Episode #293: The Land Stand
"There is the personal interest that I had in Myanmar, being someone that's specialized in civil uprisings, rebellions, protest movements, and the general struggle for democracy against autocracy. Myanmar was right up that alley!" exclaims the journalist Thomas van Linge. "I was following the protests in Myanmar from day one, from the moment the coup took place in February of 2021. I was in awe of the bravery of the Burmese protesters; with their persistence as they continued to take to the streets and resist. I was also fascinated by how they successfully transformed that civil street resistance into an armed rebellion! So, already in 2022, I took it upon myself to be the first one to map out the conflict in Myanmar, to identify the different resistance territories, and to distinguish where the fault lines are—to get a broader picture of the situation."
Thomas van Linge joined the podcast earlier this year to discuss his journey into Karenni state. The devastation caused by the military junta has been relentless— Karenni villages have been partially or completely destroyed, and entire communities displaced. Even once-bustling refugee camps now lie abandoned, with people struggling to survive without essential resources or protection from diseases like malaria. Thomas feels that the international community has largely failed them, with ineffective humanitarian aid efforts. However, he commends smaller NGOs, as well as the Free Burma Rangers, who have acted as a real lifeline for those in need. These unsung heroes venture into the most dangerous areas to bring relief, undeterred by the obstacles that keep larger organizations at bay.
Thomas explains how challenging it is to map the conflict accurately in Myanmar due to the elusive and ever-changing frontlines. He developed an innovative approach, marking areas by the "permanent presence" of forces rather than attempting to fix static boundaries. Initially, Thomas underestimated the resistance’s hold in Karenni. However, on a visit there, he witnessed firsthand that the junta's grip was even weaker than anticipated, confined mostly to isolated, hilltop bases. This discovery only deepened his respect for the resilience of the Karenni people, and the effectiveness of the local resistance.
Building on the concept of territorial control, Thomas delves into the dynamics of the conflict, painting a vivid picture of resistance fighters who operate with remarkable unity and determination. The cooperative nature of the various anti-junta groups has enabled them to counter the regime’s forces effectively even without a centralized command structure. Despite being typically outgunned, they have strength in numbers, benefit from a sense of solidarity, and have greater freedom of movement. Meanwhile, junta forces are trapped in their isolated, hilltop bases and reliant on helicopters for supplies. Thomas expects it won’t be long until these bases are overrun entirely, compounding the junta’s challenges to control the country.
Thomas highlights the contrasting strategies employed by the junta and the resistance. Many past podcast guests have pointed out the military’s inability to innovate beyond their usual response of brute force, and indeed, the junta's repetitive, rigid tactics have only served to alienate the local Karenni population. In contrast, Thomas notes how the resistance has demonstrated patience, adaptability, and foresight, which have garnered local support. They also know when to bide their time and when to strike—a disciplined approach that has allowed them to hold their ground and steadily expand their influence.
Next, Thomas addresses the role of neighboring countries, particularly Thailand. He feels Bangkok has further complicated the situation by refusing to provide adequate sanctuary to refugees; it has either exploited them, or pushed them back across the border to face dire conditions. He also notes that the lack of substantial international intervention in supporting the anti-regime forces has further exacerbated these challenges. That said, Thomas points out that this limited external involvement has had an unexpected silver lining: unlike other conflicts that have been marred by foreign interference, Myanmar’s resistance has been able to retain its grassroots character, avoiding the pitfalls of dependency and/or manipulation by international agendas once they are victorious.
Thomas then contrasts life in junta-controlled areas with that in liberated regions. In Yangon and Naypyidaw, for example, people carry on with their typical economic and social routines—though this veneer of normalcy masks an underlying current of fear and forced compliance. In the so-called "liberated areas," life is clearly a daily struggle—people live in makeshift huts and malaria and aerial assault are on-going threats, along with the need to rebuild social and economic life almost from scratch. Yet despite this harsh reality, he finds that the morale of the people in Karenni remains unwavering. They are driven by the dream of true liberation—to return home and rebuild. This determination fuels their fight, despite the uncertainty of when their suffering will end.
Another compelling aspect Thomas highlights is the egalitarian spirit of the Karenni resistance. Without one, singular charismatic leader, he sees the struggle as community-driven. This grassroots character has helped them weather internal conflicts and maintain unity. Monks, priests, and villagers alike take up roles within the movement, creating a resistance built on collective responsibility rather than individual ambition. This horizontal leadership structure has allowed the Karenni resistance to foster a unique sense of shared purpose, which has proven to be one of their greatest strengths.
The grassroots nature of the resistance extends beyond just Karenni state, and Thomas believes that because of this, Myanmar’s struggle is unique. And as mentioned above, the absence of international support ensures that they will own an eventual victory without being beholden to outside influence.
"Despite all these hardships, all these difficulties, I've never sensed any despair or dip in morale among the people ... They're all keeping their spirits up," he says. "Where we visited, most of the villages have been abandoned because they are within the artillery range of the regime. But the regime itself is now isolated in the hilltop camps and could be eliminated from those bases in different perceivable future! So when those areas are completely cleared, then the people could leave the IDP camps and come back to their villages to start rebuilding."
If you would like to learn more about the topics addressed in this discussion, we recommend the following past episodes:
· Lorcan Lovett shared how the resistance in Myanmar's post-coup era struggles with internal dynamics, such as coordination among different armed groups and the implications of military reprisals. He emphasizes the complex relationships between fighters, civilians, and governing bodies, illustrating the broader challenge of uniting diverse factions under a shared vision for a free Myanmar.
· Saw Chee Htar emphasizes the resilience and resourcefulness of those facing the challenges of Myanmar's crises. He highlights the innovative and adaptive strategies employed by opposition forces, demonstrating a common theme of determination and ingenuity in overcoming significant obstacles.
· Michael Sladnick describes how his involvement with Myanmar’s revolution grew from a deep emotional connection to the struggles of the people and their unwavering courage. He highlights the importance of amplifying human stories and directly supporting those on the ground, emphasizing how these connections transformed his own sense of purpose.
· Anthony Davis offers up his perspective on the ongoing revolution, emphasizing its generational drive and the unprecedented resilience of its people. He reflects on the transformational scope of the conflict, where younger generations are shaping a fundamentally new vision for the country, echoing similar sentiments from other analyses about the deeper human and societal shifts underpinning the resistance.
· Azad opens up about how his revolutionary journey was shaped by his previous experience in Syria, emphasizing the parallels between resistance movements globally and the solidarity that connects them. He reflects on the challenges of organizing fragmented groups into an effective force, mirroring the broader struggle against oppressive regimes.