Burn After Reforming

Episode #346: Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK, reflects on Myanmar’s multiple crises and shares his multi-decade relationship with the country. Initially engaged through public demonstrations, Farmaner’s work evolved into policy-oriented advocacy aimed at cutting off the military’s power through sanctions, revenue disruption, and denial of legitimacy. He criticizes international strategies rooted in the false hope of military reform, arguing that any compromise with the military only delays future unrest.

Two early focal points of advocacy—Aung San Suu Kyi and British business ties to the junta—have lost their power. Suu Kyi’s reputation declined following the Rohingya crisis, and Farmaner argues that her Bamar-Buddhist-majority outlook has alienated ethnic minorities. And international advocacy has fragmented as humanitarian emergencies divert civil society resources.

Despite setbacks, Farmaner detects unprecedented hope among resistance actors envisioning a future without the military. He argues Myanmar’s future lies in decentralized governance, where ethnic forces maintain regional control. He questions whether the NUG can form a central authority, especially given their lack of territorial control and strained relationships with some ethnic groups.

Farmaner calls for cutting arms and revenue to the military, demanding justice, and expanding humanitarian aid. He warns that reduced aid empowers the junta, which exploits crises like the recent earthquake to regain international legitimacy. Still, in spite of the overall lack of foreign assistance, local, grassroots, Burmese responses have been inspiring, and he urges allies to pressure elected officials directly in support.

Farmaner concludes optimistically: “I think it’s inevitable that the people of Burma will win their freedom.”