Behind this extremely pernicious action against the Rohingyas lies the Myanmar military’s growing sense of impotence in its attempts to defeat Asia’s longest-running insurgency, being waged by the Karen National Defence Organisation, the Kachin Independence Army, the Shan State Army and others. The United Wa State Army alone is more than a match for Myanmar’s standing army of half a million. The Burmese imagine recapturing their past national glory, but this time their ambition is both diluted and exacerbated by intolerance for other religions and ethnic nationalities. The unfortunate Rohingyas qualify on both counts. Together with other international actors it could refrain from dealing with the defence industries that feed the ogre.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 21, 2016 18:08 UTC