The Intelligence from The Economist As a general rules: Myanmar’s coup
Feb 2, 2021
Charlie McCann, Southeast Asia correspondent for The Economist, shares insights into Myanmar's tumultuous political landscape, detailing the recent military coup that disrupted five years of democracy and sparked citizen protests. He delves into the motivations behind the army's power grab and discusses the role of social media in activism. Meanwhile, Sarah Maslin, South America correspondent, examines the wind power boom's impact on Ecuador's balsa wood industry, shedding light on the environmental and social consequences affecting indigenous communities.
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Myanmar Coup
- Myanmar's military staged a coup, detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders.
- This follows the NLD's landslide election victory, which was deemed fraudulent by the military.
Military Power Grab
- Despite a transition to democracy in 2011, the military retained significant power in Myanmar's government.
- The recent coup suggests they desire even greater control.
Disputed Election
- The military's coup was triggered by the NLD's overwhelming election win, which they claim was fraudulent.
- Independent observers, however, considered the election fair.