Episode #296: Of Unity and Uprising
Release Date: December 27
“Do not listen to these cynical, mainstream media, headline people, because what they're interested in is, whenever there's a big headline, whenever there's some terrible tragedy, whenever there's some massacre of civilians, of course they will be there to report on it! At least from the coverage that I've seen; but the actual level of hope, the actual level of commitment of the people on the ground [in Myanmar], the level of true dedication and really happiness and joy that is going on in this revolution right now, and optimism for the future, it is not being represented so well.”
This is Azad's second time on the podcast. During his first appearance, he shared his background as an internationalist from the USA, his previous involvement in the Rojava revolution in northeastern Syria, and how his experiences there shaped his commitment to supporting revolutionary movements, including in Myanmar.
Azad—his nom de guerre—begins by updating the current conditions in Chin State. He provides a deep dive into the conflict's dynamics and the resistance strategy, which inform the broader struggle in the region. The geographical isolation and historical neglect here have shaped a population that is both resilient and under-resourced, and Azad points out how the limited infrastructure and communication between regions have actually strengthened the individual identity and autonomy of the area’s various communities.
However, Azad also feels that the fiercely local character of these rural communities, each carrying slight differences in priorities, approaches, and governance styles, has led to friction when attempting to collaborate. He stresses that while it is only a matter of time before all of Chin State will ultimately be liberated from military occupation, the cost—in lives, resources, and time—will be much higher if greater unity isn’t achieved soon. For example, he notes how simultaneous offensives across multiple areas could stretch the junta's resources and reduce the effectiveness of their air superiority. On the flip side, he points out the risks of waiting for the “perfect moment” to strike, as the junta is continually trying to improve its defenses.
Azad describes how Chin State's rugged and mountainous terrain significantly limits the effectiveness of the regime’s heavy armor, rendering vehicles like tanks largely unusable. The narrow, uneven paths and frequent landslides obviates the effectiveness of conventional, equipment-heavy military strategies. These geographical complications shift the tactical advantage to guerrilla warfare, favoring smaller, more mobile units that know the land well and can navigate the challenging terrain with ease. This asymmetry underscores the resilience and effectiveness of the various Chin resistance groups. The geography of the region also presents significant logistical challenges for maintaining the junta’s supply lines, requiring a reliance on air shipments and coercion of local resources. These logistical difficulties inform the military's strategy of maintaining stationary, fortified positions, which makes it harder for the junta to project power or respond dynamically, but it also complicates efforts by the resistance to dislodge them, as these positions are heavily fortified and strategically located.
Azad explains that both the junta and the resistance have leveraged advanced technology, like Starlink satellite systems, to address infrastructure limitations; though for the two sides, the ease and reliability of its use are not at all the same. Relying on regular helicopter supply drops of the proper equipment, such as satellite dishes, computers and other hardware, regime forces enjoy fairly reliable and consistent Starlink connections. The can then use its sizeable data and communication capabilities to help bolster its isolated positions. For the resistance forces, on the other hand, just acquiring the equipment is not easy and getting it through the challenging topography undetected by the military requires great ingenuity and effort. This technological disparity underscores the global dimensions of the struggle: more regular access to these satellite systems can tip the scales in favor of those with greater financial means and logistical capabilities—in this case, the military.
Despite the military’s material advantages, Azad asserts that resistance forces are largely winning the battle on the ground. Even so, that does do not always mean that they eliminate a junta base whenever it is militarily possible. Similar to Karenni state and other regions in the country, there is a strategic consideration to prevent indiscriminate, retaliatory bombing campaigns against the civilian population by the Air Force—something the junta has become infamous for—because the presence of junta troops act as a deterrent against full-scale aerial bombardment. Thus, soldiers are allowed to remain, but only with a severely degraded military capacity. This symbolizes the delicate balance the resistance tries to maintain between sustaining military pressure on the one hand, while trying to minimize civilian harm on the other.
And even when resistance victories come, the cost is enormous, as Azad describes the ongoing battle for Thantlang. Once a thriving town, it has recently faced repeated assaults and extensive damage, becoming a symbol of the Chin State struggle. Despite their numerical advantage, resistance forces struggle to overcome the junta's fortifications, air support, and supplies. Reinforcements then bolstered junta garrisons, prolonging the fight. This reflects a broader historical pattern in Myanmar's conflicts, where the regime's forces rely on entrenched positions and supply chain resilience to counteract numerically superior, but resource-constrained resistance groups.
Azad provides insights into the morale of junta troops. He explains that because many soldiers are enlisted through conscription or coercion, and face hazing and bullying throughout their training, their morale is often not very high to begin with. Now, after years of conflict and in their deteriorating situation, he sees many lacking the will to fight; however, he notes that they face severe consequences if they are caught trying to defect. For their part, the resistance encourages defection by offering money and safe passage, yet for junta soldiers stationed in isolated outposts, fleeing is fraught with danger. This creates a grim situation where low morale persists, but the cost of leaving is extremely high. Azad notes that the resistance has had some success with defections, representing cracks in the junta's ability to maintain loyalty.
Azad draws several parallels between the junta's heavy-handed military tactics and those seen in other conflicts throughout history, also pointing out how such tactics often backfire, galvanizing opposition and deepening the resolve of those they aim to subdue. As an illustration of how unpopular authoritarian regimes often resort to similar strategies to maintain control, he compares the junta’s reliance on indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery bombardments to the Syrian regime’s infamous use of barrel bombs, emphasizing the destructive and terrorizing impact on civilian populations. Azad then draws another parallel, this time comparing the junta’s indiscriminate bombing attacks on villages and infrastructure in Chin State to World War II and the targeting of urban areas more to intimidate and break civilian morale than to achieve a precise, military objective. Finally, Azad references the Vietnam War, where the U.S. military’s use of overwhelming firepower and aerial assaults in rural areas often failed to suppress a determined and decentralized guerrilla resistance, which echo the junta’s challenges in confronting the mobile and resilient Chin resistance.
While there is clearly still much struggle ahead, Azad is also looking forward to a time when the people of Chin can seek their own destiny. Given its poverty and lack of development, he acknowledges that the people will face significant challenges in finding ways to self-govern and rebuild once the junta is defeated. The region suffers from decades of neglect by successive Burmese governments, which invested minimally in infrastructure and essential services. Although Azad is optimistic about the revolutionary spirit of the Chin people and believes that they will find solutions through self-organization, NGOs, and other means, he is also realistic about the challenges. He again stresses that the future governance of Chin State depends heavily on resolving these lingering, internal divisions and forming a cohesive front, which will not only aid in the fight against the junta but also ensure a smoother transition to peace and development post-liberation.
The discussion concludes with Azad discussing the newly-formed Anti-Fascist Internationalist Front (AIF), a group of internationalists who have come to Myanmar to join the revolution. He describes their decision to join the fight against the Myanmar junta as part of a broader struggle against global fascism. Azad highlights the feeling of solidarity built on shared values and collective action, where their participation is motivated not by a sense of superiority or savior complex, but rather an egalitarian commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Burmese people in the broader fight for justice and freedom. He notes that while many AIF volunteers now in Burma have prior military experience, not all do; participation is open to anyone who shares their political commitment, making it an explicitly internationalist effort against authoritarianism. This echoes similar internationalist movements seen throughout history, such as the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War, where volunteers from different countries joined together to fight against fascism.
"When people come together and they want to fight for their own freedom, for their own autonomy, for their own self-determination, can they do it?" Azad asks rhetorically. "The answer is absolutely yes. The important part is what is currently represented is the will of the people against the will of a dictator. If you want to make it as romantic as you like, the will of the many versus the will of the few."
If you enjoyed this episode, we suggest past podcast shows on similar themes:
· Lorcan Lovett’s post-coup journeys across Myanmar have uncovered not only the profound resilience of its people but also the harsh realities of displacement and conflict as communities adapt to war-torn environments. He recounts witnessing families navigating treacherous conditions, resistance fighters balancing survival with hope, and a fractured yet determined society striving to rebuild amidst chaos. His observations parallel a broader narrative of resilience and community seen across other personal accounts of the Myanmar crisis.
· Simon, from Chin State, explains that his role as a medical doctor involved uplifting public health knowledge among his people, only for these efforts to be undone overnight by the coup. He reflects on themes of community resilience and the enduring spirit of service amidst profound challenges, shedding light on the personal and collective losses endured in Myanmar's conflict zones.
· Michael Sladnick was driven by a profound empathy for those in Myanmar fighting against tyranny. His narrative underscores a recurring theme of transformation through direct engagement and learning, mirroring the ways people in Myanmar adapt and resist under oppressive conditions.
· Mark shares that his Chin community, though fragmented by dialects and geography, finds unity in shared history, religious faith, and cultural celebrations. His reflections highlight the deep connection between cultural identity and the pursuit of democracy, paralleling the broader struggles for freedom and representation in Myanmar.
· Matthew Arnold’s analytical work on Myanmar's ongoing conflict focuses on the strategic and tactical dynamics of resistance and military operations. He draws attention to the relentless pursuit of freedom by armed groups and civilians alike, contextualizing it within the broader historical and political resistance movements in Myanmar.