Insight Myanmar

Insight Myanmar
  • 0.0 (0)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Insight Myanmar Podcast

Insight Myanmar is a beacon for those seeking to understand the intricate dynamics of Myanmar. With a commitment to uncovering truth and fostering understanding, the podcast brings together activists, artists, leaders, monastics, and authors to share their first-hand experiences and insights. Each episode delves deep into the struggles, hopes, and resilience of the Burmese people, offering listeners a comprehensive, on-the-ground perspective of the nation's quest for democracy and freedom. And yet, Insight Myanmar is not just a platform for political discourse; it's a sanctuary for spiritual exploration. Our discussions intertwine the struggles for democracy with the deep-rooted meditation traditions of Myanmar, offering a holistic understanding of the nation. We delve into the rich spiritual heritage of the country, tracing the origins of global meditation and mindfulness movements to their roots in Burmese culture. Each episode is a journey through the vibrant landscape of Myanmar's quest for freedom, resilience, and spiritual riches. Join us on this enlightening journey as we amplify the voices that matter most in Myanmar's transformative era.

  1. 12 HR AGO

    Monkey in the Middle

    Episode #271: During the anti-military protests of 1988, the man known as Monkey was just an observer. A friend asked him, “Are you a man? If you are a man, why do you just sit and look?” However, over the next 9 years, Monkey had the misfortunate of becoming more personally acquainted with the terror of the Tatmadaw, which regularly brought death and destruction to his community in Karenni state. When he reached his breaking point, he joined a Karenni resistance group, but he found that he was still looking for something more. His prayers found an answer in 1997, when he came into contact with David Eubank, the American missionary who founded the Free Burma Rangers (FBR). Monkey took advantage of their tutorials in basic medical aid as well as photojournalism. While their mobile medical clinic provided relief, Monkey conducted interviews and filmed footage to document the Tatmadaw's ongoing atrocities.  Monkey eventually became an FBR trainer both in Myanmar and abroad. Although the Christian faith animates much of the work that Monkey and the wider FBR team do, they do not limit their service to Christian communities. Since the coup, Monkey and the FBR team have more than had their hands full in training the many Burmese youths who have flocked to their camps. Monkey is primarily charged with teaching them photojournalism. “We want the world to know what is happening in Burma,” he explains. As bad as the current times are, Monkey sees an opportunity for a degree of unity and solidarity that he has never before witnessed in his country. Still, he has seen too much to naively assume that disparate groups banding together could be enough to stand up against the Burmese military’s cruelty and inhumanity that knows no bounds. This is largely why he is so focused on raising awareness through photojournalism, so that the story of what is really happening in Myanmar gets out.

    1h 1m

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Revolutionizing Relief

    Episode #270: Adelina Kamal, who makes her second appearance on the podcast, guides listeners through an enlightening journey into the complex and often fraught world of humanitarian aid and crisis management. With nearly three decades of experience within the ASEAN system, Adelina brings to the table a wealth of knowledge about the political and operational nuances of delivering humanitarian aid in regions like Myanmar, where the crisis is as political as it is humanitarian. Her conversation delves into the ethical and operational challenges of working with or around military juntas and the implications for neutrality and independence in humanitarian work. Adelina introduces the concept of ‘humanitarian resistance,’ where local actors, often labeled as non-neutral by international standards, provide critical aid and support within their communities despite the political risks. She argues passionately for a more localized approach to humanitarian aid, emphasizing the importance of supporting these ground-level efforts over top-down international interventions. And she critiques the traditional, West-centric humanitarian system, calling for a more equitable and effective ‘horizontal ecosystem’ that respects and empowers local communities. “To me, the Western governments’ support to the Myanmar people is more of a token, because after all, aid is a political tool,” she says. “At the end of the day, it's about political will."

    2h 20m

  3. 20 SEPT

    Why Did Ashin Sarana Disrobe?

    Episode #269: Jansen Stovicek reflects on the emotional and practical challenges surrounding his decision to disrobe after 16 years as a monk. Initially, the idea of disrobing felt unimaginable, as his identity had been deeply intertwined with monastic life and strictly following the 90 billion-plus rules of the Vinaya. But after disrobing, Jansen encountered difficulty securing a place to stay as a monk, adding stress and uncertainty to his situation. His decision to disrobe was met with mixed acceptance by his community’ of followers.   Ultimately, Jansen’s story is one of personal transformation and reflection. His candid insights shed light on the complexities of leaving monastic life and the broader implications it has on identity, social standing, and community relationships.   He ends his reflections by expressing deep gratitude for his time in Myanmar. He emphasizes his continued support for the National Unity Government (NUG) and the democratic movement in Myanmar, wishing for the country's swift liberation from the military regime's oppression. “I am absolutely, eternally indebted to, to Myanmar, to Myanmar people, to Myanmar Buddhism, to the great masters of Myanmar. Very, very thankful to them!” Jansen exclaims. “I admit that I believe that the only country in the world where Buddhism is truly thriving, is Myanmar, believe it or not, despite, of course, the political unrest. And I definitely would like to encourage everyone to support the democratic movement, to support the NUG in Myanmar, because [they] support reason and they support freedom, and Buddhism is reason and Buddhism is freedom.”

    2h 2m

  4. 17 SEPT

    The Art of War

    Episode #268: In a discussion emblematic of the complexities inherent in international diplomacy, Scot Marciel, former U.S. Ambassador to Myanmar, elucidates the multifaceted challenges of addressing the crisis there. Marcel’s thinking, informed by his extensive diplomatic service, highlights a pervasive hesitancy among international actors to engage decisively with the Myanmar military, largely deemed an untrustworthy entity, yet also to put their eggs in the NUG/resistance basket.   Marciel highlights the deep-rooted issues stemming from the military's unyielding grip on power and its demonstrated propensity for reneging on agreements, as evidenced by the 2021 coup. The military’s overthrow of a democratically-elected government starkly illuminates their unwillingness to cede control, thus undermining any prospect of meaningful dialogue or compromise.   Marciel also explains what he believes is the ideal role for the international community to play: a supportive yet non-intrusive stance that facilitates dialogue among Myanmar's diverse actors without dictating outcomes, and respecting the country's sovereignty while providing essential resources and expertise.   Marciel's reflections on the Rohingya crisis reveals the diplomatic result of that terrible time; namely, an international mistrust of both the military and civilian government, in the latter case, a sense of being let down. Fast forward to 2024, and today, the international community's response, though well-intentioned, often falls short due to limited understanding and engagement, highlighting the need for a more nuanced and sustained approach to diplomacy and support in Myanmar. “I do think the solution is for the military to be forced to relinquish political power, and to me, that means for the international community to put maximum pressure on that military, [doing] nothing to confer legitimacy on it,” Marciel says in closing. “At the same time, of course, you also have to figure out what comes next… but to me, the answer is, rather than to be paralyzed by the risks, what can the international community to do now to help the various various elements of the resistance, the Civil Disobedience Movement, civil society, other political actors, and prepare for some kind of transition process?”

    1h 41m

  5. 13 SEPT

    Bonus Content: An Interview with The Bangkok Podcast

    We were honored to join our friends at The Bangkok Podcast to discuss the origins of our platform and how we've navigated the challenges of hosting discussions in the post-coup environment. We are sharing an interview that occurred on their feed earlier in the year.

    37 min

  6. 10 SEPT

    Navigating a Mine Field

    Episode #267: Yèshua Moser-Puangsuwan discusses the profound impact of landmines in Myanmar with an equal mix of empathy and depth. He vividly describes how retreating soldiers have planted landmines indiscriminately in both military and civilian areas, leading to devastating consequences. His meticulous investigations reveal the Myanmar military's systematic and large-scale use of landmines, which he categorizes as war crimes due to their indiscriminate nature. Yet he is unsparing of resistance groups in his exposé as well. His extensive fieldwork and research have shown that landmines often harm civilians long after conflicts have ended.   Yèshua's work with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, involves meticulous documentation and advocacy. He emphasizes that landmines are a suicidal policy for any armed group, as they primarily end up harming their own communities. The challenge of attributing specific landmine incidents to either the military or ethnic groups complicates efforts to address the crisis, but Yèshua remains steadfast in his commitment to transparency and thorough documentation.   A crucial aspect of Yèshua's resilience and clarity in addressing these issues comes from his dedicated vipassana meditation practice. He spends about a month each year in intensive meditation. He says that his practice helps him process the immense suffering he witnesses and experiences, allowing him to maintain a compassionate and balanced perspective. “The development of compassion by seeing deeply into your own experience, which is the human experience, leads to very deep compassion for the suffering of others. And for any real social change to occur, I think it has to come out of that space of acknowledging our shared human predicament of suffering and [developing] compassion for that,” he says. “If I didn't do the meditation practice, I probably would have burned out as an activist a long time ago! Also, I don't use anger as my motivation. Anger burns up its own supports, and a lot of activists run on anger, and they can only run for so long. Most of the people who were activists when I first became an activist, are no longer activists. They burned out long time ago. Compassion is what keeps me doing my activism.”

    1h 47m

  7. 6 SEPT

    Namaste to Nowhere

    Episode #266: We are joined by Kimi Colney and Makepeace Sitlhou, journalists covering the humanitarian crisis and ethnic conflicts along the Indo-Myanmar border in India’s northeastern states. They discuss the complex dynamics of this region, characterized by its diversity in ethnicity, language, and religion, and its physical and psychological isolation from the rest of India. Kimi and Makepeace highlight how this area, often overlooked by India's central government, faces significant challenges in managing the influx of refugees fleeing the military junta's violence in Myanmar. Mizoram, one of the states in Northeast India, has shown solidarity with these refugees, despite the central government's orders to push them back. This support stems from a shared ethnic and cultural kinship between the local population and the refugees. However, the state's limited resources and the growing strain on local communities make the situation increasingly unsustainable. In contrast, Manipur has been less welcoming, largely due to the political influence of the BJP, the ruling party in India. The state has seen tensions between local communities, particularly the Hindu Meitei majority and the Kuki-Zo tribes, which has been exacerbated by the influx of refugees. The conversation also touches on the broader geopolitical implications, in particular, India’s diplomatic ties with Myanmar's military junta. The two journalists emphasize the need for better awareness and understanding of the region's complexities both within India and internationally. They call for more comprehensive and nuanced coverage of the crisis, which is often ignored or oversimplified in the media. “There is a gap that has to be bridged, both on the Indian and Myanmar side as well,” says Makepeace, and Kimi adds, “It's hard to see a bright future,” to the hope of any peaceful harmony coming soon to the region.

    1h 8m

  8. 3 SEPT

    Reading the Tea Leaves

    Episode #265: Marc Batac's story is one of profound political transformation, reflecting the broader struggles of Southeast Asia. Born in the eastern regions of the Philippines, Marc's early exposure to socioeconomic struggle, and the dysfunctionality of governance and political patronage in his homeland, shaped his worldview and set him on a course of activism. In 2017, Marc played a pivotal role in helping organize a regional youth meeting that laid the groundwork for the Milk Tea Alliance (MTA), a transnational movement advocating for democracy and human rights. The Alliance, born out of a shared experience of state violence and repression, became a platform for young activists to connect, share strategies, and support each other's struggles.  After the 2021 coup in Myanmar, Marc recognized the urgency of the situation, and mobilized networks to provide immediate support to Burmese activists and the broader resistance movement. Through the MTA, he facilitated the sharing of resources, including financial aid and digital tools, to help activists on the ground organize protests and evade military crackdowns. The MTA also played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of Myanmar's pro-democracy movement on the international stage, using social media campaigns and digital activism to draw global attention to the atrocities committed by the junta. Marc and his peers worked tirelessly to coordinate efforts across borders, ensuring that the solidarity and support for Myanmar extended beyond mere words. This collective action not only sustained the momentum of the resistance but also strengthened the transnational ties that are vital for the long-term success of the pro-democracy movements in the region. “If we are not in intentional in defining what the Milk Tea Alliance stands for, then other forces will define it for us. They are already doing that, in the early days and up until now,” he says. “We are simply nodes in our movements. The hashtag in this name and the symbolisms will be gone and will be forgotten at some point. But what will remain would be the relationships that have deepened, that are anchored in an analysis of the concrete link between our material experiences, our pain, and our struggles, and our our aspirations as well, that have existed before the hashtag, and therefore will continue to exist after the hashtag.”

    1h 53m
See All (279)

About

Insight Myanmar is a beacon for those seeking to understand the intricate dynamics of Myanmar. With a commitment to uncovering truth and fostering understanding, the podcast brings together activists, artists, leaders, monastics, and authors to share their first-hand experiences and insights. Each episode delves deep into the struggles, hopes, and resilience of the Burmese people, offering listeners a comprehensive, on-the-ground perspective of the nation's quest for democracy and freedom. And yet, Insight Myanmar is not just a platform for political discourse; it's a sanctuary for spiritual exploration. Our discussions intertwine the struggles for democracy with the deep-rooted meditation traditions of Myanmar, offering a holistic understanding of the nation. We delve into the rich spiritual heritage of the country, tracing the origins of global meditation and mindfulness movements to their roots in Burmese culture. Each episode is a journey through the vibrant landscape of Myanmar's quest for freedom, resilience, and spiritual riches. Join us on this enlightening journey as we amplify the voices that matter most in Myanmar's transformative era.

Information

  • Channel
    Insight Myanmar
  • Creator
    Insight Myanmar Podcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    279
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Insight Myanmar Podcast
  • Show Website
    Insight Myanmar

More From Insight Myanmar

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada