Thread by @Kim_Jolliffe

Charles Petrie offers an excellent critique of the UN system in Myanmar

But he and others need to put more faith in vast segments of the population trying to end military rule and establish a federal democratic system

#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinio…

Like Steinberg and many others, Petrie surmises that the "democratic opposition [lacks] sufficient traction on the ground to bring the disparate pieces [of the country] together."

What kind of standards need to be set for this revolutionary movement to be taken seriously?

Until the federal democracy movement is steamrolling to immediate success, it just seems like so many commentators won't even take it seriously.

The alternative to junta rule is apparently just a jumbled chaotic mess without any agency or purpose. So sad.

Firstly, this is what millions of people, most legitimate political leaders and basically every MM person who has ever done anything for human rights, peace or democracy is focused on

They are not hopeless idiots. They are extremely focused and organised

Give them some respect

Secondly, we need to consider seriously the many possible scenarios in which the federal democracy movement achieves many (if not all) its goals

The whole concept has just been taboo for many foreign observers since Feb 2021 so it never gets any serious thought

Even if you think its more likely the junta is somehow going to get control, or you believe Myanmar is probably heading into an unending spiral of conflict

...you have to given some serious space to the odds of it going the other way

It is shocking how little focus this gets

This scale of popular uprising, unwaivering commitment from the public, incredible ethnic unity and continuous collaboration across different factions is completely unprecedented.

This is not a heartwarming side story. This is actually #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar

Get real

Charles calls for internationals to support "civil society, ethnic and local community structures" but essentially ignores the huge investments these groups are taking everyday to END MILITARY RULE.

There is just a huge gap between local and international perspectives

Get on the phone with people from all backgrounds actually engaged in this revolution every day

Talk to ERO leaders, NUG, CDM participants, CDM organisers, women's rights activists...

Spend an hour a day reading the posts of protestors and organisers from all backgrounds...

And then actually take them seriously and focus on the world from their perspective.

Take the protestors seriously, CDMers seriously, EROs seriously NUG seriously, and the NUCC seriously

Then, fair enough, have a serious conversation about their flaws and the risks of failure