What's Happening in Myanmar

Frontier Myanmar
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  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join journalists and experts discussing the biggest Myanmar news stories in this weekly show from the Frontier Myanmar podcast family. Reliable. Concise. Informative.

  1. FEB 7

    Union Advisory Council Announced

    With Amara Thiha, non-resident fellow with the China Program at the Stimson Center. This fortnight on episode 63 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the military's election conclude to China's approval, with coup leader Min Aung Hlaing enacting a new law to extend the military's oversight of the soon-to-be-formed, military-designed civilian administration. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (02:05) Conflict and civilian attacks over election period (03:40) With Seng, the ongoing case at the ICJ (03:54) Military elections conclude (04:48) The new Union Advisory Council Law (05:50) With Amara Thiha, the new law (10:18) China's interests (24:46) China and revolution (27:18) Thailand elections and approach (34:36) Close   Our guests— Amara Thiha, non-resident fellow with the China Program at the Stimson Centre How China Carved Up Myanmar: Beijing's Strategy to Create Stability Through Dependence Myanmar's December Election: Engineering Continuity Through Institutional Redesign New on the Frontier website: Rohingya repatriation as a governance tool in Bangladesh Growing debt: Myanmar farmers suffer from dwindling bean market 'I'm losing so much': Classrooms fall silent in embattled Rakhine State Referenced this episode: Myanmar's military elections will not lead to peace or improvement in the political crisis The State of Myanmar: ISP–Myanmar's Annual Strategic Review and Foresight 2025–2026 China's Intervention and the Limits of Fatalism in Myanmar China Hails Myanmar Junta's 'Steady and Orderly' Election Amnesty International Report

    36 min

  2. JAN 23

    Third Phase of Voting & Arguments at the ICJ

    We identified and corrected a factual error in this episode. With Seng, human rights advocate from Myanmar. This week on episode 62 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the military's Union Election Commission reduces the areas where voting will occur in the final phase of its so-called election on January 25, and we discuss the background and ongoing arguments of the Gambia's long-delayed case at the International Court of Justice, where it accuses Myanmar of breaking the UN Genocide Convention for its atrocities against the Rohingya people. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:17) Military cancels third phase voting in townships (04:46) With Seng, the ongoing case at the ICJ (15:12) Why The Gambia? (17:12) Prosecution arguments (22:21) Evaluating The Gambia's approach (27:09) The military delegation strategy (31:39) Upcoming nationalist protests (44:26) Success and failure at the ICJ (50:30) Close Our guests— Seng, a human rights advocate from Myanmar New on the Frontier website: No alternative: The junta's election and Myanmar's first-time voters Learning the hard way: Students warn against MBA scams Referenced this episode: Military Elections Will Not Resolve Myanmar's Deeper Problems Secretary Antony J. Blinken on the Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity in Burma IAGS RESOLUTION: Persecution of Rohingya By Myanmar Is Genocide & Crimes Against Humanity THE HAGUE – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) holds public hearings in the case The Gambia v. Myanmar Who is Myanmar Regime Apologist Ko Ko Hlaing? Ultranationalist group plans anti-Rohingya rally in Yangon as ICJ hearings proceed

    52 min

  3. JAN 16

    Military 'Election' Nears Conclusion

    With Ben Dunant, former editor-in-chief of Frontier Myanmar, independent journalist, and election observer at multiple missions for the Carter Centre. This week on episode 61 of What's Happening in Myanmar, resistance groups across the Dry Zone disturb polls and attack multiple positions during the second phase of voting in the military's election, politician Thet Thet Khaing is detained and accused of unauthorized meetings with foreign embassy staff, and we discuss the military's election on the ground in Yangon.   Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:39) Thet Thet Khaing detained (02:42) Second phase over (03:05) Electoral violence over second phase (05:05) With Ben Dunant, reporting on the elections in Yangon (08:43) Locations and opportunities to observes (15:08) Security and accreditation to report (18:41) Voter attitudes (30:18) Election results (41:29) Close   Our guests— Ben Dunant, former editor-in-chief of Frontier Myanmar, and independent journalist New original content from Frontier this week: Is Min Aung Hlaing looking over both shoulders? Costs of copper: Residents near mines suffer under junta's heavy hand Referenced this episode: VIDEO: Confronting the man who followed the ABC while reporting on Myanmar's elections

    43 min

  4. JAN 10

    Election Convoy Attacked & Struggles in Mizoram

    With Hannah Russell, higher education program manager at the Institute of Chin Affairs, and Bik Te, scholarship coordinator at the ICA. This week on episode 60 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the Nay Pyi Taw PDF attacks a Union Election Commission convoy, pro-regime political parties complain about the military's problematic so-called election, and we discuss the challenging situation for the tens of thousands of post-coup Myanmar and Chin refugees sheltering in Mizoram State, India.   Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:13) Attack on UEC convoy (02:23) Pro-regime parties unhappy with phase 1 of election (03:57) With Bik Te & Hannah Russell, the Chin refugee community in Mizoram (08:30) Links between zo and Chin people (13:04) Chin livelihoods in Mizoram (23:54) Challenges accessing education in Mizoram (36:54) How can people support the community (41:14) Close   Our guests— Bik Te, scholarship coordinator at the Institute of Chin Affairs Hannah Russell, higher education program manager at the Institute of Chin Affairs Referenced this episode: Fear and loathing greet Myanmar's unfree election Hannah's fundraising run The issue of IJBS on displacement to Mizoram Fragmented Aid & Resistance along the India-Myanmar Border In India's Mizoram, programs for Myanmar refugees struggle to survive amid US aid cuts Mental Health, Gender, and Conflict

    42 min

  5. JAN 3

    Resistance Groups On the Front Foot in the New Year

    With Frontier Myanmar editor-in-chief Thu Thu Aung and independent journalist Lorcan Lovett. This week on episode 59 of What's Happening in Myanmar, conflict rages as resistance forces launch new offensives, the air force bombs a resort town and kills four children, the military administration holds the first phase of its problematic elections, and we talk about the difficult reporting and information environment facing Myanmar and what media organisations can do to survive and thrive in 2026. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:31) War rages over election New Year period (02:12) KIA progress in Bhamo (03:00) Budalin clashes (04:35) NUG PDFs attack DDI infrastructure (06:37) December 28 polls (10:31) With Thu Thu Aung and Lorcan Lovett, media in 2026 Myanmar (27:41) Technological change and AI (37:42) Close   Our guests— Thu Thu Aung, editor-in-chief of Frontier Myanmar Lorcan Lovett, independent journalist, his On Myanmar Substack And his recent piece for Nieman Reports: Myanmar's Independent Media Innovates to Survive New original content on the Frontier website: India group raises awareness about Myanmar's anti-junta resistance

    39 min

  6. 12/19/2025

    The New Spring Revolution Alliance

    With Su Mon, senior analyst for the Asia Pacific at the Armed Conflict Location Event Data organisation. This week on episode 58 of What's Happening in Myanmar, the Spring Revolution Alliance is formed, the military detains well-known non-violent protester Htet Myat Aung, and we review another year of war in Myanmar—and what's around the corner in 2026. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:04) The new Spring Revolution Alliance (03:34) Htet Myat Aung detained in Mandalay (06:28) With Su Mon, conflict in 2025 (13:57) The future of conflict in 2026 (19:29) PDFs lack of ammunition (28:23) The militarisation of society (31:30) Close Our guests— Su Mon, senior analyst for the Asia Pacific at the Armed Conflict Location Event Data organisation New original content on the Frontier website: 'Hard to fight': Weapon shortages hamper resistance groups Rebuilding lives, stitch by stitch

    33 min

  7. 12/12/2025

    Military Elections Loom & Atrocities Continue

    With Jared Bissinger, visiting fellow at the Myanmar Studies Program at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, and research lead at Catalyst Economics. This week on episode 57 of What's Happening in Myanmar, a silent strike simmers in towns and cities, overseas voters shun the military's elections, airstrikes devastate civilians, and we discuss the Myanmar national economy's opportunities and constraints going into 2026. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me   Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:37) Military atrocities and civilian airstrikes (03:40) Silent strike against elections (04:28) Thai foreign minister in Nay Pyi Taw (05:30) Lack of advance voting overseas (06:09) Foreign arrivals closely scrutinized (07:10) Military detentions under elections law (13:11) Effects of the earthquake (16:50) Winners and losers in the conflict economy (19:50) Land border trade (33:53) What to look for in future RE the economy (37:57) Close   Our guests— Jared Bissinger, a Visiting Fellow at the Myanmar Studies Program at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, and Research Lead at Catalyst Economics. How China outmanoeuvres the West in Myanmar His panel on Monday New original content on the Frontier website: 'Election under fear': Junta persecutes critics of its poll

    39 min

  8. 12/06/2025

    Fighting in Mogok & A Climate Plan for Kawthoolei

    With Ah Oo, member of the secretariat of the Kawthoolei Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Committee (KNRECC), and Paul Sein Twa, co-founder and executive director of the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network and also a member of the KNRECC. This week on episode 56 of What's Happening in Myanmar, election pressures and protests intensify, battles rage in and around Mogok, the regime's scam crackdown widens, and we discuss the new Kawthoolei Climate Action Plan. Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me   Timecodes—  (00:00) Opening (01:21) Fighting in Mogok (03:16) Military scam crackdowns (05:27) Elections pressure and detentions (10:09) With Ah Oo & Paun Sein Twa, K-CAP (23:22) A climate plan in a conflict zone (28:52) Other EAOs and K-CAP (36:18) Future of K-CAP (44:32) Close   Our guests— Ah Oo, member of the secretariat of the Kawthoolei Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Committee (KNRECC). Paul Sein Twa, co-founder and executive director of the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network and also part of KNRECC. Paul Sein Twa's Goldman Prize Kawthoolei Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Committee   New original content on the Frontier website: Justice in limbo: NUG stalls probe into civilian deaths   Further referenced this episode: Junta officials and troops pressure Mandalay residents to vote in door-to-door intimidation campaign

    45 min
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Join journalists and experts discussing the biggest Myanmar news stories in this weekly show from the Frontier Myanmar podcast family. Reliable. Concise. Informative.

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