Myanmar

It's pretty crazy what is happening in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma. There is a growing, defiant yet peaceful revolution under way in the streets of Yangon and Mandalay, the two largest cities. It is the first of its kind since the democracy-activists demonstrated against the military regime in 1988. That democratic revolt was quickly crushed by military force with hundreds of students and activists brutally massacred. Yet in 1990, the military government allowed for elections, in which the National League of Democracy won 60% of the popular votes and elected Aung San Suu Kyi as Prime Minister. The military refused to acknowledge the result of the elections and refused to handover power to the NLD. Instead, they put Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest and imprisoned many of the NDL's leaders.

For nearly two decades, the people of Myanmar have suffered under brutality of General Than Shwe. Economic conditions have worsened over time, leaving the majority of the people in abject poverty. Fears of political repercussions have squelched any political dissidents from opposing the military junta, and international condemnation and outcry have produced little movement for democratic liberalization. Aung San Suu Kyi has been the rallying point of human rights activists in Southeast Asia, the heroine of democracy in Myanmar.

In August of 2007, the start of the revolution took place with the junta's policy decision to increase the price of gasoline. Citizens, already burdened with the inability to afford much, were outraged at the price hike, and took to the streets to demonstrate against the policy. The military swiftly cracked down on the thousands, unleashing government-backed mobs to disperse the crowds and imprison leaders. However, Gen. Than Shwe underestimated the latest demonstrations. Soon thereafter, Burmese monks took up the cause and marched throughout major cities. Buddhist monks are well-respected, even with the military junta, and command a great deal of respect from all citizens. To violently crackdown on the monks would permanently cause catastrophic damage to the junta's PR. And so, cities like Mandalay have seen tens of thousands of monks march against the ruling government, and the government's hands are tied.

What happens next is up in the air. But for the first time in nearly two decades, the prospects of a liberal democracy in power in Myanmar look hopeful. Perhaps this ought to be an insight for future U.S. foreign policy-making decisions. Rather than forcefully imposing liberal democracy via a unilateral coup d'etat, perhaps rallying and supporting vocal leaders in those sovereign nations to overthrow radical theocracies and undemocratic elements would be the way to best win the hearts of the Middle East. Just a thought.