 |
Insight MyanmarInterviews Exploring Myanmar's Quest for Democracy and the Depth of Its Spiritual Traditions Author: Insight Myanmar Podcast
Insight Myanmar is a beacon for those seeking to understand the intricate dynamics of Myanmar. With a commitment to uncovering truth and fostering understanding, the podcast brings together activists, artists, leaders, monastics, and authors to share their first-hand experiences and insights. Each episode delves deep into the struggles, hopes, and resilience of the Burmese people, offering listeners a comprehensive, on-the-ground perspective of the nation's quest for democracy and freedom. And yet, Insight Myanmar is not just a platform for political discourse; it's a sanctuary for spiritual exploration. Our discussions intertwine the struggles for democracy with the deep-rooted meditation traditions of Myanmar, offering a holistic understanding of the nation. We delve into the rich spiritual heritage of the country, tracing the origins of global meditation and mindfulness movements to their roots in Burmese culture. Each episode is a journey through the vibrant landscape of Myanmar's quest for freedom, resilience, and spiritual riches. Join us on this enlightening journey as we amplify the voices that matter most in Myanmar's transformative era. Language: en Genres: Buddhism, News, News Commentary, Religion & Spirituality Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
One Step Back
Episode 641
Friday, 13 November, 2026
Episode #641: “You cannot aim a landmine because you put it in the ground and you wait for whoever to come upon it to step upon it.” Tamar Gabelnick, director of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines–Cluster Munition Coalition, identifies this inability to distinguish soldiers from civilians as the fundamental reason for prohibiting anti-personnel mines. Her work concerns the international effort to establish, defend, and enforce that prohibition, and the growing difficulty of maintaining it during renewed global conflict. The campaign began in 1992, when humanitarian organizations united around the suffering caused by landmines, eventually securing the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. More than 160 countries joined, committing to stop using and producing anti-personnel mines, destroy stockpiles, clear contaminated land, and assist survivors. Yet the agreement relies largely on international scrutiny and political pressure rather than punitive enforcement. Recent developments threaten this progress. Five European countries have withdrawn from the treaty amid fears of Russian aggression, while Ukraine has attempted to suspend its obligations during wartime. Gabelnick disputes claims that landmines provide indispensable defensive advantages and warns that renewed manufacturing could revive an international trade that had effectively disappeared. Myanmar presents an even greater challenge. Outside the treaty system, its military continues using mines despite their consequences for civilians, leaving international advocates with limited leverage. Gabelnick identifies documentation, risk education, and engagement with non-state armed groups as possible interventions, including efforts to discourage improvised mines whose batteries are intended to expire. Such devices remain dangerous even after losing power, because their explosives must still be removed. With international public awareness declining and humanitarian organizations facing limited resources, the campaign must defend earlier achievements while confronting conflicts in which armed actors continue creating new contamination. Myanmar's immediate difficulty is that even the limited opportunities to discourage further mine use depend on reaching those who are still planting the weapons.
