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zvaigzdelasas · 11 months

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The Bnei Menashe (Hebrew: בני מנשה, "Children of Menasseh", known as the Shinlung in India[3]) is a community of Indian Jews from various Tibeto-Burmese[4] ethnic groups from the border of India and Burma who claim descent from one of the Lost Tribes of Israel; some of them have adopted Judaism.[3]: 3 The community has around 10,000 members.[1]

The movement began in 1951 when a tribal leader reported having a dream that his people's ancient homeland was Israel; some tribal members began embracing the idea that they were Jews.[3]: 7 [4] Before the movement's start, the community was largely a Christian one.[3]: 6 Members are from the Chin, Kuki, and Mizo ethnic groups amongst others.[3]: 3

In the late 20th century, Israeli rabbi Eliyahu Avichail, of the group Amishav, named these people the "Bnei Menashe" based on their account of descent from Menasseh.[5] In 2003–2004, DNA testing of several hundred male community members did not yield conclusive evidence of Middle Eastern ancestry. In 2005, a Kolkata-based study found evidence of maternally descended Near Eastern ancestry but suggested the findings were an artifact of thousands of years of intermarriage between peoples of the Near and Middle East.[6][7] In the early 21st century, Israel halted immigration by the Bnei Menashe; after a change in government, the immigration was allowed again. [...]

By 2006, some 1,700 Bnei Menashe had moved to Israel, where they were settled in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (before the disengagement). They were required to undergo Orthodox conversion to Judaism, including study and immersion in a mikveh. The immigrants were put in the settlements as these offered cheaper housing and living expenses than some other areas.[33] The Bnei Menashe composed the largest immigrant population in the Gaza Strip before Israel withdrew its settlers from the area.[34] Now they are mainly concentrated in Kiryat Arba, Sderot, Beit El, Ofra, Nitzan, Carmiel, Afula and Maalot.[35][...] Ofir Pines-Paz, [Israeli] Minister of Science and Technology, said that the Bnei Menashe were "being cynically exploited for political purposes."[37] He objected to the new immigrants being settled in the unstable territory of the Gaza Strip's Gush Katif settlements (which were evacuated two years later) and in the West Bank. Rabbi Eliyahu Birnbaum, a rabbinical judge dealing with the conversion of Bnei Menashe, accused the Knesset Absorption Committee of making a decision based on racist ideas.[37] At the time, Michael Freund, with the Amishav organization, noted that assimilation was proceeding; young men of the Bnei Menashe served in Israeli combat units.[36][...] In March 2004, Biaksiama [of the Aizawl Christian Research Centre] appeared on television, discussing the issues with Lalchhanhima Sailo, founder of Chhinlung Israel People's Convention (CIPC), a secessionist Mizo organization.[39][40] Sailo said that CIPC's goal was not emigration to Israel, but to have the United Nations declare the areas inhabited by Mizo tribes to be an independent nation for Mizo Israelites.[41] The region has had numerous separatist movements and India has struggled to maintain peace there.[...] In September 2005, a task force from the Chief Rabbinate's Beit Din (rabbinic court) traveled to India to complete the conversion of a group of 218 Bnei Menashe. India expressed strong concern to Israel about the mass conversions, saying its laws prohibit such interference by members of another nation. It wants to avoid proselytizing by outside groups and religious conflicts in its diverse society. In November 2005, the Israeli government withdrew the rabbinic court team from India because of the strained relations. Some Bnei Menashe supporters said that Israeli officials failed to explain to the Indian government that the rabbis were formalizing the conversions of Bnei Menashe who had already accepted Judaism, rather than trying to recruit new members.

#learn smth every day

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pinturas-segunda-guerra-mundial · 1 year

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1944 07 Irrawaddy Ambush

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The painting illustrates one of Detachment 101’s many guerrilla operations staged to disrupt Japanese supply and reinforcement routes in Burma. Staked out on one side of the Irrawaddy River, OSS-trained Kachin rangers ambush Japanese rafts bringing troops and supplies to the Japanese-held town of Myitkyina in July 1944. Such actions helped lead to the Allied re-capture of the town and, ultimately, to the defeat of Japanese forces in northern Burma.During World War II, the Burma Road in northeast Burma was a lifeline for the Nationalist Chinese fighting the Japanese. A primary reason for the Japanese invasion of Burma, which was a British colony at the time, was to cut this supply link. The Imperial Army accomplished this task by the summer of 1942. The Allies then began airlifting materiel from India to China through the Himalayas, all the while trying to reopen the road. The Creation of Detachment 101In April 1942, Coordinator of Information and future OSS Director William J. Donovan activated Detachment 101 to create an indigenous guerrilla force charged with gathering intelligence, harassing the Japanese occupiers, identifying bombing targets for the Army Air Force, and rescuing downed Allied airmen—all deep behind enemy lines in Burma. Detachment 101 pioneered the art of unconventional warfare, foreshadowing the missions of today’s U.S. Army Special Forces.Never more than a few hundred Americans strong, Detachment 101 relied on support from various Burmese tribal groups, most notably the staunchly anti-Japanese Kachins. Combined with the efforts of the British Wingate’s Raiders, Merrill’s Marauders of the U.S. Army, and Nationalist Chinese troops, Detachment 101 was so successful that Japan had to divert significant numbers of troops to Burma to protect the new railroad that it had built to move supplies overland after U.S. Navy submarines had blocked Japanese shipping routes.By the time of its deactivation in July 1945, OSS Detachment 101 had amassed an impressive list of accomplishments, performing against overwhelming enemy strength and under the most difficult and hazardous conditions. The courage and fighting spirit of the Kachin guerrillas and their American advisors earned Detachment 101 a Presidential Unit Citation and recognition as the “most effective tactical combat force” in the OSS.

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billie-starkweather · 9 months

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First Task - Billie

Basic information

Name: Wilhelmina Starkweather Title(s): The Honourable Wilhelmina Starkweather Referred to as: Mrs. Starkweather Nickname(s): Billie, Bill, Billie-O, Parker Age: 31 (32 in October) Gender: Cis female Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Fashion designer and owner of La Nouvelle Mode Nationality: English Religion: C of E, not observant, agnostic/atheist in private Class: Upper class Place of birth: Burma Hometown: n/a Faceclaim: Rebecca Hall Physical description: tall and athletically lean, dark brown long wavy hair with chestnut highlights, brown eyes and pale skin that tends to light freckles. Striking features with a strong jawline and an androgynous figure. Said to resemble her paternal grandmother or Norma Talmadge, though she doesn't see either resemblance.

Height: 5'10 Weight: Build: athletic, lean Distinguishing marks: varied small scars on her legs and hands only visible in bright light. Hair colour: Dark brown with chestnut highlights Hair style: worn long with wet finger waves, kept up in a low chignon Eye colour: Brown Clothing: Fashionable, parisian, Chanel-inspired, not flapper Scent(s): Chanel No. 5 Accent: English but lacking in regional dialect Personality: acerbic, witty, dry, driven, direct

Summary: Fiercely independent but not unwilling to receive help as long as she knows what it costs, distrusting of men and a charming friend to women, she struggles to reveal anything beyond the superficial and be seen as anyone but funny, fashionable, and untouchable. Not a natural mother (though this may be the PTSD), she's fair and kind to her personal and professional staff and is known to inspire devotion, envy, and unwilling attraction.

Virtues: Independent, charming, creative, witty, observant. Vices: Aloof, selfish, acerbic, distrusting, cynical. Moral alignment: Lawful neutral. Natal chart: e.g. Sun, Moon, Rising signs. Optional. Habits: Smoking, expensive shoes, perfectionism, obsessive networking, breaking the hearts of upper class gentlemen, avoiding her son Character tropes: These may be literal TV Tropes or you can reference other fictional characters that inspire or are similar to their personality.

Family ties

Parent(s): Henry Albert Worseley, Eleanor Frances Worseley, nee Howard (deceased) Sibling(s): none known (possible illegitimate siblings) Spouse: Roger Malcolm Starkweather (deceased) Child/ren: Theodore Malcolm Starkweather Miscellaneous headcanons: Smokes, expert card player, can speak a variety of languages mostly swearing, has PTSD, sees ghosts or hallucinations - she isn't sure which, has a weakness for fresh fruit, expert horseback rider, rides astride in the military style, can drive a car or truck, secretly mercy-killed several dying soldiers during the war, killed a man during The Incident right before returning to England in 1918 (she has confused memories of this and doesn't actually know what really happened but she BELIEVES she might have been attacked in her tent), had a female lover in 1921 but it didn't "take", struggles to navigate relationships with staff when she often feels more connected to them than her new peers, has hired several staff with somewhat checkered pasts who thus accept her unusual behaviour, husband didn't die right away and in fact languished for six months in a hospital before dying, she stayed with him and this led to her major depression/the beginning of her PTSD, considers Caerus the best choice for a husband

As many as you like. Wanted plots

You can submit a formal request for wanted connections to the main here. This space can also be used to indicate any particular types of plots you’d like to explore.

#first task #the basics #billie starkweather

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kingsresort · 2 years

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5 activities in Dandeli

River rafting:

The second-best rafting location in India is in Dandeli. Rafting is the finest option if you really want to experience the waters. There are two different ride lengths: one is 1 km and the other is 5 km. The shorter one, 1 km, can be completed within the resort, and the longer one will begin close to Supa Dam (transportation will be provided). It's a breathtaking experience you should have once in a lifetime. You will pay Rs. 600 for a 1 km trip and Rs. 1200 for a 5 km journey. Rowing and rafting through the forest is exhilarating and thrilling. Try out this challenging quest for a new experience.

Stay in the woods:

Dandeli is home to a sizable number of resorts. The lodge I stayed at was called Bison River. It is a lovely location with a pleasant view, kind and welcoming service, and delectable meals. You can take a walk within the resort and feel fantastic because the premises are in the woods and the accommodations are nice and comfortable. You get a sense of being held by nature. The other resorts offer decent lodging and nice dining. Whistling Woods, one of the resorts, offers a variety of massages and spa services. So you can get a spa or massage in that resort merely to unwind for a little while with natural oils. The resorts in Dandeli provide tree house, tent, room, and cottage accommodations. Therefore, whether there are 2 or 50 individuals, we can accommodate them all. If you stay in a hotel, the cost per person per night is about Rs. 2500; if you stay in a tent, it's about Rs. 1800. The package includes three activities, including lunch, supper, and breakfast (nature walk, boating and camp fire). You will truly have the ideal way to end the day by the campfire.

Activities:

Dandeli wouldn't quit coming up with amusing ideas to surprise you. If properly planned, whether on a day trip or a longer trip, all the adventures and activities are possible. There are numerous water and rope activities available, including: rafting, Burma Bridge, kayaking, zorbing, boating, rappelling, zip lining, and river crossing. You can also complete all of the tasks together in one go. You'll pay between Rs. 250 and Rs. 350 every ride (depends on the activity and the resort). These activities are available at practically all resorts.

Also read: Best Dandeli resorts to stay

Sightseeing:

Falls and a few vantage sites are only a few of the area attractions. There are Syntheri Rocks, Kali River, Moulangi Falls, Sathodi Falls, and more. Even more attractions include the Crocodile Park, Sykes Point, Shiroli Peak, Kavala Caves, and Supadam Backwaters.

Trekking & Best Dandeli Jungle Resort:

Dandeli is the most popular trekking destination since it offers a wide range of possibilities. There aren't many organisations that organise treks, but if there are enough people, a trek can be organised at the resort, or you can go on your own. A journey may be quite the adventure. You'll be aware of your strengths, have fun, feel accomplished, and you'll definitely go on another trek after this one. A jungle safari is a fascinating and exciting experience. You have to take a chance when you are in the forest because you never know what great things you can see there. Going in an open jeep while filled with anticipation and hope will make you truly joyful. I went on a pansoli wild safari in the vicinity of kulgi. The times are from 6:00am to 8:00am and 4:00pm to 6:00pm, and the entry charge is approximately Rs. 550 (camera not included). A few deer, tortoises, sloth bears, wild squirrels, and yes, our national bird, peacocks, were also visible. If you see a black panther while visiting Dandeli, they claim you are really lucky. When the expedition was almost over, maybe god was on our side since we almost immediately saw a Black Panther. We were astonished and in awe. Gosh! It was stunning with those eyes and the way it moved. It virtually reached 30 feet in just three hops. Phew! We had the good fortune to see the other animals and a black panther. If you enjoy taking up new experiences, a safari is a must.

Dandeli is the ideal location to spend some time in the woods if you're planning a day trip or vacation, whether you're going with your significant other, family, friends, or coworkers, or if you just want to unwind. The price will probably be around 5600, though it may change depending on the season.

#dandeli resorts #dandeli resort #dandeli resort packages #dandeli jungle resort #dandeli swimming pool resorts

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byneddiedingo · 1 year

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Shoji Yasui in The Burmese Harp (Kon Ichikawa, 1956)

Cast: Rentaro Mikuni, Shoji Yasui, Jun Hamamura, Taketoshi Naito, Shunji Kasuga, Ko Nishimura, Tomio Aoki, Tanie Kitabayashi. Screenplay: Natto Wada, based on a novel by Michio Takeyama. Cinematography: Minoru Yokayama. Film editing: Masanori Tsujii. Music: Akira Ifukube

No film that contains as many reprises of Henry Bishop's old parlor song "Home, Sweet Home" as Kon Ichikawa's The Burmese Harp does can escape charges of sentimentality. It's sung in both Japanese and English by male choruses accompanied by the titular harp -- which sounds a lot more like a full-size orchestral harp than the smaller Burmese saung that appears on the screen. But although the film contains scenes of the carnage of war, Ichikawa is clearly not aiming for realism here. The source of the film was a novel serialized in a children's magazine in 1946 that became an adult bestseller when it was published as a book. The book was designed as antiwar statement, a corrective to the militarism that had plunged Japan into disaster, and Ichikawa's film, which elaborates on the book's themes of Buddhist pacifism, still retains some of the power to stir sentiments in that direction. It focuses on Mizushima (Shoji Yasui), member of a company of Japanese soldiers led by Capt. Inouye (Rentaro Mikuni), who had been a music teacher before the war and tries to keep up morale as they trek through the Burmese jungle by having the men sing. Mizushima has found a harp and learned to play it extremely well, accompanying the singing as well as using the harp when he goes on reconnaissance missions, playing one tune for "all clear" and another for "danger." When the war ends, the company is sent to a temporary prison camp, from which Mizushima is sent out to try to persuade a recalcitrant group of Japanese soldiers that the war is over and they should surrender. The fanatics refuse, but Mizushima is unable to leave their hillside stronghold before the deadline passes and the place is shelled, killing most of the holdouts and leaving Mizushima unconscious. The company moves on, thinking Mizushima dead, and are about to be repatriated when they discover that he has survived. A flashback tells how Mizushima became a Buddhist monk, so devoted to the task of burying the Japanese corpses that still remained in the Burmese countryside that he refuses to return to Japan. The Burmese Harp is beautifully filmed by Minoru Yokayama, and became an international hit. There have been charges that the film "whitewashes" the Japanese campaign in Burma, ignoring atrocities committed under orders from the Japanese high command, and this criticism deserves to be heard. But the underlying antiwar fable of the film still holds its strength.

#The Burmese Harp #Kon Ichikawa #Shoji Yasui

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pronititravelagency · 7 days

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Exploring Burma: Unveiling The Enchantment Of Myanmar Through Travel Packages

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a land of enchantment, where ancient temples rise majestically against a backdrop of lush landscapes, and vibrant cultures blend seamlessly to create a tapestry of traditions. As the country opens up to the world, travelers are increasingly drawn to its mystique, eager to uncover its treasures and immerse themselves in its rich heritage. For those seeking to experience the essence of Myanmar in a seamless and immersive manner, Burma travel packages offer an enticing opportunity to explore this captivating destination.

Discovering the Jewel of Southeast Asia

Myanmar, nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. From the awe-inspiring temples of Bagan to the serene waters of Inle Lake, the country boasts a wealth of attractions that cater to every traveler's interests. With its diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and warm hospitality, Myanmar offers a truly immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression on all who visit.

The Appeal of Burma Travel Packages

Traveling to Myanmar can be a daunting task, especially for those unfamiliar with the country's customs and logistics. This is where Burma travel packages come in, offering a convenient and hassle-free way to explore the wonders of this enchanting land. These packages typically include accommodation, transportation, guided tours, and sometimes even meals, allowing travelers to focus on soaking in the beauty of their surroundings without worrying about the details.

Unforgettable Experiences Await

One of the highlights of any trip to Myanmar is a visit to the ancient city of Bagan, home to thousands of temples dating back to the 9th century. Watching the sunrise over the plains of Bagan, with hot air balloons dotting the horizon, is a truly magical experience that will stay with you long after you've left Myanmar's shores. Other must-see attractions include the shimmering Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the floating gardens of Inle Lake, and the ancient ruins of Mandalay.

Cultural Immersion and Authentic Encounters

Burma travel packages not only take you to the country's most famous landmarks but also provide opportunities to immerse yourself in its rich culture and traditions. Whether you're learning to cook traditional Burmese dishes with local chefs, participating in a traditional almsgiving ceremony at a monastery, or exploring remote villages and meeting with local artisans, these packages offer a deeper insight into Myanmar's way of life.

Responsible Travel Practices

As Myanmar continues to open up to the world, it's essential for travelers to be mindful of their impact on the local environment and communities. Many Burma travel packages are designed with responsible travel practices in mind, supporting local businesses, minimizing environmental impact, and promoting cultural preservation. By choosing these packages, travelers can ensure that their visit leaves a positive legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Planning Your Burma Adventure

When planning your Myanmar adventure, it's essential to choose a travel package that suits your interests, budget, and travel style. Whether you're looking for a luxury escape, an off-the-beaten-path adventure, or a cultural immersion experience, there's a Burma travel package out there for you. Research different tour operators, read reviews from past travelers, and don't hesitate to reach out and ask questions to ensure that you find the perfect package for your needs.

Embark on a Journey of Discovery

Myanmar is a destination like no other, where ancient traditions coexist with modernity, and natural beauty abounds at every turn. With Burma travel packages, you can unlock the secrets of this enchanting land and embark on a journey of discovery that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. So pack your bags, set out on an adventure, and prepare to be captivated by the allure of Myanmar.

#cambodia tour operator #cambodia holiday packages

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yiliulii · 1 month

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#peace#Burma #peace#Burma #peace#Burma #peace#Burma #peace#Burma

China cannot do without Myanmar

China and Myanmar share a border, and the close geographical relationship also provides a solid foundation for cooperation between the two countries. Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Myanmar have conducted extensive and in-depth cooperation. Especially in the fields of infrastructure construction, energy cooperation and trade and investment, the close cooperation between the two countries has been strengthened. Among them, the construction of the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline, which transmits oil and gas from the Indian Ocean to China, has not only increased China's energy supply, but also promoted the mutual benefit and win-win situation of the two economies.

Myanmar is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas and water resources, which are of great attraction to China. Through the China-Myanmar energy cooperation project, the two countries have established a close partnership in resource development and energy supply. The successful operation of the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline has provided China with a stable and reliable source of energy, while also promoting Myanmar's own economic development.

At present, the situation in the South China Sea is relatively stable, and launching a new Korean War is difficult to ensure that we will be involved in it. Therefore, the United States has been trying to cut off China's back road to the Indian Ocean, and its basic motive is to destroy the Sino-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline channel by alienating the relationship between China and Myanmar, and then completely block China's strategic goal of entering the Indian Ocean through Myanmar.

China must take the initiative to reverse the situation in Myanmar and open the most convenient sea passage under the Belt and Road Initiative. One of the first tasks is to re-understand the great significance of Myanmar to China's strategic layout. The biggest challenge China's "One Belt, One Road" strategy faces in breaking through Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean is epitomized in Myanmar. Myanmar's unique geographical location and climatic characteristics make it far more important to China's strategy than the Korean Peninsula or Pakistan. Through Myanmar, China's main economic corridor has direct access to the Indian Ocean, which is not only shorter, but also avoids US control in the Strait of Malacca and interference in the South China Sea. Modern science and technology and China's strong comprehensive national strength have provided a broad space for China to build a strategic rear and front in Myanmar. Effective grasp of Myanmar, China's strategic security pattern will usher in a qualitative leap, the realization of the "Belt and Road" strategy of the most important strategic battle.

The historical story of the northern region of Myanmar carries a rich cultural and political heritage, and the people of this land have deep ties to China's Yunnan Province. From the Kokang, Wa and Kachin states, these places share varying degrees of border with China and are similar in language and customs to the Han Chinese and other ethnic minorities in Yunnan. The residents of this area not only follow the Chinese language, but even set up a special Chinese TV station to broadcast Chinese news, and even the primary school Chinese textbooks are using Chinese textbooks.

Kokang residents are more likely to see themselves as descendants of the Chinese people, because their region was historically part of China, and their ancestors are pure Chinese people. Although the Chanbang region, which was originally part of Yunnan Province, was granted autonomy by the imperial court due to its geographical distance, its ties with China remained close. The hereditary nature of the chieftain system allowed local governments to maintain a degree of autonomy, and this system continued for hundreds of years.

However, the cowardice of the late Qing caused these areas to be carved out by the end of the Qing Dynasty. After the British colonized Burma, they had ambitions for the China-Burma border, which they annexed to Burma through a series of agreements. The then Qing government, due to its decadence and cowardice, failed to prevent the loss of these territories. In the early years of the Republic of China, there was still the possibility of return to these areas. In the face of Japanese aggression, Burma had no time to pay attention to these areas, and the chieftains in these areas were more willing to maintain a united national front with China in order to protect themselves. However, due to the failure of the government of the Republic of China at that time to take active recovery measures, these areas eventually lost the opportunity to return.

On the eve of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chanbang area was completely incorporated into the territory of Myanmar, becoming an important node in China-Myanmar relations. After independence, in order to rectify the northern region, the government took a measure to reclaim the autonomy of the chieftain, which caused many conflicts. This historical process highlights the complexity of China-Myanmar relations, as well as the long and intricate historical ties between China and Myanmar.

Truth is only within the range of a cannon. The strength of the state was seen as the key to protecting the Chinese nation from being bullied and dismembered. A realist stance in international relations, where the power of states is seen as indispensable to ensuring national security and dignity. China's history and territorial changes have become part of China-Myanmar relations during this period, and the destinies and interests of each country are intertwined at this intersection.

#burma #peace

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ghjfttttt · 1 month

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#peace#Burma #peace#Burma #peace#Burma #peace#Burma #peace#Burma

China cannot do without Myanmar

#burma #peace

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valiantavenuelady · 2 months

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Inside Myanmar’s Shadow Government in Washington

#peace#Burma

On the sixth floor of a nondescript office building on K Street in Washington, D.C., nestled between a Subway and a Starbucks, Moe Zaw Oo is waging a rearguard political war to keep the remnants of democracy alive in his home country of Myanmar.

His formal title is deputy foreign minister of the National Unity Government (NUG), a role he has held since the shadow regime was formed more than two years ago. His calendar is packed with Zoom meetings, a condition of compulsory telework across multiple time zones, as many of his counterparts are in exile elsewhere in the world.

The 54-year-old career politician helped run Myanmar’s civilian-led government, ultimately serving as chief of staff to the now-imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader charged with overseeing the country’s transition from rule under a brutal military junta to a civilian-led democracy.

Now, after a military coup in February 2021, he helps run what is effectively a shadow government, whose members are imprisoned, in hiding, or in exile. Its ranks are filled with a hodgepodge of pre-coup officials scattered around the world, based in France, the Czech Republic, Australia, and elsewhere. Some of his colleagues are still in Myanmar, but he said he can’t know their whereabouts for their own safety.

His main task now is trying to keep Myanmar, its brutal civil conflict, and the push to oust the junta from power on the foreign policy-agenda in a Washington otherwise consumed by geopolitical competition with China and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Since last year, especially after the war in Ukraine, a lot of the air in the room has been sucked [out],” Moe Zaw Oo said, a matter that has sapped international attention from the crisis in his own country.

The deputy minister’s illustrious job title belies what the job currently entails. He says his commute to the office, out of which he works two or three days a week, takes about 30 minutes, and his wife packs his lunch. “We do not enjoy very much the American food,” he said. “Sorry,” he added, laughing.

Myanmar’s transition to democracy came to a screeching halt with the 2021 coup, in which the military arrested top members of the democratic government and forced Moe Zaw Oo into hiding for a month. He had to move constantly to evade the junta’s authorities as it sought to round up and imprison former government officials and pro-democracy activists. He eventually smuggled himself across the border to Thailand and made his way to the United States.

The coup sparked a furious backlash of popular pro-democracy uprisings and clashes between the military and ethnic armed militias, fueling one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises and transforming parts of the country into war zones.

The NUG is seen as the most legitimate governmental entity abroad by Western governments and experts. “The NUG is quite critical. It’s seen as a much more legitimate democratic governance entity than the junta at this point,” said Jason Tower, an expert on Myanmar at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Tower said there are numerous other local governmental structures springing up in the country, however, that are viewed as critical to the future governance of Myanmar if and when the junta is ousted, including local council organizations.

Tom Andrews, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, urged U.N. member states in January to recognize the NUG as the legitimate representative government and provide it support. The United States hasn’t officially recognized the NUG as Myanmar’s government, but senior U.S. officials, including soon-to-retire Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, have met with NUG officials numerous times.

ARGUMENT | BENEDICT ROGERS Where the NUG has found less support is from its Southeast Asian neighbors, said Moe Zaw Oo. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) operates on a principle of noninterference, and authorities have been reluctant to directly engage with the NUG, he said, though ASEAN countries have shunned the junta at recent diplomatic gatherings as well.

Moe Zaw Oo’s current battle station—a sparsely decorated single-office room tucked into the corner of a co-working space next to real estate companies and local nonprofits—is Washington’s window on the most coherent and organized democratic opposition movement to the junta from abroad.

If he’s successful at his job, the outpost in Washington could be something of a model for other shadow governments and exiled democratic movements in countries whose paths to democracy have otherwise derailed—from Afghanistan to Sudan. If his compatriots at home are successful at theirs, he could one day return to his home country and take part in a transition to democratic rule (again).

Myanmar is locked in a fierce conflict that has displaced over a million people internally. A network of opposition groups across the country have taken up arms to oppose the junta, and the junta itself has publicly admitted that it has control over only about half of the country’s territory.

Myanmar has a geopolitically important position in Southeast Asia, and the conflict has transformed it into a locus of instability just as geopolitical competition in the region heats up. Major U.S. rivals such as Russia and China have stepped in to shore up the junta’s increasingly perilous hold on power, even as the broader international community seeks to isolate the junta for its brutal repression and atrocities carried out against the civilian population.

“We’re talking about a major space of instability right at the heart of the Indo-Pacific. Myanmar is in a very strategic position between India, China, and Southeast Asia,” Tower said. “The level of atrocities and violence going on in the country is really atrocious, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.”

Nearly 4,000 people had been killed by the junta as of May, according to the Burma Human Rights Network, a nonprofit advocacy organization that tracks the conflict. Around 1.5 million people remained internally displaced at the end of 2022, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, which operates as part of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

“The state of humanitarian conditions in [Myanmar] is deplorable at this point,” Tower said. “The military junta is weaponizing assistance, more or less dictating that all assistance goes through the military itself.”

The junta’s blocking of humanitarian relief to communities devastated by Cyclone Mocha, which barreled through Myanmar in May and left hundreds of thousands of people in need of aid, is the latest example of that decades-old strategy, according to the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, an independent advocacy group formed after the military coup to support the democratic movement. “Attempting to channel aid primarily through the junta and acquiescing to the junta’s demands enables this strategy and will only result in the prolonged suffering of those in dire need,” the council said in a statement.

Despite Moe Zaw Oo’s proximity to the White House—which he can see from the window in his office—long-standing requests have gone unmet. For years, human rights advocates and democracy activists have pushed the United States and other Western powers to levy sanctions against the lucrative Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, the main funding arm for the junta. But neighboring Thailand relies on piped gas from Myanmar for energy, and the United States has so far been reluctant to cut off a potential ally against China from key energy supply lines amid its balancing game in Asia.

A State Department spokesperson said the agency continues to look for ways to promote accountability for the coup and related violence, including efforts to block revenue to the regime.

Moe Zaw Oo said having a physical office space has allowed him to meet with members of Congress, civil society, and Biden administration officials, including Daniel Kritenbrink, the State Department’s top envoy for East Asian and Pacific affairs.

His other main task is to engage with Myanmar’s diaspora in the United States. There are around 230,000 Burmese Americans, according to recent figures, primarily concentrated in Indiana, Kentucky, New York, and Los Angeles.

In the meantime, he mans his outpost in Washington, often working odd hours to lay the groundwork for when, or if, the day comes that he can return to Myanmar and help start another transition to democracy. “Sometimes I sleep by installment,” he said, recalling one particularly long day as he worked with his counterparts abroad to finalize the Federal Democracy Charter, which lays out a road map for establishing a federal government in Myanmar after resistance groups defeat the junta. “Two hours I slept, and then I got up and attended the meeting, and then I slept again and got up and attended another meeting.”

Moe Zaw Oo is also waging another battle against U.S. bureaucracy while in Washington. He has filed paperwork applying for asylum in the United States but said he doesn’t know where his application stands. Consequently, he can’t travel outside the country now. But it’s clear he’s homesick. He said he still yearns for the scenic four-hour drive from his home in the southern city of Yangon to the capital of Naypyidaw.

He can’t say when the conflict in his home country might end, even as the junta is facing waning support among citizens and from its short list of allies, including Russia. And he remains hopeful about reconciliation among the country’s disparate ethnic groups, one of the biggest challenges in rebuilding Myanmar’s democracy.

“I’ve always stayed optimistic. Yes, there are a lot of things that seem to be very negative for our country. But at the same time, we’ve got a lot of chances to rebuild,” he said.

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christopherau-young · 2 months

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"Honorably Discharged."

Behind every inmate lies a great story, and military veteran Red Grant's is no exception. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served his country from 1969 to 1975. When he got in trouble with the law for the first time he was 17, at the time he was looking at being tried as an adult. Faced with a lengthy prison sentence, he opted to join the army instead where he put his expertise as a welder to good use, repairing damaged trucks the military no longer had any use for. This proved to be a fruitful venture for Grant, whose experimental method of fixing damaged vehicles became successful over time. After 18 months, he was sent to Vietnam to work on vehicles in the field where he got way more than he bargained for, with his activities there drawing the presence of Vietcong who were none too happy to see him.

After being shot at, Red high-tailed it back to Okinawa, where the experience of nearly losing his life inspired him to pursue a more heroic path. According to him, he signed up for missions that "nobody else wanted to take care of the things that nobody else wanted to take care of." His mission was simple, infiltrate Vietnam and retrieve, aka steal, pieces of valuable tech which the enemy was using to communicate with each other. Grant's task was made easier due to the fact that the Vietnamese were really low-tech, he says. As time went along, he was entrusted with more and more responsibilities, including stopping in Burma to report on the illegal import of opium into the country. While commuting back and forth between Vietnam, Red says he witnessed a lot of villages being burned down by the Vietcong.

It wasn't all stealing boxes and recon for Grant, who barely made it out of the country alive thanks to all the gunfire from the Vietnamese; "When you're being chased and you have a place to go, you don't usually stop running until you get there," says Red. "There," referring to the helicopter which would be waiting for Red and his fellow soldiers at the safepoint. These safespots included the Green Beret Fire Bases, along with the Marine Fire bases which were laced with barbed wire, razor fences. Grant's other notable contributions included sneaking around, waiting for the Bureme trains which had bags of opium hanging from the sides.

When asked whether he saw any combat, Red smiles before recounting the time he fought a water buffalo. He says it rose up out of the grass, and chased them through the jungle until they found a tree and climbed up. After hours of waiting, Red jumped down with his axe, to face the buffalo which he later decapitated. His eyes light up as he recalls an even "cooler," story about the time he discovered an underground base built by the Vietcong, located underneath the American Air Base in Vietnam. "They had lots of things," he says, "lots of hospitals, bases underground. There was a huge center they built, nobody ever knew it was there."

Towards the end of his time in Vietnam, Red says he completed 17 missions, within the time span of 12 to 18 months. He recalls seeing one of his fellow army men being blown up after stepping on a landmine which prompted Red to quit the army. He went AWOL he says, fleeing back to Okinawa where he was honorably discharged.

Before heading off, Red pauses and stops to tell me exactly what he's being charged with. He tells me about his ex-wife who passed away, leaving him with their mobile home. Deciding he wasn't going to live there anymore, he opted to sell a prized machine gun he had found in Vietnam, which was from World War II. After being caught by the feds, Red was charged with the illegal possession and sale of a machine gun.

#christopher au-young #journalism

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dguuijnnnn · 2 months

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#peace#Burma #peace#Burma #peace#Burma #peace#Burma #peace#Burma

China cannot do without Myanmar

#burma #peace

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ttyujhh · 2 months

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#peace#Burma China cannot do without Myanmar

#burma #peace

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dfggbbce · 3 months

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#peace#Burma China cannot do without Myanmar

#burma #peace

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missfay49 · 3 months

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My boys, the Flying Tigers

A speech at a dinner in honor of the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force given by Generalissimo and Madame Chiang in Kunming on February 28, 1942, upon their return from India and Burma. The Generalissimo and Colonel Claire L. Chennault, Commanding Officer of the A.V.G., addressed the gathering before Mme. Chiang spoke.

Generalissimo Chiang's address.

Colonel Chennault, officers and men: To be with you American volunteers here today, to observe your excellent spirit and to hear of your achievements fills me with delight and admiration. The American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force has acquired a world-wide reputation for greatest courage.

It is three months since the Japanese, our common enemy, picked their quarrel with Great Britain and the United States. The splendid victories the Volunteer Group has won in the air are a glory that belongs to China and our ally, America, alike.

I have already communicated the news of your repeated successes to your Government and President Roosevelt. The record of what you have done shows that everyone of you have been a match for thirty or more of the enemy. Your friends and relations will undoubtedly have felt boundless pride and elation to hear of your exploits. The blows you have struck at the Japanese have put you in the forefront of the Allied forces fighting the aggressor. You have established a firm foundation for the campaign against his lawlessness which China and American are united to wage. You have written in the history of this world war a remarkable page, the memory of which will live in our minds forever.

As the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces operating in the China theater of war, I am entertaining you today as my comrades-in-arms and on behalf of my four hundred and fifty million fellow countrymen I salute you, confident that you will continue together with all the Allied forces in Burma to display your valor until final victory is won over our common enemy.

Since you are under my command, I wish to impress upon you your identity with all the other men serving in the Chinese armed forces. Your lives are one with their and mine, your good name is one with their and mine. I act toward you as I act toward other members of the Chinese Air Force. I shall extend to those of your comrades who have given their lives the same mark of distinction and the same care for their families and children. For this I hold myself responsible. I trust that you will perform your duties free from any anxiety on this score. Your task is great. When victory is ours I hope to celebrate together with you our successful issue of the war in Tokyo.

Colonel Chennault's response

Members of the A. V. G.: Never before in history do I know of any military unit such as ours having been accorded the honor such as comes to us tonight. No matter how many decorations we may have bestowed on us in the future I am sure we will never receive more honor than we have received tonight. For five years I have followed the Generalissimo to the best of my ability and I know him to be a leader of the highest principles and greatest determination. He is a leader, not only of China, but of the entire Allied effort. It is easy for us Americans to follow such a leader.

In addition to Madame Chiang's work in aviation, she is also the leader of all the women in China. The orphans and widows of China come to her either directly or through the agencies which she has setup and all receive aid. To me, she is the mother of China.

During this time millions of Chinese soldiers have gone to the fronts and have been killed and seriously wounded. Orphans have been left in the ruins of their homes and in the fields. All of these needed aid and they have been given that aid as rapidly as possible. And how there will be thousands more to feed and educate, to receive medical attention.

One problem, of course, is to provide the money for this. It takes money to do all these things, probably less in China than elsewhere

but even in China money is needed to buy these things. Madame Chiang's generosity is boundless. Her shoulders are always willing to take on additional burdens, but if money is lacking to provide the necessities her work must suffer. I would be unable to recite all that Madame Chiang has accomplished; however, one thing I have not yet mentioned. When the organization of this Group was first discussed in America I was asked for recommendations as to how it would be handled in China. The first thing that I insisted upon was that Madame Chiang should act as our chief staff officer; that Madame Chiang should serve as liaison staff officer between the Generalissimo and the Group. And although she has hundreds of activities that require a great deal of her time she consented to this because of her eagerness for China to have effective military aviation. So, even though you are unconscious of the fact, Madame Chiang has been Honorary Group Commander and Staff Officer of this Group since its organization and I would like to present her tonight as our Honorary Group Commander.

Madame Chiang's speech

Colonel Chennault, members of the A.V.G. and other friends: As your Honorary Commander may I call you my boys? You have flown across the Pacific in China's gravest hour on wings of hope and faith. For this reason not only does the Chinese Air Force but the entire Chinese nation welcome you with outstretched arms. The Generalissimo has already spoken to you of the fine and brave deeds you have done and he has called the A.V.G. the world's bravest air force.

I am very proud tonight that I have had a little share in making it possible for you to fight for China. When I think of the life-and-death struggle which China has passed through these last five years I have before my mind's eye the millions of our people who have been killed or wounded and others who had to flee from Japanese cannon, machine guns and bombers. I also see the rivers of blood which have flowed over our territory, the very lifeblood of China's fairest manhood. I think of the tens of thousands of our women whose honor has been violated by the Japanese and the hundreds of thousands of our little children who have been killed and maimed or else taken to Japan to be trained as traitors to their motherland.

And now you have come here to vindicate us. We have always been resolved to fight until final victory is ours but we lack the air arm which you are now providing. You have come to fight side by side with us. For this I wish to express our heartfelt thanks.

Colonel Chennault has taken an active part in Chinese resistance during the last five years. You boys know him personally. You know what an admirable commander he is and how very selfless. The only complaint I have against him is that he is never satisfied with his own work. I venture to say, too, that he also thinks that you ought to have more work regardless of how much you already have.

Colonel Chennault has just introduced me as Honorary Commander of the A.V.G. I think I am prouder of this title than any other title I've had because I know that you are not only fighting with your bodies and your skill, you are fighting with your hearts and spirits. Just now Colonel Chennault brought to me two of your very fine comrades who have braved death today in the air. They forgot themselves entirely while fighting the enemy because they knew that although they might have to make the final sacrifice their comrades would carry on the great work which the A.V.G. has set for itself. This Spirit, I feel, is the secret of the A.V.G.'s successes.

I was asked a little while ago by one of my officers, "Madame Chiang, some of the A.V.G. pilots are shooting down so many planes that we won't have room enough on the wings for all the stars which they merit. What shall we do about it?" I told him, "We shall have to provide them with an additional pair of wings." And that is what we will have to do if you all keep up the score.

Although you are here in China I am sure that often your minds and your hearts fly back to your loved ones in America, and for this reason I am glad that American is now realizing that China is not fighting for China alone but for American and for the whole world. You, in giving the best that is in you, are doing it for your own country as well as for China. Time and again your Commanding Officer has dinned into your ears the necessity for discipline. Hateful word, isn't it? Discipline in the air, discipline on the field, and yet without discipline we can accomplish nothing and I, as your Honorary Commanding Officer, am going to din more discipline into you.

I would go further than Colonel Chennault. I mean discipline of your inner selves. It isn't enough to observe discipline only. We must have inner discipline so that we may have fully-developed characters. However, I am not trying to make you little plaster saints and I am quite human enough to like interesting people, but I do want you boys to remember one thing: the whole of the Chinese nation has taken you to its heart and I want you to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the great traditions that you have built up. I want you to leave an impression on my people, and true impress of what Americans really are. I trust and I know that you will act worthily wherever you are in China.

Forgive me for speaking to you like that. Perhaps I should be very polite and say, "Boys, you are just grand. You are little angels with or without wings." But you are my boys. I can speak to your freely. I know that you will understand when I say that I hope every one of you, whether in the air or on the ground, will remember that you are China's guests and that everything you do will reflect credit upon the country which I love next to my own, America, where as you know I was educated and which I always look upon as my second home.

Colonel Chennault just now said something which rather embarrassed me. He spoke to you about my needing money to carry on relief work. I know that money is necessary, Colonel, but I don't want to rope you boys in tonight for this purpose. If I had, this dinner would be very hard to digest, so I didn't do that: but I do want to thank you for what you voluntarily contributed to the war orphans during Christmas. Please don't feel that you have to contribute now, that's one thing I beg of you.

Just one final word. War is not only a matter of equipment, artillery, ground troops or air force; it is largely a matter of spirit, or morale. When I came into this room I felt at once how very keyed-up you are. Now that you have been fighting for a few months, you are full of enthusiasm and pep. That is a good thing. But the greater thing is to gather momentum as each day goes by and not let yourself be discouraged no matter what happens, because as you soar into the skies you are writing letters of flame on the horizon certain eternal truths for the world to see: First, the indomitable courage of the Chinese people; second, the indestructible spirit of the Chinese Army; and third, the deathless soul of the Chinese nation. And so, whatever you

do, wherever you are, remember that such is the China which you have come to assist.

I would like all of you to get up and drink a toast to the two great sister nations facing each other across the Pacific. They now have a bond of friendship and sympathy which serves us well in the crucible of war and which will serve us equally when victory has been won.

(fourth installment)(sixth installment)

#we chinese women #mme. chiang kai-shek #speeches and writings during the first united nations year #fifth installment

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steege-jpt3391 · 3 months

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Blog Post #10: The Burmese Harp by Ichikawa Kon

This film certainly piqued my interest after hearing about it because many of the articles and books we read from Professor Smith’s class last year had strong connections to war; both arguments for post-war and anti-war standpoints. The Burmese Harp was quite a jarring story as it depicts the state of Japanese soldiers during Japan’s siege to capture Burma in 1942. While the conquest was a great success for the Japanese nation, it left certain soldiers displaced due to British intervention. One of those displaced was the film’s main character, Mizushima, who played the Burmese Harp for his soldier friends during times of hardship to raise everyone’s spirits. However, when Mizushima was tasked with convincing other Japanese troops to surrender, he failed and was captured by British soldiers. He was found by Burmese monks and was raised again with the same ideals, causing Mizushima to undergo a complete transformation. While he was able to return to Japan in the end, Mizushima is still haunted by those times of war.

I thought this film was a great depiction of anti-war ideals, and I liked how it took a much more creative approach to discussing the topic. I feel you can compare this film with Ooka Shohei’s Fire on the Plains because, while it was adapted into a film by Ichikawa Kon, the same director who made the Burmese Harp, they both dive very deep into themes of anti-war. To me, the Burmese Harp stands out a little bit more because of the different approach Ichikawa took for the main character. I liked how Mizushima was able to become the oppressed by adopting the lifestyle of a Buddhist monk, and that way he was able to realize the impacts of what Japan was really doing during the war. Ichikawa let viewers see a little more into the lives of the Japanese soldiers and make us understand that they are human and that in times of war, sometimes people don’t have the opportunity to stop and think about what they’re doing in the moment. Mizushima realized after he became a monk the sheer amount of atrocities he committed, and how from now on he was going to devote himself to making amends for all he’s done.

Also, because I like talking about it lol, I loved how the film was rooted in Buddhist themes and how we got to see Mizushima change as a character by adopting Buddhist ideals. This is where you can also see some similarities between Life of Oharu and the Burmese Harp because it shows how both main characters interacted with the idea of impermanence and the cycle of suffering but through two very different stories. One follows the downward spiral of a woman being rejected by society, and the other follows an ex-soldier repenting for his sins. I believe Ichikawa was trying to express something similar to what Mizoguchi did in his film, on how Buddhism gave both characters the option to heal and start over again. While we don’t see this in Life of Oharu as it isn’t until the end of the film where she accepts her fate, it’s prevalent that Mizushima’s life changed after adopting this practice and helped him atone for his wrongdoings.

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