Thread by @DavBrenner

Some good reflections here on why it's not nitpicking to highlight that the coup happened largely within the confines of 2008 constitution. Re the question what the NLD has done to challenge the military’s practical hegemony over #Myanmar politics from within those constraints:

https://twitter.com/DrLeeJones/status/1356240368895983619

One of the biggest practical challenges the NLD mustered to Tatmadaw's power from within these constraints was removing the General Administration Department (Myanmar's bureaucratic backbone) from military-controlled Ministry of Home Affairs, placing it under civilian controlled.

But that was two years ago, and obviously cannot be the sole explanation for today's escalation. Yet, it comes to show that the NLD has found some clever loopholes (including UEC) over the years, which all together apparently seem increasingly threatening to Tatmadaw interests.

I also agree that Min Aung Hlaing's personal ambition and vanity will play a role. Apparently he can't "retire" into the background to pull strings like Than Shwe was happy with.

Also, good points about timing by @PaliwalAvi on factional politics between Tatmadaw conservatives vs Tatmadaw reformists before Min Aung Hlain's impeding retirement. hindustantimes.com/opinion/the-en…