The People’s Defence Force has suffered a major symbolic setback by losing control of the first town it seized – accusing the Myanmar military of destroying Kawlin in order to reclaim it – but its troops vow to fight on.
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The People’s Defence Force has suffered a major symbolic setback by losing control of the first town it seized – accusing the Myanmar military of destroying Kawlin in order to reclaim it – but its troops vow to fight on.
When Vicky Bowman became director of the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business in October 2013 she was hardly a stranger to the country. The former diplomat had served at the British embassy as a second secretary from 1990 to 1993 and as ambassador from 2002 to 2006. After working as director of global and economic issues at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 2008 to 2011, Ms Bowman joined the Anglo-Australian metals and mining giant Rio Tinto, where she was responsible for implementing the company’s commitment to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Fluent in Myanmar, she is married to well-known Myanmar artist Htein Lin. Ms Bowman spoke to Frontier’s Peter Janssen.

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The early delivery of vaccines is one of the many boons of the country’s geopolitics, but to really take advantage, Myanmar must bury the legacy of its isolationist past.
Will the Kayin BGF go quietly?
The Kayin State Border Guard Force has come under intense pressure from the Tatmadaw over its extensive, controversial business interests and there’s concern the ultimatum could trigger fresh hostilities in one of the country’s most war-torn areas.