Commentary: Why has the West given billions in army help to Ukraine, however just about ignored Myanmar?

In distinction, for a century or extra, Ukraine has been a relentless web site for strategic competitors, particularly within the duels between Western powers and the federal government in Moscow. The assaults on Ukraine over the previous decade by a nuclear-armed Russia are subsequently seen by Western powers as a first-order geopolitical risk.

As such, the US alone dedicated about US$50 billion in whole help to Ukraine in 2022, about half of which was army help.

With Myanmar a far much less vital web site of battle, a lot of the worldwide group (together with the regional physique of Southeast Asian states, ASEAN) have been reluctant to supply army assist for the resistance fighters.

Traditionally, weapons smuggled into Myanmar to assist anti-government armies have used neighbouring international locations, most notably Thailand and India, because the gateways. At the moment, nonetheless, the leaders in Bangkok and New Delhi are reluctant to get too entangled in Myanmar’s mess. Additionally they have their very own insurgencies to control.

When weapons and materiel do circulate into Myanmar at this time, they’re moved quietly, with as a lot deniability as may be marshalled. With no Western authorities publicly supplying the resistance with weapons, the fighters are resorting to crowdfunding to purchase weapons and utilizing explosives pieced along with salvaged steel.

In the meantime, the army junta has constructed up an enormous arsenal of weapons bought from Russia and China, or made domestically utilizing provides from firms in international locations just like the US, Japan and France.

This text was initially revealed by channelnewsasia.com. Learn the unique article right here.