Surveying public opinion in Burma

Griffith Asia Institute
Published
For years, decades even, professional Burma watchers, activists and other commentators have been making assessments about developments in Burma (Myanmar) on the basis of very little hard information. Government statistics could not be trusted, official spokesmen rarely gave away anything of value and the state-run press largely peddled propaganda. Reports generated outside Burma were often […]

Will Aung San Suu Kyi be president? Odds are lengthening

Griffith Asia Institute
Published
A year ago, a Lowy Institute panel was askedwhether Aung San Suu Kyi would become president of Burma(Myanmar). The question was also raisedon The Interpreter. The answer on both occasions was that such an outcome was far from certain. Powerful forces in Burma were working hard to prevent it. Few informed observers were optimistic about […]

Should Burma participate in UN peacekeeping?

Griffith Asia Institute
Published
A few months ago, several activist organisations expressed outrage at reports that the UN had invited Burma (Myanmar) to participate in peacekeeping operations (PKOs). The furore has since died down, but Naypyidaw’s critics are reasserting themselves in a number of ways and the question will doubtless arise again. With that in mind, it is helpful […]

GIFT backs Myanmar project

A temple with grey sky in background.
Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management
Published
The new Griffith Institute for Tourism’s commitment to international outreach activity has been underlined in its support for a volunteer role in Myanmar. GIFT is involved in the selection and mentoring of a young Australian volunteer for a 12-month role contributing to the development of responsible tourism in Myanmar. The volunteer will help build institutional […]

Is Burma really buying submarines?

Griffith Asia Institute
Published
For the past six months, there have been intermittent reports in the news media and on specialist websites stating that Burma (Myanmar) is developing a submarine capability. If this is true, it has important implications not only for Burma and the region, but also for the wider international community. Dr Andrew Selth, AdjunctAssociate Professor at […]

Myanmar becomes Burma, again

Griffith Asia Institute
Published
There has been no official announcement, but the Abbott Government seems to have decided to revert to Burma’s old name. In 2012, former Foreign Minister Bob Carr declared that Australia would join the overwhelming majority of countries, international organisations and regional institutions that publicly called Burma by its official name, the Union of Myanmar, which […]