Special Release Episodes
In the aftermath of Operation 1027, a joint, military endeavor led by the Three Brotherhood Alliance— comprising the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army— the conflict in Myanmar has undergone a seismic transformation overnight. Coordinated strikes ripped through multiple towns in northern Shan State and throughout Sagaing region, systematically targeting installations of the Myanmar Army, Myanmar Police Force, and pro-military militias.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance, which has since been joined by other ethnic forces and defense groups, is pursuing multifaceted objectives: safeguarding civilians, asserting their right to self-defense, retaking control over contested territory, limiting assaults launched by the State Administration Council, cracking down on the extensive online gambling fraud along the volatile China–Myanmar border, and most importantly, obliterating the shackles of military rule.
This operation doesn't just mark a moment in the current conflict, but rather heralds a possibly triumphant shift in the trajectory of Myanmar's history. As Vladmir Lenin said, "There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen." Right now, Myanmar is engulfed in one of those weeks—a crucible of destiny.
Amid the vortex of such a complex, fluid, and high-stakes scenario, we are creating "Special Release" episodes related to this unfolding situation that will be rushed through production. In this whirlwind, every moment counts! The stakes are colossal, the narrative ever-shifting. Stay tuned for news that may sculpt the very future of a nation!
Kyaw Hsan Hlaing is an independent writer, analyst, and researcher delves into the intricate political landscape of Rakhine state, tracing the histories of key political entities, describing the complex relations between the Rakhine people and various other factions, examining the origins of the influential Arakan Army (AA), and highlighting the significant gamble the AA has taken in joining Operation 1027. Kyaw Hsan Hlaing passionately argues for AA’s deeper commitment not just to defeating the Burmese military but to forging a robust federal democracy for the benefit of all Myanmar's citizens.
Matthew Arnold is an academic and independent policy analyst who provides a compelling post-Operation 1027 analysis, asserting that Myanmar's ongoing revolution is gaining momentum. He calls the operation a historic milestone, indicating a broader junta collapse may well be on the horizon. He emphasizes how Myanmar's conflict can be characterized as a widespread rebellion against military dictatorship and a desire for a fundamental break with the past in favor of inclusion and democracy. He contends that Operation 1027 is the outcome of a strategic consideration based on a comprehensive assessment of the war's trajectory, executed by competent actors confident in the resistance's momentum. Arnold foresees the junta's collapse, citing widespread and resilient resistance, and urges the world to support Myanmar's collective determination for positive change.
Jason Tower is affiliated with the United States Institute of Peace, He reveals the grim reality of sophisticated online scams, known as "pig butchering scams"; those who get duped are the pigs and the butchering is when they are bled of money. Over half a million people are enslaved, beaten, and threatened to work in this criminal enterprise, which nets $100 billion annually. The illicit trade, intertwined with human trafficking and supported by the Myanmar military, is a particular issue for China, because many of the people trafficked and forced into this work are Chinese. Despite recent releases and arrests, the majority of victims remain in bondage, highlighting a global crisis with far-reaching consequences.