/3btQYpR // https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/briefings/falling-out-of-fashion-garment-worker-abuse-under-military-rule-in-myanmar/ // https://khaingzaraung.com/about/ // Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) https://aappb.org/ // Stories mentioned in this episode: // Myanmar Junta’s ‘Kickback King’ in Spotlight of Corruption Crackdown https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-juntas-kickback-king-in-spotlight-of-corruption-crackdown.html // Heavy Fighting With Myanmar Junta Reported in Kachin State https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/heavy-fighting-with-myanmar-junta-reported-in-kachin-state.html // Over 50 Political Prisoners on Hunger Strike at Notorious Myanmar Jail https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/over-50-political-prisoners-on-hunger-strike-at-notorious-myanmar-jail.html // Crimes Against Humanity Are Getting More ‘Brazen’ in Myanmar, UN Told https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/crimes-against-humanity-are-getting-more-brazen-in-myanmar-un-told.html // Cash-Starved Junta Milks Myanmar Migrant Workers With New Remittance Rule https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/cash-starved-junta-milks-myanmar-migrant-workers-with-new-remittance-rule.html // Myanmar Junta Loses 76 Soldiers as PDF Kicks Off Special Operation in Mandalay, Shan https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmar-junta-loses-76-soldiers-as-pdf-kicks-off-special-operation-in-mandalay-shan.html // Hunger Strike in Myanmar Ends After Dissidents Refuse to ‘Kneel’ https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/politics/hunger-strike-in-myanmar-ends-after-dissidents-refuse-to-kneel.html // Incursion by 100 Myanmar Soldiers Violated Thai Sovereignty: MP https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/politics/incursion-by-100-myanmar-soldiers-violated-thai-sovereignty-mp.html // General Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Placed Under House Arrest, Interrogated for Corruption https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/general-close-to-myanmar-junta-boss-placed-under-house-arrest-interrogated-for-corruption.html // Crony Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Arrested as Commodity Prices Soar https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/crony-close-to-myanmar-junta-boss-arrested-as-commodity-prices-soar.html

In this week's episode of The Irrawaddy Newscast we check in on the 43rd ASEAN Summit. We also hear about the Ta’ang National Liberation Army's expansion since the coup. And poets have been killed, jailed and censored in Myanmar since the junta took power. We hear one artist's recent work. Plus, a rundown of this week’s headlines and the latest news from the ‘War Against the Junta.’ // Show Notes: // Contact the show: justin.higginbottom@irrawaddy.org // Help The Irrawaddy report the truth from Myanmar bit.ly/3btQYpR // Photo: Homemade bombs for use by drones in Chin State in July. // Treading a Rocky Path: The Ta’ang Army Expands in Myanmar’s Shan State https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/b177-treading-rocky-path-taang-army-expands-myanmars-shan-state // Poet Ko Ko Thett https://www.kokothett.com/ // Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) https://aappb.org/ // Music used in this episode: UNIVERSFIELD - Evil Spirits Gregor Quendel - Aleatoric Piano // Stories mentioned in this episode: // Number of Civilians Killed by Myanmar Junta Since Coup Surpasses 4,000 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/conflicts-in-numbers/number-of-civilians-killed-by-myanmar-junta-since-coup-surpasses-4000.html // ‘ASEAN Emboldening War Criminals’ With Meeting of Air Force Chiefs in Myanmar https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/asean-emboldening-war-criminals-with-meeting-of-air-force-chiefs-in-myanmar.html // ASEAN Continues to Engage Myanmar Junta at Ministerial Level https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/asean-continues-to-engage-myanmar-junta-at-ministerial-level.html // Flee or Die: Junta Troops Drive Out 25,000 Civilians in Myanmar’s Sagaing https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/flee-or-die-junta-troops-drive-out-25000-civilians-in-myanmars-sagaing.html // Resistance Drone Group Tells Myanmar Junta Staff in Karen State to Quit https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/resistance-drone-group-tells-myanmar-junta-staff-in-karen-state-to-quit.html // China, Thailand and India Hold Talks With Myanmar Junta https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/china-thailand-and-india-hold-talks-with-myanmar-junta.html // Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Unwell, Back in Prison: NLD Members https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmars-suu-kyi-unwell-back-in-prison-nld-members.html // Myanmar Junta Jails Journalist for 20 Years Over Cyclone Coverage https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-jails-journalist-for-20-years-over-cyclone-coverage.html // No Election Likely Before 2025: Myanmar Junta Chief https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/politics/no-election-likely-before-2025-myanmar-junta-chief.html // Block on Medical Care for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Sparks UN Concern https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/block-on-medical-care-for-daw-aung-san-suu-kyi-sparks-un-concern.html // Southeast Asian Air Force Chiefs to Snub Myanmar Meeting https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/southeast-asian-air-force-chiefs-to-snub-myanmar-meeting.html

In this week's episode of The Irrawaddy Newscast we have an update on Thai politics and what that means for the country’s relationship with Myanmar’s junta. Also, regime officials say the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor is back on track. And ethnic violence continues in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. Some have blamed that fighting on groups in neighboring Myanmar. Plus, a rundown of this week’s headlines and the latest news from the ‘War Against the Junta.’ // Show Notes: // Contact the show: justin.higginbottom@irrawaddy.org // Help The Irrawaddy report the truth from Myanmar bit.ly/3btQYpR // Photo: Chinland Defense Forces in Thantlang, Chin State, in July. // Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) https://aappb.org/ // Stories mentioned in this episode: // China to Reinforce Myanmar Expansion with Free-Trade Zones on Border https://www.irrawaddy.com/specials/myanmar-china-watch/china-to-reinforce-myanmar-expansion-with-free-trade-zones-on-border.html // TNLA Reports Heavy Fighting Near Myanmar-China Border https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/tnla-reports-heavy-fighting-near-myanmar-china-border.html // Myanmar Military Column is on a Homicidal Rampage in Southeastern Sagaing https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-military-column-is-on-a-homicidal-rampage-in-southeastern-sagaing.html // Over 10,000 Civilians Flee Myanmar Junta Shelling in Western Sagaing https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/over-10000-civilians-flee-myanmar-junta-shelling-in-western-sagaing.html // Myanmar Expels top East Timor Diplomat https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/myanmar-expels-top-east-timor-diplomat.html // Myanmar Junta Makes Mass Arrest of ‘Human Shields’ in Kachin State https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-makes-mass-arrest-of-human-shields-in-kachin-state.html // Chin Forces Fail to Retake Strategic Mountain Bases From Myanmar Military https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/chin-forces-fail-to-retake-strategic-mountain-bases-from-myanmar-military.html // Price Controls Trigger Turmoil in Myanmar’s Rice Market https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/price-controls-trigger-turmoil-in-myanmars-rice-market.html // Junta Arrests Chiefs of Myanmar Edible-Oil Industry as Prices Soar https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/junta-arrests-chiefs-of-myanmar-edible-oil-industry-as-prices-soar.html // As Dollars Vanish, Myanmar Regime Boss Blames Cooking Oil, Greed and Sanctions https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/as-dollars-vanish-myanmar-regime-boss-blames-cooking-oil-greed-and-sanctions.html // Yangon Food Charities Swamped as Hunger Stalks Myanmar https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/yangon-food-charities-swamped-as-hunger-stalks-myanmar.html // Myanmar Junta Rallies Support to Defend Capital as Resistance Gets Closer https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-rallies-support-to-defend-capital-as-resistance-gets-closer.html

In this week's episode of The Irrawaddy Newscast we speak to economist Sean Turnell about Myanmar’s economy. We also hear from the author of a recent report documenting abuse in the garment industry since the coup. And we have an audio postcard from Chinland Defense Force territory in Hakha Township. Plus, a rundown of this week’s headlines and the latest news from the ‘War Against the Junta.’ // Show Notes: // Contact the show: justin.higginbottom@irrawaddy.org // Help The Irrawaddy report the truth from Myanmar bit.ly/3btQYpR // Falling out of fashion: Garment worker abuse under military rule in Myanmar https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/briefings/falling-out-of-fashion-garment-worker-abuse-under-military-rule-in-myanmar/ // Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) https://aappb.org/ // Stories mentioned in this episode: // H&M’s Forced Exit Leaves 42,000 Myanmar Workers Asking How They Will Eat https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/hms-forced-exit-leaves-42000-myanmar-workers-asking-how-they-will-eat.html // Myanmar Junta’s Central Bank Had $6.8 Bn in Reserves at 14 Int’l Banks in March https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/myanmar-juntas-central-bank-had-6-8-bn-in-reserves-at-14-intl-banks-in-march.html // Several Resistance Attacks Reported Near Myanmar Regime’s Nerve Center https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/several-resistance-attacks-reported-near-myanmar-regimes-nerve-center.html // Swiss Director, Amateur Actors Arrested for Blasphemy by Myanmar Junta https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/swiss-director-amateur-actors-arrested-for-blasphemy-by-myanmar-junta.html // TNLA Reports Heavy Fighting With Myanmar Junta https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/tnla-reports-heavy-fighting-with-myanmar-junta.html // Myanmar Junta to Form Task Force to Tackle Soaring Exchange Rates, Gold Prices https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/myanmar-junta-to-form-task-force-to-tackle-soaring-exchange-rates-gold-prices.html // China Pouring in Billions to Prop Up Myanmar’s Military Regime https://www.irrawaddy.com/specials/myanmar-china-watch/china-pouring-in-billions-to-prop-up-myanmars-military-regime.html // Myanmar Will Get Sicker—Junta Shuts Another Hospital in Mandalay https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-will-get-sicker-junta-shuts-another-hospital-in-mandalay.html // Myanmar Junta on Retreat in Magwe: Resistance https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-on-retreat-in-magwe-resistance.html // Buddhist Monks Condemn Myanmar Junta for Arrests Over ‘Blasphemous’ Movie https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/buddhist-monks-condemn-myanmar-junta-for-arrests-over-blasphemous-movie.html // Generals Prepare to Target Cause of Myanmar’s Currency Crisis—‘Disloyal Banks’ https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/generals-prepare-to-target-cause-of-myanmars-currency-crisis-disloyal-banks.html // US Fires up Sanctions on Myanmar Junta: Targets Jet-Fuel Suppliers https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/us-fires-up-sanctions-on-myanmar-junta-targets-jet-fuel-suppliers.html // More Bodies Found in Fields After Junta Forces Raid Villages in Myanmar https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/more-bodies-found-in-fields-after-junta-forces-raid-villages-in-myanmar.html // More Children Hit From the Sky as Myanmar’s Military Intensifies Airstrikes in Kayah State https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/more-children-hit-from-the-sky-as-myanmars-military-intensifies-airstrikes-in-kayah-state.html