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Myanmar

Why Myanmar’s Desperate Generals Executed Prominent Pro-Democracy Figures

Amid a growing insurgency, the country’s military rulers decided to up the ante.

Thursday, July 28, 2022 / By: Priscilla A. Clapp; Billy Ford; Jason Tower

From virtually the moment Myanmar’s military overthrew the country’s democratically elected government last year, the generals have faced a popular uprising that they met with escalating brutality. Even so, their decision last week to put to death — by hanging — four high-profile democracy advocates sparked shock and outrage at home and around the world. USIP’s Jason Tower, Priscilla Clapp and Billy Ford discuss what is behind the coup regime’s bloody move and its implications for Myanmar and international efforts to bring peace and democracy to the Southeast Asian country.

Read the full report.