Election Violence Hits Yangon & Shwe Kokko Raided
What's Happening in Myanmar
With Joseph Young, Daily Briefing newsletter writer for Frontier Myanmar. This week on episode 54 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, the Karen National Liberation Army takes another border town, the Philippines announces its 2026 ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar, the military raids the Shwe Kokko scam compound, and we talk about China’s influence on northern Shan State and what’s behind the military’s moves in Myawaddy. Email the show at Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:16) Election violence hits Yangon (03:21) New ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar (04:13) KNLA takes Maw Taung...
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U.S. Scam Task Force & Rohingya Boat Tragedy
What's Happening in Myanmar
With Khin Hnin Phyu Soe, freelance journalist. This week on episode 53 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, the US steps up its fight against scams in Southeast Asia as the regime continues its demolitions at KK Park, another Rohingya boat tragedy occurs, the military kills over 20 civilians in its attacks around the country, and we discuss the increase in underage girls marrying to avoid conscription. Email the show at Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (00:59) U.S. anti-scam task force and KK park in limbo (04:30) Rohingya boat tragedy off Langkawi (05:52) Conflict updates and...
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The Future of Mogok & Murmurings on Myitsone
What's Happening in Myanmar
With Laur Kiik, Burma studies researcher and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Oslo. This week on episode 52 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, the military detains civilians for supposedly criticising its so-called elections, the fallout from demolitions at KK Park scam compound increases, and we discuss livelihoods at the Myitsone confluence in Kachin State—including the likelihood of the Myitsone dam hydropower project being resumed. Email the show at Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:02) KK park demolition fallout (02:36) Military advances and...
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TNLA Signs Ceasefire
What's Happening in Myanmar
With Aung Khant, coordinator of the Myanmar Freedom of Religion or Belief Network. This week on episode 51 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, ASEAN dithers once again, the military’s UEC announces more election updates, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army signs a ceasefire ceding Mogok and Mongmit to the military, and we discuss religious freedom in Myanmar since the 2021 coup. Email the show at Timecodes— (00:00) Opening (01:45) ASEAN summit leads nowhere (02:24) Election updates (06:11) Ta’ang National Liberation Army ceasefire (08:28)...
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Scammers' Starlink Stopped & Summit Preview
What's Happening in Myanmar
With Hunter Marston, adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. This week on episode 50 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, the UEC announces election campaigning restrictions, SpaceX cuts off Starlink for scammers, and we discuss the upcoming ASEAN summit scheduled for this weekend, U.S. and Chinese policy on Myanmar, and more. Email the show at Timecodes— 01m08s :: News round up, union members freed01m52s :: UEC restricts in-person election campaigning03m29s :: Scam raids, Starlink cut08m18s :: With Hunter Marson, China policy on Myanmar20m05s :: 47th ASEAN...
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TNLA Losses, AA Gains, & a Scam Inflection Point?
What's Happening in Myanmar
With Jacob Sims, visiting fellow at Harvard University’s Asia Centre. This week on episode 49 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, election campaign updates and voter list concerns, the military retakes Hsipaw and loses Nat Yay Kan, and we discuss human trafficking and the fallout of the scam crackdown from earlier this year. Email the show at Timecodes— 01m10s :: Election updates 04m07s :: Nat Yay Kan lost to AA 05m02s :: PDF prison breakout in Hakha 05m46s :: Hsipaw lost to the military 07m20s :: With Jacob Sims, TIP human trafficking report 18m55s :: Scams since the crackdown 23m48s...
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Thadingyut Massacre
What's Happening in Myanmar
With Amaël Vier, election consultant and analyst, and Tharindu Abeyrathna, senior program officer for campaign and advocacy at the Asian Network for Free Elections. This week on episode 48 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, the military massacres civilians at a Buddhist holiday commemoration, the Union Election Commission posts problematic voter lists, and we discuss the new ANFREL assessment report on the military’s planned elections. Email the show at Timecodes— 01m00s :: Announcement of new CEO01m48s :: Thadingyut massacre03m31s :: Sagaing & KIA conflict updates04m27s :: Election...
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Kyaukme Falls & UN Rohingya Talks
What's Happening in Myanmar
With Carlos Sardiña Galache, author and Frontier Myanmar digital editor. This week on episode 47 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, the military retakes Kyaukme, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing returns from Central Asia as his air force kills dozens of civilians across the country, and we discuss this week’s United Nations conference on the Rohingya along with Arakan Army leadership. Email the show at Timecodes— 01m06s :: News roundup04m05s :: With Carlos Sardiña Galache, the UN conference on the Rohingya09m53s :: The AA accuses the BGB of assisting Rohingya militants14m16s :: Twan...
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Rethinking Aid as Sweden Drops Out
What's Happening in Myanmar
With Dustin Barter and Stella Naw, two co-authors of a new ODI report on humanitarianism and revolutionary state-building in Myanmar. This week on episode 46 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, the resistance takes Banmauk, a Kachin Independence Army camp is hit with a precision airstrike, rights organisations react to Sweden ceasing development aid, and we discuss why international donors and humanitarian actors should engage with the new “pluralistic state” of Myanmar. Email the show at Timecodes— 01m19s :: News roundup 02m41s :: With Stella Naw & Dustin Barter, an aid rethink...
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The 4th Generation of Military Leaders
What's Happening in Myanmar
With Naing Min Khant, emerging researcher at the Institute for Strategy and Policy, Myanmar. This week on episode 45 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, the military regime makes gains in Bhamo, the air force bombs and kills dozens of students at a high school, the Union Election Commission declares 56 townships will not be part of December’s so-called elections, and we discuss the likelihood of change within the Myanmar military’s leadership, as the fourth generation of officers eye off the top job. Email the show at Timecodes— 01m06s :: News roundup02m41s :: With Naing Min Khant, the...
info_outlineWith Htet Aung, a journalist with Frontier Myanmar. This week on What’s Happening in Myanmar, the military floats moving its damaged ministries back to Yangon while killing hundreds of people in the month since the March 28 earthquake, and we discuss the challenges of reporting on the quake and its devastating aftermath in Mandalay and Sagaing.
Email the show at whimyanmar@proton.me
Join the Frontier team! We’re seeking a Managing Editor to help lead our newsroom. Find out more here
Timecodes—
01m15s :: A month after the quake
05m56s :: With Htet Aung, reporting on the quake
16m30s :: Naypyitaw and damaged ministries
22m50s :: Close
Our guests—
Htet Aung, independent journalist, and regular contributor to our newsletters and features
New content on the Frontier website since our last episode:
Striking oil: Magway Region’s resource wealth draws junta fire