s geopolitical tensions rise and the demand for rare earth minerals surges, Washington is inching toward a dangerous and morally indefensible pivot: collaborating with Burma’s brutal military regime. This shift, masked as strategic necessity, threatens to undermine decades of democratic values, reward war criminals, and crush the hopes of millions resisting tyranny.

But there is a better path forward—and it does not run through Naypyidaw. It begins by recognizing that the only legitimate and sustainable solution lies in direct engagement with Burma’s ethnic groups and guaranteeing them full autonomy and security.

The Real Path Forward: From the Ground Up

In the shadows of military decline, something extraordinary is happening.

Across Burma, in areas liberated from junta control, ethnic and local administrations are rising. From the Karen, Karenni, and Kachin to the Chin, Mon, Arakan and Shan, the people are governing themselves, providing education, healthcare, and local security—often with no international support at all.

These aren’t warlords. These are the architects of a new Burma.

• They aren’t asking for handouts—they’re asking for recognition.

• They don’t want to rule over others—they want to rule themselves.

• They’re not trying to conquer—they’re trying to survive.

On the evening of Monday, July 28, 2025, the heart of Midtown Manhattan was shattered by violence—but it was also defined by courage. As the sun dipped behind the towering skyline, a lone gunman entered 345 Park Avenue armed with an AR‑15-style rifle, body armor, and a chilling intent. What followed was a brief yet devastating rampage that claimed four innocent lives. But amid the chaos, one man stood between the threat and the people he swore to protect—Officer Didarul Islam.

George Soros and Karl Popper are often celebrated as champions of democracy and enemies of Marxism. Popper, through his iconic book The Open Society and Its Enemies, warned against totalitarian ideologies, while Soros publicly claims to promote freedom and transparency through his Open Society Foundations (OSF).

But rhetoric means nothing without results. The outcomes of their philosophies and funding tell a different story: capitalism weakened, democratic republics destabilized, sovereignty eroded, and movements with Marxist agendas bankrolled globally. From U.S. prosecutors who cripple law enforcement, to radical protest networks like Indivisible and No Kings, to political engineering in Burma through the National Unity Government (NUG)—the pattern is unmistakable.

What began as a tense standoff along the Thai-Cambodian border has erupted into full-scale violence. In recent days, clashes have escalated into heavy exchanges of artillery fire, leaving at least 13 dead in Thailand, including civilians. The situation is deteriorating rapidly, as regional power struggles and global alliances begin to shape the trajectory of this conflict. What was once a local border dispute now risks morphing into a proxy confrontation between two global superpowers—the United States and China.

On July 24, 2025, the U.S. Treasury quietly removed a handful of Burma-linked names from its sanctions list. It wasn’t a headline-grabbing move, but it sent shockwaves across diplomatic and activist circles. For the first time since the 2021 coup, Washington has loosened some pressure on Burma’s military rulers, signaling a shift in strategy.

The big question: Why would America ease sanctions on a regime accused of atrocities? And what does this mean for Burma’s ethnic groups fighting for autonomy and survival?

For decades, efforts to create a democratic and peaceful Burma have failed because they relied on top-down, Burman-dominated models that centralized power and disregarded ethnic realities. Federalism as previously proposed effectively maintained Burman elite dominance, leaving ethnic states vulnerable to oppression and systemic discrimination.

The recent report by The Irrawaddy that regime troops have reclaimed a 24-kilometer stretch of the Asian Highway between Kyonedoe and Kawkareik in Karen State marks a critical shift in the ongoing conflict. This stretch of road, which forms a vital link to Thailand through Mae Sot, is not merely a logistical asset—it is an economic lifeline for both the junta and ethnic resistance forces. Its recapture by the regime underscores not only a strategic setback for resistance forces but also the consequences of a fragmented ethnic military effort.

As Burma’s (Myanmar) civil war intensifies, the strategic Htee Khee border area has become a flashpoint with far-reaching geopolitical and economic implications. The Karen National Union (KNU), through its armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), has made sweeping advances across Kawthoolei (Karen State), positioning itself near Burma’s most critical energy infrastructure—three major natural gas pipelines supplying Thailand. This development underscores a dramatic shift in power dynamics that could reshape the region’s political and economic landscape.

The recent clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border represent the most severe escalation in more than a decade, reigniting longstanding territorial disputes and raising concerns about broader regional stability. These hostilities—rooted in unresolved colonial-era demarcation issues—have already caused casualties, forced evacuations, and heightened diplomatic tensions. However, the consequences extend beyond bilateral relations; the conflict threatens to reshape Thailand’s internal political landscape and strain its capacity to manage security challenges on multiple fronts, including the volatile Thai–Burma border. This article explores the origins, dynamics, and far-reaching impacts of these clashes on Thailand’s domestic governance and regional security posture.

For years, the National Unity Government (NUG) has positioned itself as the legitimate voice of Burma’s democratic movement, parading before Western policymakers as the embodiment of resistance and inclusion. But behind the glossy press releases and diaspora-driven lobbying campaigns lies an uncomfortable truth: the NUG is a Burman-dominated elite project propped up by foreign money, disconnected from the ethnic realities on the ground—and its close association with George Soros’s Open Society Foundations (OSF) only deepens the credibility crisis.

The Karen National Union (KNU) has pushed back against a recent report by the Institute of Strategy and Policy – Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar), which stated the group controls only one-third of the border between Myanmar and Thailand. In a firm rebuttal, the KNU claimed it actually controls 90 percent of the border area, a figure nearly three times greater than ISP-Myanmar’s estimate.

In a decisive move to support the people of Burma (Myanmar) and weaken the military junta’s grip on power, U.S. Congressional committees have approved three draft bills aimed at cutting financial lifelines to the Military Council, sanctioning state-affiliated businesses, and holding the military accountable for genocide and war crimes. These actions reflect a strong bipartisan stance to back democracy and justice in Burma (Myanmar) while isolating the junta.

On July 16, 2025, three soldiers from Thailand’s 6th Infantry Division suffered serious injuries—including one soldier losing a foot—after stepping on a mine near the Chong Bok “Emerald Triangle” along the Ubon Ratchathani–Preah Vihear border. Initially believed to be remnants of Cold War-era ordnance, subsequent military investigations confirmed the explosive was a newly laid Russian-made PMN‑2 anti‑personnel mine Bangkok.

As Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty against Russian aggression, the integrity of its governance remains under international scrutiny. A critical issue now looms: President Volodymyr Zelensky’s potential decision to sign a law limiting the independence of two key institutions—the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). While intended reforms may claim efficiency, the risks associated with weakening these bodies are profound and far-reaching.

The recent capture of the Htee Khee border crossing by the Karen National Union (KNU) is a historic achievement that deserves recognition. This strategic point along the Thailand-Myanmar border is more than a military gain—it represents economic empowerment, political leverage, and a stronger voice for the Karen people. Congratulations are in order for this success, which demonstrates resilience and determination in the struggle for freedom and self-determination.

For years, America’s failure to enforce immigration law has created a public safety and national security crisis. Millions of illegal entries, violent crimes, cartel infiltration, and a fentanyl epidemic have torn through communities. Deportation is not about politics—it is about protecting American lives. And recent history shows what happens when enforcement is ignored. Those committing crimes must immediately be deported, no exception. For those not committing crimes, a path for legal status must occur.

This will provide content highlights of the paper “Kawthoolei: A Nation Forged in the Crucible of War” by Saw Maku Dee

For over 70 years, the Karen people of Burma (Myanmar) have waged one of the world’s longest-running struggles for self-determination. Their dream? A nation called Kawthoolei—a land of peace, justice, and autonomy. In his compelling and deeply researched paper, Kawthoolei: A Nation Forged in the Crucible of War, Dr. Mark Dee chronicles this journey of resistance, resilience, and hope.

In the age of information overload, one of the greatest threats to truth isn't ignorance — it's intentional misinformation, often crafted and distributed by the opposition. In the United States, politicians have perfected the art of the soundbite: short, emotionally charged statements designed to trigger outrage, loyalty, or fear — not understanding.

As Syria’s transitional leadership takes shape under Ahmed al-Sharaa, the world faces a chilling reality: the targeting of religious minorities not only continues—it has evolved. Once viewed as collateral victims in a brutal civil war, Syria’s Christians, Yazidis, Druze, and other minority groups now face state-sanctioned hostility under a regime that cloaks persecution in nationalist rhetoric. The United States must urgently act to defend these communities from systematic erasure.