Myanmar conflict

The National Unity Government's declaration of a "people's defensive war" has raised a host of political and ethical questions.

Recent months have seen the emergence of a raft of new armed civilian militias, further complicating the country's political crisis.

Despite its present political turmoil, Myanmar controls the supply of critical metals for clean energy products.

What does the emergence of a government-in-exile and a newly formed alliance of ethnic rebel groups mean for the country’s emerging conflict?

The junta's worst nightmare is an alliance between the anti-coup movement and ethnic armed groups.

The crisis in Myanmar has exhibited some signs that a devastating and deeply divisive conflict may be on the horizon.

The difference in Western governments' reaction to the two episodes suggests a misplaced focus on electoral procedures.

Despite her promise to welcome new voices into the peace process, many fine-grained obstacles to progress remain.

Sunday's vote will likely deliver a government with a strong popular mandate – a rarity in mainland Southeast Asia – but ethnic minorities will be left out in the cold.

Myanmar's electoral system concentrates power in the hands of the Burman majority, the root cause of decades of civil conflict.

While calls for a pause in violence are notable, it remains to be seen whether they will be heeded or can be sustained and translated into positive developments.