What's Happening in Myanmar

With Michael Haack, an activist and board member of Campaign for a New Myanmar. This week on episode 55 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the Karen National Liberation Army takes control of a Myawaddy scam compound, the military re-enters Mogok and Mongmit, Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko visits Nay Pyi Taw, and we talk about the Trump administration's many bombshells this week affecting the legal status of Myanmar people in the US. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me   Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:12) KNLA takes scam compound (04:30) Military 505(a) amnesty "for elections" (07:45) Military marches into Mogok & Mongmit (08:52) Belarus president visits Myanmar (10:56) With Michael Haack, the Trump administration's announcements (14:30) Revoking TPS (20:57) Retroactively vet and reassess status of Myanmar refugees from 2021 (26:03) Re-examining permanent residency green cards (36:01) Close   Our guests— Michael Haack, an activist and key organizer for passing the Burma Act in the United States How the BURMA Act passed congress What happened to the BURMA Act?    New original content on the Frontier website: 'I had never done this in my life': Poverty pushes many to beg in Rakhine   Further referenced this episode:  'A constant fear': Myanmar nationals face imprisonment back home as US ends protected status  

With Joseph Young, Daily Briefing newsletter writer for Frontier Myanmar. This week on episode 54 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the Karen National Liberation Army takes another border town, the Philippines announces its 2026 ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar, the military raids the Shwe Kokko scam compound, and we talk about China's influence on northern Shan State and what's behind the military's moves in Myawaddy. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me   Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:16) Election violence hits Yangon (03:21) New ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar (04:13) KNLA takes Maw Taung & military Magway rampage (06:22) With Joseph Young, the scam raids & updates (21:00) China's peace deals & Mogok (31:35) Close   Our guests— Joseph Young, Daily Briefing newsletter writer at Frontier Myanmar New original content on the Frontier website: Refugee plan out to sea: Bangladesh closes Rohingya island to new arrivals     

With Khin Hnin Phyu Soe, freelance journalist. This week on episode 53 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the US steps up its fight against scams in Southeast Asia as the regime continues its demolitions at KK Park, another Rohingya boat tragedy occurs, the military kills over 20 civilians in its attacks around the country, and we discuss the increase in underage girls marrying to avoid conscription. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me  Timecodes—   (00:00) Opening (00:59) U.S. anti-scam task force and KK park in limbo (04:30) Rohingya boat tragedy off Langkawi (05:52) Conflict updates and civilian deaths (09:05) With Khin Hnin Phyu Soe, underage marriage (14:05) Options for avoiding conscription (27:27) Close   Our guests—  Khin Hnin Phyu Soe, freelance journalist. Early to wed: Myanmar girls marry to avoid military service    New original content on the Frontier website: PR ploy: Junta scam centre raid changes little    Further referenced this episode:  Junta struggles to regain territory ahead of election push

With Laur Kiik, Burma studies researcher and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Oslo. This week on episode 52 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the military detains civilians for supposedly criticising its so-called elections, the fallout from demolitions at KK Park scam compound increases, and we discuss livelihoods at the Myitsone confluence in Kachin State—including the likelihood of the Myitsone dam hydropower project being resumed.   Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me   Timecodes—   (00:00) Opening (01:02) KK park demolition fallout (02:36) Military advances and Mogok in suspension (04:20) Detention of election "critics" (05:58) With Laur Kiik, Myitsone suspension (13:26) Myitsone villages (28:53) Gold mining at Myitsone (38:28) Close   Our guests—   Laur Kiik, Burma Studies researcher and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Oslo.   Rural resistance under a golden dictatorship, part 1: the Myitsone villages Rural resistance under a golden dictatorship, part 2: the suspended villages   New original content on the Frontier website:   'Living in fear of the sky': Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh battle environmental crisis   Further referenced this episode:   Hkyet Hting Nan: 'One day we will have a Kachin president'

With Aung Khant, coordinator of the Myanmar Freedom of Religion or Belief Network. This week on episode 51 of What's Happening in Myanmar, ASEAN dithers once again, the military's UEC announces more election updates, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army signs a ceasefire ceding Mogok and Mongmit to the military, and we discuss religious freedom in Myanmar since the 2021 coup. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me   Timecodes—  (00:00) Opening  (01:45) ASEAN summit leads nowhere (02:24) Election updates (06:11) Ta'ang National Liberation Army ceasefire (08:28) With Aung Khant, religious freedom in Myanmar (18:20) FoRB Network Myanmar's report (28:17) Religion in Myanmar, and ethnicity (33:18) Muslim suffering after Sagaing earthquake   Our guests— Aung Khant, Coordinator of the Myanmar Freedom of Religion or Belief Network New original content on the Frontier website: Early to wed: Myanmar girls marry to avoid military service Searching for solutions for the Rohingya   Further referenced this episode: After 29 years, RFA is on pause Freedom House Myanmar 2025 Myanmar's Generals Step into Politics as Newly Minted Civilians

With Hunter Marston, adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. This week on episode 50 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the UEC announces election campaigning restrictions, SpaceX cuts off Starlink for scammers, and we discuss the upcoming ASEAN summit scheduled for this weekend, U.S. and Chinese policy on Myanmar, and more. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m08s :: News round up, union members freed01m52s :: UEC restricts in-person election campaigning03m29s :: Scam raids, Starlink cut08m18s :: With Hunter Marson, China policy on Myanmar20m05s :: 47th ASEAN summit41m10s :: Close Our guests— Hunter Marston, adjunct fellow (non-resident), Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and adjunct fellow with La Trobe Asia. New original content on the Frontier website: 'The ending is already known': USDP gets head start on election campaign Further referenced this episode: Supporting Myanmar Beyond the 'ASEAN Way'

With Jacob Sims, visiting fellow at Harvard University's Asia Centre. This week on episode 49 of What's Happening in Myanmar, election campaign updates and voter list concerns, the military retakes Hsipaw and loses Nat Yay Kan, and we discuss human trafficking and the fallout of the scam crackdown from earlier this year. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m10s :: Election updates 04m07s :: Nat Yay Kan lost to AA 05m02s :: PDF prison breakout in Hakha 05m46s :: Hsipaw lost to the military 07m20s :: With Jacob Sims, TIP human trafficking report 18m55s :: Scams since the crackdown 23m48s :: Indictment of Chen Zhi 33m03s :: Income generation and substitution after the scams 40m05s :: Close   Our guests— Jacob Sims, visiting fellow at Harvard University's Asia Centre and expert on organised crime in Southeast Asia Two paths to the bottom: When states become sponsors of human trafficking New original content on the Frontier website: 'I don't know what comes next': US visa ban quashes Myanmar students' dreams Women in central Myanmar struggle with low wages Further referenced this episode: Myanmar scam cities booming despite crackdown – using Musk's Starlink

With Amaël Vier, election consultant and analyst, and Tharindu Abeyrathna, senior program officer for campaign and advocacy at the Asian Network for Free Elections. This week on episode 48 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the military massacres civilians at a Buddhist holiday commemoration, the Union Election Commission posts problematic voter lists, and we discuss the new ANFREL assessment report on the military's planned elections. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m00s :: Announcement of new CEO01m48s :: Thadingyut massacre03m31s :: Sagaing & KIA conflict updates04m27s :: Election news06m15s :: With Tharindu & Amaël, new ANFREL election report27m13s :: India as an election observer31m08s :: ASEAN's response to elections38m16s :: Close Our guests— Amaël Vier, election consultant and analyst Tharindu Abeyrathna, senior program officer for campaign and advocacy at the Asian Network for Free Elections New original content on the Frontier website: Working for peanuts: The precarious lives of women in central Myanmar'Nothing you can do': Spectre of starvation haunts Rakhine Frontier appoints new CEO, as founder bows out Further referenced this episode: ANFREL: Myanmar Junta's Planned Elections: Falling Short of Democratic Legitimacy

With Carlos Sardiña Galache, author and Frontier Myanmar digital editor. This week on episode 47 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the military retakes Kyaukme, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing returns from Central Asia as his air force kills dozens of civilians across the country, and we discuss this week's United Nations conference on the Rohingya along with Arakan Army leadership.  Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m06s :: News roundup04m05s :: With Carlos Sardiña Galache, the UN conference on the Rohingya09m53s :: The AA accuses the BGB of assisting Rohingya militants14m16s :: Twan Mrat Naing's interview30m30s :: The NUG and the Rohingya38m21s :: Close Our guests— Carlos Sardiña Galache, author and digital editor at Frontier Myanmar His book: The Burmese Labyrinth New original content on the Frontier website: UN says Myanmar military razed Rohingya villages in 'a systematic pattern'The cost of trade or Myanmar's economic struggle amid shortages and soaring prices Further referenced this episode: AA Chief Defends Rakhine Rebels Against Charges of Genocide'They don't represent us': Rohingya armed groups wreak havoc in RakhineUpdated Timeline: Myanmar Junta's Nuclear Ambitions

With Dustin Barter and Stella Naw, two co-authors of a new ODI report on humanitarianism and revolutionary state-building in Myanmar. This week on episode 46 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the resistance takes Banmauk, a Kachin Independence Army camp is hit with a precision airstrike, rights organisations react to Sweden ceasing development aid, and we discuss why international donors and humanitarian actors should engage with the new "pluralistic state" of Myanmar. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m19s :: News roundup 02m41s :: With Stella Naw & Dustin Barter, an aid rethink 16m21s :: The pluralistic state 25m54s :: Risk aversion and risk taking for aid 33m17s :: Recommendations for resistance 40m56s :: Close Our guests— Dustin Barter, Senior Research Fellow in the Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI Global Stella Naw, academic activist working on Indigenous and decolonial peacebuilding and governance practices And the reports under discussion: Making Myanmar: humanitarianism amid revolutionary state-building Sweden ends development aid to Myanmar, abandoning media and civil society Plus, new original content on the Frontier website: Viral justice: Social media and the court of public opinion The perils of abortion for Myanmar women Seeking solidarity for Myanmar in a cruel world

With Naing Min Khant, emerging researcher at the Institute for Strategy and Policy, Myanmar. This week on episode 45 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the military regime makes gains in Bhamo, the air force bombs and kills dozens of students at a high school, the Union Election Commission declares 56 townships will not be part of December's so-called elections, and we discuss the likelihood of change within the Myanmar military's leadership, as the fourth generation of officers eye off the top job. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m06s :: News roundup02m41s :: With Naing Min Khant, the military's leadership10m19s :: How does change happen15m22s :: Min Aung Hlaing's popularity in the military24m12s :: Anti-China sentiment  48m37s :: Close Our guests— Naing Min Khant, emerging researcher at ISP-Myanmar And the ISP-Myanmar report under discussion: ISP On Point No. 27: Prospective 4th Generation Tatmadaw: Payhways to Reform or Further Regression? Plus, new original content on the Frontier website: Q&A: 'Civilians should never be targeted' Doh Athan: Regime airstrike on school leaves trauma in its wake Tweet: This week on Frontier's podcast What's Happening in Myanmar, regime gains in Bhamo, air force bombs kill dozens of students sheltering in a high school in Kyauktaw Township, and ISP-Myanmar's Naing Min Khant talks about the prospects for the upcoming fourth generation of Myanmar military leadership.

With Michael Lidauer, an international elections expert with experience in Myanmar since 2010. This week on episode 44 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the Kayin State Border Guard Force declares its support for the military's elections, as its leaders and associates are sanctioned by the United States for facilitating the scam industry, and we discuss the technical aspects of the military running polls at the end of the year. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m34s :: News roundup03m01s :: With Michael Lidauer, the 2020 elections10m37s :: Military's planned 2025 elections14m54s :: The Union Election Commission19m41s :: Electoral system change to PR28m20s :: Political parties 39m02s :: Observers46m21s :: Close Our guests— Michael Lidauer, international elections expert New original content on the Frontier website: Q&A: 'Civilians should never be targeted' Doh Athan: Regime airstrike on school leaves trauma in its wake Further referenced this episode: Aiding Oppression or Saving Lives? The Dry Zone's Humanitarian Reckoning

With Nandar, member of the Generations Solidarity Coalition of Nationalities, and participant in the anti-sham elections campaign. This week on episode 43 of What's Happening in Myanmar, coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is in China, while at home his military continues its offensives killing civilians, revolutionaries try to prevent the region from accepting the legitimacy of the military's planned elections, and we discuss the Anti-Sham Election Campaign's aims and strategies. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 02m03s :: News roundup 05m16s :: With Nandar, the Anti-Sham Election Campaign 15m26s :: Legitimacy 28m11s :: Close Our guests— Nandar, from the Generations Solidarity Coalition Nationalities The Sham Election Campaign Linktree New original content on the Frontier website: The junta positions itself in the new world order Fear and voting in Myanmar: Junta election heralds more violence Further referenced this episode: Will the China–Myanmar meandering railway project get started soon? David Mathieson on the ANU's Myanmar Research Centre podcast in 2018

With Nicholas Coppel, former Australian ambassador to Myanmar and president of the Australia Myanmar Institute. This week on episode 42 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the military captures two mines from resistance forces, the historic Gokteik viaduct sustains major damage, and we discuss the consequences of the military's planned elections starting on December 28. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m31s :: Conflict updates 05m16s :: With Nicholas Copperl, the military elections 25m25s :: Is it all about Min Aung Hlaing? 33m43s :: The military's plans post-election 38m04s :: Close Our guests— Nicholas Coppel, former Australian ambassador to Myanmar from 2015 to 2018, honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne, and president of the Australia Myanmar Institute. His latest publication: Media weaponisation in Myanmar and the world's relative indifference to its crisis

With Stephen Campbell, associate professor in Social Sciences at Nanyang Technological University, and Joseph Young, Daily Briefing writer at Frontier Myanmar. This week on episode 41 of What's Happening in Myanmar, massive airstrikes occur around the country as the military continues offensives, and we discuss union members being sent to Insein prison, and the UWSA's declaration of non-assistance after admitting pressure from China. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 00m52s :: Union members sent to Insein02m55s :: With Stephen Campbell, the STUM and Myo Myo Aye 15m25s :: Economic agenda before the coup21m13s :: With Joseph Young, conflict and UWSA statement38m58s :: Close Our guests— Stephen Campbell, associate professor, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University And Joseph Young, daily briefing writer for Frontier Myanmar Other new content on the Frontier website: Back in business: Zahkung Ting Ying tries to rebuild his empire After the flood: Heavy rain hits hard on Kachin's border with China Shattered sanctuaries: Quake-damaged mosques fight for survival Check out the latest episode of Doh Athan, Frontier's podcast on human rights issues in Myanmar.

With Hka San Lwi, editor-in-chief of Kachin Waves. This week on What's Happening in Myanmar, major ethnic armed organisations make statements on peace and war, the military presses its advantage right across the country, and we discuss why the struggle for Bhamo remains the most consequential battle for the revolution going forward. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m18s :: News roundup 05m09s :: With Hka San Lwi, continuing fighting for Bhamo 27m52s :: Flash flooding in Laiza 28m35s :: Close Our guests— Hka San Lwi, editor-in-chief of Kachin Waves New content on the Frontier website: The price of control: War sinks Rakhine State's economy 'Unable to compete': Northern Shan faces wave of Chinese investment

With Emily Fishbein, freelance journalist currently serving as a Pulitzer Center Rainforest Investigations Network fellow, and Hpan Ja Brang, social justice activist and freelance journalist from Kachinland. This week on What's Happening in Myanmar, the TNLA pushed firmly on the defensive, the Arakan Army permits Starlink registrations in war-torn Rakhine State, and we discuss the KIA's resumption of rare earth mining around Pangwa. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m04s :: TNLA put on the defensive 02m26s :: Arakan Army allows Starlink 05m16s :: With Emily Fishbein and Hpan Ja Brang, the Pangwa mining pause 33m50s :: Holding the KIO to account 42m43s :: Close Our guests— Emily Fishbein, freelance journalist currently serving as a Pulitzer Center Rainforest Investigations Network fellow Hpan Ja Brang, social justice activist and freelance journalist from Kachinland Their feature story: 'Strategic bargaining chips': Kachin's rare earth mining pause Other new content on the Frontier website: 'Worse than ever': Inwa tourism in ruinsBribes, graft and kickbacks: Corruption with impunity

With Pai Deetes, Southeast Asia Program Regional Campaigns Director at International Rivers. This week on What's Happening in Myanmar, the military regime lifts the state of emergency and enacts new laws for elections, making coup leader Min Aung Hlaing the temporary acting president, and we discuss the transboundary water contamination from mines in Myanmar affecting northern Thailand. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 00m50s :: News round up 02m30s :: Military groundwork for elections 06m34s :: U.S. sanctions lifted and rare earth lobbying 09m23s :: With Pai Deetes, contamination of northern Thai rivers 32m22s :: Escalating the issue to regional fora 38m58s :: Close Our guest— Pai Deetes, the Southeast Asia Program Regional Campaigns Director at International Rivers New content on the Frontier website: https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/hitting-the-brakes-junta-cracks-down-on-unlicensed-vehicles/

With Dr Kid, communications officer of the Myanmar Defence and Security Institute. This week on What's Happening in Myanmar, the military takes back Thabeikkyin, while giving out rice and detaining suspects in Nawnghkio, and we discuss how soldiers who escape the army are working to expose the regime's weaknesses and defeat the military. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 01m04s :: Nawnghkio under military rule02m10s :: Thabeikkyin retaken 04m14s :: With Dr Kid, the Myanmar Defence and Security Institute13m04s :: Changes in military command structure33m42s :: Being a CDM soldier in 202541m56s :: Close Our guest— Dr Kid, communications officer of the MDSI Its reports on conscription and the air force command New content on the Frontier website: 'We are living in fear': Kidnappings menace Monywa True believers: The Myanmar-Americans who stand with Trump  

With Greg Constantine, documentary photographer. This week on What's Happening in Myanmar, the military marches into Nawnghkio, and we discuss the history and identity of the Rohingya community through the lens of the new Ek Khaale exhibition. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— 00m57s :: Nawnghkio taken by military03m06s :: With Greg Constantine, the Ek Khaale exhibition19m51s :: The Rohingya and history as a chain reaction37m20s :: Close Our guest— Greg Constantine, documentary photographer The exhibition online: EK KHAALE - Once Upon A Time - The Rohingya New content on the Frontier website: 'Ticking time bomb': Shoddy post-quake reconstruction puts more Myanmar lives at risk