Monthly Review | August 2026
Throughout August 2026, the junta and AA engaged in intense conflict, with the regime relying on punitive airstrikes against civilians to compensate for ground losses, as acknowledged by the AA on August 6. The ULA/AA expanded governance by imposing curfews, banning underage motorcycle driving, creating a special court for rape and major crimes, introducing a 50% tax...
Monthly Review | July 2026
The ULA consolidated control across Arakan State in July 2026 through banking system establishment, business licensing, and renaming Minbya and Pauktaw to historic titles on July 29. The junta responded with relentless airstrikes killing at least 12 civilians and bombing a POW camp in Maungdaw that killed four detainees,...
Monthly Review | June 2026
The AA significantly expanded control in June 2026, encircling Kyaukphyu's naval station and repelling a major junta offensive along the Rakhine-Magway border, killing 30 troops and capturing over 20 soldiers. The junta responded with intensified airstrikes and troop reinforcements while conducting mass civilian arrests in Sittwe and Ramree on suspicion of AA ties. Min Aung Hlaing visited...
Monthly Review | May 2026
The Arakan Army (AA) significantly expanded territorial control and state-like governance functions in May 2026, seizing junta camps, issuing vehicle licenses, releasing prisoners of war, and conducting cross-border diplomacy with...
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Monthly Review | April 2026
On April 11, AA Commander-in-Chief Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing declared on the group's 17th anniversary that his forces would fight until the complete liberation of Arakan/Rakhine State, rejecting any compromise with the junta and receiving solidarity from over...
Monthly Review | March 2026
In March 2026, Arakan’s economy faced intersecting pressures from global geopolitical shocks (Iran conflict), internal regulatory changes (AA licensing, NUG permits), and cross-border dynamics. Fuel prices skyrocketed unevenly—severe in junta-held Sittwe, more stable but rising in AA areas—,...
Monthly Review | February 2026
Monthly Review | January 2026
Monthly Review | December 2025
Monthly Review | November 2025
Monthly Review | October 2025
Monthly Review | September 2025
Monthly Review | August 2025
Monthly Review | July 2025
Monthly Review | June 2025
Monthly Review | May 2025
The 2025 elections in Myanmar were conducted amid ongoing armed conflicts, territorial fragmentation, and political suppression and repression, functioning primarily as a managed authoritarian process rather than...
From November 2023 to December 2024, the resumption of armed clashes in Arakan, driven by the Arakan Army (AA) as part of the broader '1027 Operation,' severely disrupted border trade with Bangladesh ...
While alliances in northern Myanmar remain strategically important, these new western partnerships reflect the AA’s dual focus on homeland security and a broader political role in Myanmar’s future ...
While the Rakhine attribute the crisis to the loss of sovereignty and lack of autonomy for their region, the Rohingya view the lack of recognition of their ‘Rohingya identity’ and status as an indigenous ethnic group...
In comparison between Cyclone Nargis and Mocha, the military regimes’ responses, and actions towards the cyclones’ management in short and long-term perspectives can be seen as not too different. Their own actions for emergency responses and rehabilitation processes remain insufficient in certain factors that lead the affected communities to be more harmful.
The Rakhine State in Myanmar offers immense potential for foreign direct investment (FDI) owing to its strategic location, abundant natural resources, and diverse opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, fishery, tourism, oil and gas, and services. In this context, it is essential to examine the major investments made by China and India in Rakhine State to understand their implications for the local stakeholders.
While the junta’s forces and Arakan Army (AA) are now in an informal truce, the news of the registration of the political parties in Rakhine have become more prominent in March. As the twoarmed parties are in a lack of trust toward each other,...
While the junta’s forces and Arakan Army (AA) are now in an informal truce, the news of the registration of the political parties in Rakhine have become more prominent in March.
In February 2023, both tensions and relaxation could be seen in politics in Rakhine State. Tensions between the Arakan Army, and junta forces happened due after the junta forces' reinforcement such as military types of equipment, patrol and,...
Just 20 months after a de facto ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA), a series of armed clashes resumed in three locations in northern Rakhine,...
