Burmese Polls Close

Staff / Truthdig Nov 8, 2010 The polls may have closed in Burma after the military junta-ruled country hosted its first elections in 20 years, but those waiting for significant change may have to wait a bit longer: The country's main opposition party has boycotted the “democratic” contest. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Burma’s Junta Subverts the Internet

Staff / Truthdig Nov 6, 2010 As Burma approaches its first election in 20 years, a “distributed denial of service” attack has paralyzed Internet use within the country, knocking Burmese citizens from online communication in what analysts believe is an attempt by the ruling military dictatorship to restrict the flow of information. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

New Opposition Party Takes Shape in Burma

Staff / Truthdig May 7, 2010 A split within the Burmese opposition has led to some members leaving the defunct National League for Democracy to create a new party, the National Democratic Force, after authorities abolished the NLD for failing to register according to the military regime's strict election laws. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Burma’s Quick-Change Artists

Staff / Truthdig May 2, 2010 As the military in Burma prepares to replace itself with a civilian government, as per new regulations in the country's 2008 constitution, the generals of the ruling junta are shedding their military ranks and -- voilà! -- transforming themselves into respectable civilian politicians. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Best Documentary Nominees

Staff / Truthdig Feb 3, 2010 The Motion Picture Academy has assembled an impressive slate of feature-length documentaries this year, from the inside story of the Pentagon Papers to an on-the-ground look at Burma's Saffron Uprising. Here are the trailers for all five extraordinary films. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Russia Arms Myanmar Regime

Staff / Truthdig Dec 25, 2009 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. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Democracy Activist to Get Day in Court in Myanmar

Staff / Truthdig Dec 22, 2009 After a Kafkaesque series of house arrests, pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will have her day in court. The Supreme Court in Myanmar has finally agreed to hear an appeal against her most recent detention. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sen. Webb Wins Pledge for American’s Release in Myanmar

Staff / Truthdig Aug 16, 2009 Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia negotiated his way into a meeting Saturday with Senior Gen. Than Shwe in Myanmar in which he secured a promise that detained American John Yettaw would be released and allowed to join him on a Bangkok-bound plane Sunday. Update Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sen. Webb’s Burmese Vacation

Staff / Truthdig Aug 14, 2009 Sen. Jim Webb is the first senior U.S. official in more than 10 years to visit Burma, triggering speculation that the White House may be trying to nudge the authoritarian regime there into a "new era of engagement." The trip follows the recent ludicrous sentencing of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to 18 more months of house arrest. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

World Leaders Condemn Burma Verdict

Staff / Truthdig Aug 11, 2009 Burma's military junta has kept Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for the majority of the last 20 years and it looks as if she isn't going anywhere. The sentence of the opposition leader was extended for the crime of being home -- under house arrest -- when an uninvited American came calling. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Truthdig Interview With Naomi Klein

Kasia Anderson / Truthdig Jun 27, 2008 Critics and challengers of Naomi Klein's work had better take a close look at her latest book, "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism," before launching their attacks. Dig deeper ( 18 Min. Read )

U.S. Donations to Burma, China Tighten Up

Staff / Truthdig May 23, 2008 Americans apparently have a track record of opening their wallets to assist those in need after natural disasters at home and abroad. That was the case, at least, after the 2004 tsunami in Asia and Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. in 2005. But the picture looks different in the wake of the recent cyclone in Burma and the earthquake in China, leaving international trend-watchers asking: What gives? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )