Vatican News

 

 

Myanmar’s civil war has reached a horrifying new low, with airstrikes targeting schools and young people fleeing forced conscription. On 12 September, a Burmese military jet bombed two private schools in Kyauktaw, Rakhine State, killing 20 students aged 15 to 21. The attack is part of a wider campaign of aerial bombardments as the junta loses ground to the Arakan Army (AA), which now controls 14 of Rakhine’s 17 municipalities.

 

Bishop Peter Tin Wai of Pyay, whose Diocese spans much of the region, described a population “just trying to survive.” Communication is severed, education has collapsed, and families are fleeing to Pyay or Yangon in search of food, safety, and functioning schools. “All our youth are fleeing abroad,” he said, “and society is losing its best energy.”

 

The Guardian’s recent reporting places Myanmar’s crisis within a global context of democratic decline and authoritarian impunity. Since the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, the country has fractured. Ethnic armed groups now hold vast territories, and the junta—led by Min Aung Hlaing—is pressing ahead with sham elections in December.

 

International response has been tepid. China and Russia continue to support the regime, while Washington’s stance has grown increasingly ambiguous. Reports suggest the US may be softening its position in exchange for access to rare earth minerals, raising fears of tacit recognition. Meanwhile, foreign aid cuts threaten over a million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, with the UN warning of imminent food shortages.

 

Myanmar’s suffering is immense: thousands dead, millions displaced, and widespread reports of torture, rape, and summary executions. As The Guardian warns, the country offers a terrifying glimpse into a future where authoritarian regimes operate unchecked and civilian lives are expendable.

 

Without decisive global action, Myanmar’s tragedy risks becoming a template for repression worldwide. The silence is deafening.

 

 

-2025-09-22

From yesterday, news that one European country can change a war, and could do the same with Myanmar.

 

Poland closed the border trainline into Europe which originates in China, bringing billions of $ of Chinese goods into Europe. Their aim is to persuade China to stop backing Russia in the Ukraine-Russia war.  I think China is now between a rock and a hard place,,,,

 

Suppose Poland told China to end the civil war in Myanmar, or the train line stays shut.  China easily has enough power and infuence to stop the junta stone dead in its tracks, (although that might not stop inter-ethnic fighting).

 

Wishful thinking...

7 minutes ago, simon43 said:

From yesterday, news that one European country can change a war, and could do the same with Myanmar.

 

Poland closed the border trainline into Europe which originates in China, bringing billions of $ of Chinese goods into Europe. Their aim is to persuade China to stop backing Russia in the Ukraine-Russia war.  I think China is now between a rock and a hard place,,,,

 

Suppose Poland told China to end the civil war in Myanmar, or the train line stays shut.  China easily has enough power and infuence to stop the junta stone dead in its tracks, (although that might not stop inter-ethnic fighting).

 

Wishful thinking...

You threaten to stop trade between a large country and that will make them think. Just as Trump did for Thailand/Cambodia, which I'm thinking had some effect.