2015.03.30

The Power of Joint Learning as Strategy for Peacebuilding: Insights from Southern Thailand

Since the term “peacebuilding” was introduced into the discourses of academics and practitioners working on violent conflicts in the 1970’s, the definition has undergone remarkable changes.

2015.03.18

Will the 2015 General Election Change Myanmar?

Myanmar approaches a turning point in the year of 2015. A general election is scheduled for late in the year.

2015.01.08

Living in a Frontier: South Asians and Time and Space of Myanmar

I would like to begin by talking about some recent personal experiences of mine. One was inside Myanmar, and another was outside.

2014.12.10

The European Sanctions Policy for Myanmar: Did it work?

In just a few years Myanmar has significantly brushed up its international status and image.

2014.11.22

Evolving Challenges in Myanmar’s Political Transition

The current government that was elected in 2010 has managed to bring about a good measure of internal political reconciliation and liberalization.

2014.11.04

Indigenous Peoples (Lumad) in Mindanao-Sulu Affected by the GPH-MILF Peace Process

Allow me to go directly to the topic— Who among the Indigenous Peoples, all more popularly known as Lumad in M

2014.09.15

Checkpoints and Chokepoints: The Rocky Road to Peace in the Bangsamoro

For the past three years, the acronyms FAB, CAB and lately, the BBL encapsulated key points in the rough road characterizing the peace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH). FAB, CAB and BBL stand for Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and the Bangsamoro Basic Law respectively.

2014.07.02

Toward Creating The Bangsamoro Regional Police: A Review of the Recommendations of the ICP

On 27th March 2014, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a comprehensive peace agreement with the Government of the Philippines (GPH) after more than four decades of separatist struggle. The autonomous Bangsamoro Government is to be established through an election scheduled in 2016.

2014.06.15

The Independent Commission on Policing (ICP): Process and Challenges in Peacebuilding

On the Mindanao Island and Sulu Archipelago of the Philippines where a large number of Muslim populations resi

2014.06.02

Myanmar: Observations of the First Census in 31 Years

Myanmar began conducting its first national census in 31 years on 30 March 2014. The most recent prior census was in 1983, after which another one was not conducted due to the domestic political situation, among other reasons. Carrying out this new census has been characterized as vital for giving the impression both at home and abroad that democratic advances have brought internal stability.

2014.02.16

Recent Religious Riots in Myanmar: the current situation of Burmese Muslims

The story of Myanmar’s transformation from an entrenched military dictatorship to nascent democracy has surprised many observers.

2014.02.05

Karenni and Kayah: The Nature of Burma’s Ethnic Problem over Two Names and the Path to Resolution

The Configuration of the Civil War It is said that there are four problems in Burma (Myanmar): the transition

2014.01.28

From Bullets to Ballots in Bangsamoro: Toward a Political Party System and the Role of demokraXXIa

Introduction: The situation in Mindanao had always been intractable for the Philippines’ colonial administrat

2014.01.27

Hostage to National Politics: Thailand’s Southern Peace Initiatives

The latest wave of street protests, which began in Bangkok in November 2013, were in some ways a blessing in disguise for peace talks between the Thai government and self-proclaimed members of Barisan Revolusi Nasional-Coordinate (BRN-C).

2014.01.24

Exclusive nationalism of Burma (Myanmar) represented by its nationality law

Since the second half of 2011, there has been a rapid development of ‘top-down changes’ in Burma (Myanmar), wh

2014.01.23

Overview and Context of the Thailand’s Deep South Conflict

The persisting conflict in southern Thailand is centered on three southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat near the Malaysia boarder and several districts in Songkhla Province – the region commonly referred to as the Deep South.

2014.01.20

MILF and MNLF: The Direction of Two Peace Processes and the Role of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

On December 8, 2013, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a document

2014.01.16

Dealing with the Past to Repair the Present: Why Transitional Justice Matters in Asia

2014.01.15

Thailand’s Deep South Smoldering Imbroglio: Causes and Exit Strategies

In 2014 Thailand’s insurrection in the far South seems as interminable as ever. After over 150 years of conflict, 10 years of exacerbated violence (since 2004), and attempted negotiations in 2013, the imbroglio continues unabated. In this light, seriously thrashing out the conflict’s causes and potential exit strategies need to be scrutinized.

2014.01.15

The Historical Development of Structural Violence

The history of the southern border region is 800 years longer than that of Thailand, and during such a long history, this region has experienced several turning points.