Russia Arms Myanmar Regime

While the U.S. is by far the world’s largest arms supplier, Russia has reportedly signed a deal with Myanmar—against which many in the West have imposed sanctions—to provide the country formerly known as Burma with 20 MiG-29 fighter planes. For, you know, uh, defense.  —JCL

The BBC:

Russia has signed a contract to deliver 20 MiG-29 fighter planes to Burma, Russian media reports say.

The contract is worth 400m euros (£356m; $570m), sources close to the Russian arms firm Rosoboronexport say.

Many countries in the West have imposed sanctions against Burma, in response to its poor human rights record.

But the country’s military rulers still receive many goods, including arms, from its neighbours China and India, as well as Russia.

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AP

The military in Myanmar—subject to an anti-government march, above, of estimated 100,000 in Yangoon in 2007—is purchasing 20 MiG-29 fighter jets.