Burma: Lesson Learned?

In my last posting, I noted how international "outrage" wasn't going to change anything in Burma. I also complained about lack of media coverage of why Burma's government can't so easily be tossed aside: it's got billions in revenue from the export of its natural resources.

So, I was pleasantly surprised today that the media, in some quarters, does seem to understand how politics really works. A report from Paul Reynolds on the BBC today noted: "The military crackdown in Burma is a reminder that street demonstrations do not necessarily lead to success for popular uprisings." Although the report did not mention the important economic factors, it at least adds this: "External pressure, in the form of international condemnation and talk of sanctions, has not been strong enough to be decisive."