Myanmar – Robert Walsh

In Episode #41, we turn our attention to developing events in Myanmar with Robert Walsh, a project manager with deep expertise in the country. We discuss:

• Robert's trajectory from Burmese studies in the U.S. military to private sector work in Myanmar as the country's economy opened up.

• The drop in U.S. engagement with Myanmar under the Trump administration and how it emboldened the Tatmadaw, Myanmar's military.

• Latest developments following the coup by the Tatmadaw and accompanying detention of civilian leaders.

• Aung San Suu Kyi and the complexities surrounding her iconic figure.

• The Rohingya issue.

• Myanmar's prospects for growth in the face of Tatmadaw intervention in the economy.

Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:

• Robert:

  • Bertil Lintner's books on Myanmar

  • Myanmar Times

  • Frontier Myanmar

• Fred:

  • Fragrant oil, rare fungi, big bucks, by Ann Wang (Frontier Myanmar)

We’ll see you next week when we sit down with David Knapp from Ornavera to discuss technological developments in global agriculture.