The situation in Burma has exposed links with the dictatorship all over the world. Obviously, most of Burma’s trading partners will be neighbors, just as the U.S.’s largest trading partner is Canada. This has put southeast Asia — already a troubled area with two Communist countries (Vietnam and Laos) and two other military dictatorships (Burma and Thailand, which has a virulent Muslim insurgency in its south) — in a tight spot. As a result, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations opposes sanctions on Burma, and Singapore is said to be “a crucial ally” of the junta.
The Western Powers (The U.S., France, and Britain) have issued a “softened” UN statement decrying the crackdown in Burma. An exiled leader of the protest, meanwhile, blasts the UN for accomplishing nothing.
Win Shwe, a 42-year-old member of the National League for Democracy was arrested on September 26th and has reportedly died under interrogation.
Look out, junta: Laura Bush is gunning for you!
And the Worst Horse points us the very cool Burma conflict through the eyes of Second Life.
– Philip Ryan, Web Editor