ISP-Myanmar publishes this Insight Email as a special edition. We would like to share the favorites of our audiences among our 2024 published research and findings.

“The Political Economy of Myanmar’s Conflict: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of De-escalation Through Economic Incentives,” was also one of the most read pieces.

Since the 2021 coup, a proliferation of armed resistance groups has reshaped Myanmar’s conflict landscape. ISP-Myanmar’s research identifies over 500 such groups. Meanwhile, SAC’s military failures are mounting.

The Min Aung Hlaing administration is increasingly looking to New Delhi for political and military leverage, even as it remains tethered to Beijing’s inescapable influence.

The martial-law order issued after the new administration proclaimed itself an elected government laid bare the realities of Myanmar’s political landscape. In 60 of the country’s 330 townships—more than 18 percent nationwide—it formally transferred judicial authority directly into military hands.

The Min Aung Hlaing administration’s “100-Day Plan” is rather lackluster. Emerging at a time of limited administrative capacity, these policies are overly generalized and lack substance. Most importantly, they do not include crucial measures for economic recovery.

This paper attempts an explanation using a risk-management assessment approach. It posits that China engages with EAOs in Myanmar based on risk management, which is actor-specific, time-bound and reversible since its primary goals are border stability and safeguarding its strategic and economic interests in Myanmar.

As Myanmar’s junta-led elections approach in December, the junta leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is consolidating his power and strategically managing the military elites to preserve his control.

Within one year, the SAC had lost control of 24 towns across 17 townships in northern Shan State. However, SAC regained control of Lashio town in April 2025, and of Nawnghkio in July.

Four new cases with the new Omicron strain of COVID-19 have been found in Myanmar among recent international arrivals. The military council announced on December 28 that the infected individuals have been allowed to return home after the required quarantine period due to good health.

What Matters. 74 (This article is a translation of the original Burmese language version that ISP-Myanmar posted on its Facebook page on December 29, 2021.)  More than 20 world-famous clothing companies, including multinational corporations such as H&M from Sweden, Inditex from Spain, and Primark from Britain, recently decided to suspend their operations in the garment […]

What Matters No. 73 (This article is a translation of the original Burmese language version that ISP-Myanmar posted on its Facebook page on December 28, 2021.) Investment from China in Myanmar declined significantly after the military coup by US$33 million – the lowest amount of investment by China since 2015. Compared to the same period […]

The SAC has been conducting airstrikes not only in conflict zones, such as in Kachin, Karen, Shan, Rakhine, Sagaing, and Magway, but also in areas with no active conflict.

Since the coup, the State Administration Council (SAC) has issued 17 amnesties, releasing 106,662 detainees. Of these, 9,140 were political prisoners—just 8.6 percent of the total.

Since the 2021 coup, rare earth exports from Myanmar to China have surged fivefold to USD 3.6 billion, making Myanmar the largest supplier, accounting for over half of China’s imports.