Irrawaddy-Jan 7
The world is unstable, and the international system is broken—this is bad news. US President-elect Donald Trump will take office on Jan. 20, marking his return to the White House, and this will create more anxiety and uncertainty throughout the world. Compared to the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, Myanmar gets little attention as it goes through civil war and strife with no end in sight. The US has no strategic interests in Myanmar, seeing it as being in China’s sphere of influence. After a dire 2024, people in Myanmar would like to see meaningful change in the country. For this to happen, neighbors’ intervention and the West’s political weight are vital to shape the landscape in the country. However, in the case of Myanmar, possibilities for intervention and diplomatic tools are limited. But ultimately it is neither the West nor its neighbors that matter most; it is the Myanmar people and their aspiration to challenge the criminals in Naypyitaw. They are the ones shaping the country’s future. No matter what, there will be a change in 2025. This is what we hear from Myanmar people inside and outside, and we hope that real change is coming. Will it be a new federal democratic nation or a failed, disintegrated and fractured Myanmar? Indeed, it is difficult to gauge where the country is headed in 2025, other than to expect that it will slide further into darkness and economic hardship with the spread of armed conflict to central Myanmar.
So, what changes will come? Political analysts say that major political events could take place. Will we witness something new and unexpected, like a serpent emerging out of nowhere? Last but not least, we would like to congratulate the people of Myanmar; they are the heroes who have kept faith and hope alive in this revolution at it prepares to enter its fifth year.
We all are living in depressing times, and we are exhausted, but many in Myanmar hope that the murderous regime will be toppled soon, or that some miracle will occur to make them disappear. However unstable the world, Myanmar citizens deserve attention and applause for their perseverance, resilience and fighting spirit! They refuse to accept the return of military rule and the status quo. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/editorial/whats-in-store-for-myanmar-in-2025.html
