The civilian National Unity Consultative Council and Taang Land Council have dismissed the December 28 election as a scam.

Also this week, the regime pushed back Karenni forces, set an election date, and campaigned for turnout in a vote covering only a fraction of the country.

Ferrari & Associates founder says the case was based on its merits, but declines to identify his three clients, known to include junta arms dealers.

Union-level officials can go to their intended constituencies and plan their campaigns, but canvassing is not expected to start till October.

The regime has demanded information, including the political leanings of family members, of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry leaders.

Far from being fatally weakened, as many analysts predicted, the military regime is coming back stronger and taking back lost territory. Have we been asking the wrong questions all along?

Fuelinga farce.

The talks, which will include Min Aung Hlaing and four ASEAN foreign ministers, aim to assess the regimes upcoming election and push the blocs stalled peace plan.

Bangkok court dismisses charges, but the future of his political dynasty still hangs in the balance as his daughter, PM Paetongtarn, faces her own ruling next week.

The regime is fighting to recover territory from the Taang National Liberation Army ahead of the election it has promised for December 28.

The United Wa State Party said Beijings sanctions had forced it to end military and financial aid to its allies the TNLA, MNDAA and SSPP.

The regime is rallying a cast of prominent military loyalists to front its poll farce.

The regime has scaled back its plans for an election on December 28 with observers dismissing the process as a sham.

For Beijing, peace-making abroad is never altruistic but always being put in the service of economic or geopolitical advantage, says Rishan Sen.

For decades, the Myanmar military has employed Washingtons sharpest lobbyists to improve its image on the global stagewith invariably disastrous results.

Repatriation of around 1 million refugees to Myanmar on the agenda, but experts question international commitment to sustainable solutions for the crisis.

Resistance reports fierce fighting as regimes Operation Yan Naing Min pushes to retake towns, villages, and key routes in southern Shan and Karenni states.

Unidentified resistance fighters ambushed a junta outpost in Sagaing Region on Sunday while regime forces were raiding surrounding villages.

Shutdown of No. 2 Friendship Bridge from Myawaddy to Mae Sot catches Thailand off guard, disrupting $120 million in monthly trade and boosting fuel prices in Karen State.

This weeks Irrawaddy editorial discussion asks if China can achieve its goal of creating a stable Myanmar.

Visiting Magwe, a resistance stronghold, the junta boss claimed his planned poll has international backing; he urged troops and locals to do their duty and vote.

Joe Kumbun explains why the victorious AA has halted its conquests in Rakhine, and three townships remain under junta controlfor now.

Locals fear fresh fighting and regime airstrikes, as public anger grows over mediator Chinas silence on civilian casualties.

Karenni States Interim Executive Council said the airstrike was the deadliest ever in the state and urged global action in response to the juntas war crimes.

At least two children were killed in the aerial massacre in Mawchi, a town that has been controlled by the Karenni resistance since January 2024.

Fierce fighting is reported on the main trade artery to Myawaddy, gateway to Thailand.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance has cemented control of a key China-Myanmar trade gate, turning it into a steady revenue sourceand a test of its governance capacity.

Even those who manage to hold on to one of the few remaining jobs in the locked-down Rakhine State capital dont make enough money to eat, locals report.

Branded as fraudulent by international monitors, the election is set to take place with much of country beyond regime control.