New' Myanmar, old challenges

'New' Myanmar, old challenges By Ashley South The political situation in Myanmar (Burma) is often understood in terms of conflict between pro-democracy forces (Aung San Suu Kyi and allies) and the military government. This is problematic for two reasons. First, following elections in November last year, Myanmar is best characterized as a mixed-authoritarian regime, rather than a military dictatorship. Second, in addition to the "democracy issue", politics in Myanmar is shaped by historically rooted conflicts between a state associated with the Burman majority and the aspirations for self-determination of ethnic communities, who make up about 30% of the population. Thus, the repeated demands for tripartite dialogue - between the government, MORE NEWS+++CLICK++