A resident of Myanmar’s largest city reports an eerie lack of campaign activity and overwhelming voter apathy just days before the junta’s December 28 election.

Residents say only the military proxy party and one rival are visibly campaigning ahead of Sunday’s vote, as turnout drive dominates Myanmar’s discredited poll.

Under the guise of improving connectivity for one of Thailand’s poorest provinces, China really wants to build a logistics corridor for its Belt and Road Initiative, warns Nang Hkur Mao.

The four, who lacked valid documentation, confessed they had been ordered to smuggle the bulky cargo drones home to Myanmar in pieces and deliver them to their “boss.” ...

While the regime is threatening people to force them to vote, resistance groups are intimidating them in order to prevent them from casting their ballot, warns UN human rights chief.

In this week’s talk, our editors argue that reviving the deeply unpopular, profoundly destructive Myitsone Dam project is the price the junta must pay for China’s support.

Warning came on the same day as regime floated restart of the long-suspended Myitsone Dam in war-torn Kachin State.

Region by region, state by state, The Irrawaddy breaks down the parts of the country where the regime will be able to hold its election—and the picture does not inspire confidence.

Regime says its troops have cut off escape route for Mandalay resistance forces after retaking Singu town on the Sagaing border.

Persona non grata in much of the world, widely derided as incompetent, the diminutive junta boss hopes to legitimize his power through polls that start this week.

Min Aung Hlaing declares refusing to vote in military-held December 28 election amounts to rejecting democratic progress.

KIO and KIA say public opposition to hydropower project stronger than ever, amid earthquake risk, environmental destruction and mass displacement.