Call It A Revolution (Emergency Edition)

Insight Myanmar

Anthony Davis, a seasoned analyst deeply immersed in the nuances of insurgency and military affairs in the Asia-Pacific, including Myanmar, sits down with us today. He begins by articulating the palpable and sweeping resolve for change he sees across Burmese society— a collective epiphany that transcends ethnic lines and generations. And it isn't merely a repudiation of military despotism; it's a profound societal transformation, signaling a revolutionary tide reshaping every aspect of Burmese life.

International perceptions, however, seem misaligned with this reality. They mostly fail to grasp the magnitude of what Davis does not hesitate to call a “revolution.” This has led to tepid and conventional responses at odds with the seismic shifts occurring within Myanmar. Davis argues that true revolutions defy containment and negotiation— they demand acknowledgment and robust engagement, something the world has been reluctant to provide.

Complicating the picture, however, is the absence of a revolutionary nucleus in Myanmar. As a spontaneous uprising, it lacks centralized direction, leaving a disparate and autonomous array of ethnic armed organizations along with a national government-in-exile to wrestle with the challenge of unifying the fragmented resistance.

Despite the remarkable successes of the recent Operation 1027, which shattered the myth of the military's invincibility, Davis tempers any premature declarations of the regime's demise. He recognizes the strategic recalibrations of Myanmar's neighbors, who may intensify support for the military, perceiving its vulnerability as a call to bolster their support rather than abandon it.

“Everybody realizes that this revolution is about putting an end to a morally bankrupt regime! And this is a regime which needs to be shown the back door of history. I just hope and pray that the courage and resilience that population the vast majority of the population in Myanmar has displayed over the last three years can be sustained in the years to come.”