Insight Myanmar
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.
Categories: News & Politics
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Episode #224: Saw Htee Char, working under a pseudonym for safety reasons, has been heavily involved in Myanmar since the devastating Cyclone Nargis in 2008. Recognizing a significant gap in accessible, reliable information about the conflict in Myanmar, Saw Htee Char established the Substack page, Burma Coup Resistance Notes. Contrary to the often simplistic and misleading interpretations of the conflict as an internal issue with blame on both sides, Saw Htee Char presents a starkly different picture. He exposes the brutal and sadistic nature of the military regime's efforts to monopolize power, and highlights the desperate struggle of the Burmese people for a return to the semblance of democracy they experienced between 2015 and 2020.
Saw Htee Char's analysis delves into the military's strategic and operational failures. Despite its significant manpower and armaments, the military has consistently lost territory and failed to suppress the ethnic militias it has faced for decades. They now face widespread resistance that has grown in sophistication and determination, challenging the military's control even in traditionally Bamar-majority regions. Saw Htee Char points to Operation 1027 and subsequent actions that have fueled momentum for the resistance, leading to a progressively shrinking sphere of control for the military. The junta’s reliance on air power, he explains, is a sign of desperation rather than strength, drawing parallels with historical lessons on the limitations of air superiority in achieving control without effective ground forces.
“I just consider this this story so inspiring,” he says in closing. “And you also have to acknowledge that the people of Myanmar have received very little support from outside! They've been left to themselves and they've done it anyway, and that's even more incredible, given that they've got some powerful countries against them: China, Russia, India, Thailand, those who have supplied weapons to the junta or diplomatic recognition, even United Nations agencies that have played into the hands of the junta... So the people of Myanmar have carried through the struggle on their own against some very powerful foreign forces. And when they win, this victory will belong entirely to them. They will not owe anybody anything!”
Previous episodes
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348 - Rage Against the Regime Tue, 12 Mar 2024
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347 - Thinzar Shunlei Yi Tue, 05 Mar 2024
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346 - Visa Verses (Bonus Shorts) Sat, 02 Mar 2024
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345 - Ciao, Enlightenment Tue, 27 Feb 2024
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344 - Cursing Tyranny Tue, 20 Feb 2024
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343 - Hidden Ledgers (Emergency Edition) Fri, 16 Feb 2024
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342 - Revolt, Rebuild, Rebirth Tue, 13 Feb 2024
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341 - Dhamma at a Cross Roads (Bonus Shorts) Fri, 09 Feb 2024
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340 - Bo Thanmani Tue, 06 Feb 2024
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339 - The Blueprint of Resistance (Bonus Shorts) Fri, 02 Feb 2024
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338 - Navigating the Legal Pathways Down Under Tue, 30 Jan 2024
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337 - Whit Hornsberger Tue, 23 Jan 2024
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336 - Forging Solidarity Across Conflict (Bonus Shorts) Fri, 19 Jan 2024 - 0h
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335 - Attack on a Meditation Center Fri, 12 Aug 2022
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334 - Have Pity on the Working Man (Bonus short) Tue, 09 Aug 2022 - 0h
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333 - A Reign of Terror Fri, 05 Aug 2022
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332 - Supporting Myanmar through Engaged Buddhism Fri, 29 Jul 2022
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331 - Spring is Coming Fri, 22 Jul 2022
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330 - Journey into Chin State Thu, 14 Jul 2022
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329 - Visual Rebellion Thu, 07 Jul 2022
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328 - Journey Into Renunciation Thu, 30 Jun 2022
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327 - Working Class Hero Thu, 23 Jun 2022
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326 - Lives in the Balance Thu, 16 Jun 2022
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325 - The Power of Dialogue Thu, 09 Jun 2022
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324 - The Karenni Resistance Thu, 02 Jun 2022
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323 - The Hope of R2P Thu, 26 May 2022
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322 - The Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi Returns Thu, 19 May 2022
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321 - A Delicate Balance Thu, 12 May 2022
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320 - A Voice of Conscience Thu, 05 May 2022
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319 - Rick Hanson on Becoming An Ally Thu, 28 Apr 2022 - 0h
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318 - Mratt Kyaw Thu Thu, 21 Apr 2022
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317 - Contrasting Ukraine and Myanmar Thu, 14 Apr 2022
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316 - Liberation At All Costs Thu, 07 Apr 2022
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315 - Beth Upton Thu, 31 Mar 2022
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314 - Resistance and Transformation Thu, 24 Mar 2022
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313 - Education: The Passport to the Future Fri, 18 Mar 2022
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312 - Pride and Prejudice Thu, 10 Mar 2022
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311 - Alan Senauke, Engaged Buddhist Thu, 03 Mar 2022
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310 - The Language of Freedom Thu, 24 Feb 2022
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309 - This Woman’s Work Thu, 17 Feb 2022
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308 - Looking Within A Burmese Nunnery Thu, 10 Feb 2022 - 0h
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307 - Depicting a Golden Kingdom Sat, 05 Feb 2022
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306 - From Burma With Love Mon, 31 Jan 2022
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305 - Revisiting the Burma Spring Wed, 26 Jan 2022 - 0h
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304 - Portrait of an Activist Sat, 22 Jan 2022
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303 - Sitagu Sayadaw, The Coup, and Burmese Buddhism Sun, 16 Jan 2022
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302 - The Fabric of Change: Feminism, Art, and Revolution Tue, 11 Jan 2022
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301 - Artists Against Tyranny, Part 2 Tue, 04 Jan 2022
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300 - The Revolution's Roving Eye Sun, 26 Dec 2021
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299 - Artists Against Tyranny Thu, 09 Dec 2021