New Zealand MMP Electoral System Faces Fresh Referendum Debate 
Taiwan President Lai Oversees Coastal Strike Drills in Han Kuang War Games 
Canada, US Hold Constructive Trade Talks as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
North Korea May Deploy 120 Missiles to Russia 
South Korea, US Set Major Military Drills for August 
US Expands Social Media Vetting to Foreign Journalists Seeking Visas 
US-Backed Venezuela Government, Opposition Talks Begin 
Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Has Spread Further, Hunter Biden Says 
Myanmar Rejects ASEAN Special Envoy, Challenges Regional Peace Plan 
Colombia President Abelardo De La Espriella Pledges Drug Crackdown, Economic Reforms 
ICE to Complete Nationwide Body Camera Rollout by End of August 
Russian Strikes Kill Six in Eastern and Northern Ukraine, Dozens Injured 
Trump Administration Weighs Executive Order on Vaccines and Autism Research 
US Expects Iran-Oman Hormuz Shipping Deal Soon 
Russian Strikes on Ukraine Kill Six, Wound Dozens in Balakliia and Sumy 
Trump Orders Probe Into Pentagon Munitions Stockpile Leaks After Iran Conflict 
Taiwan Tests Penghu Defense, Mobile Internet Limits in War Drills 
More than a year since seizing power from Myanmar’s elected government, the country remains in civil and political unrest from the crackdown by the military. With the shadow government and other militia groups fiercely resisting the junta, a senior US diplomat said the generals must restore democracy as they will likely not be able to defeat the opposition.
Speaking to Reuters and other news outlets Friday last week, US State Department counselor Derek Chollet said it is unlikely that the junta will be able to defeat those who have opposed their seizing of power and ousting of the elected government. Chollet explained that the junta regime is isolated both locally and internationally and must restore democracy.
“It’s hard to see today how they could realistically think they can win,” said Chollet. “They’re losing territory. Their military is taking serious losses.”
Chollet is visiting Thailand, Brunei, and Singapore to follow up after the US-ASEAN summit. Chollet also said Washington is also coordinating with the regional group and countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia regarding Myanmar aside from imposing sanctions on the junta and that he hopes China could also help in solving the unrest in Myanmar.
The generals seized power from Myanmar’s elected government in February of 2021, which was followed by mass protests opposing the coup. The military engaged in a brutal crackdown, killing hundreds and detaining thousands who opposed their regime. The junta has referred to the coup opponents as “terrorists.”
Previously, the junta criticized the condemnations by the US, the UN, and France for its move to proceed with the death sentences of two prominent coup opponents. According to the state-run news outlet the Global New Light of Myanmar, the junta-backed foreign ministry called the statements “irresponsible and reckless.”
The statement by the junta also called out France for referring to the military regime as “illegitimate.” The junta said the statements by the UN, the US, and France were “abetting terrorism” while accusing France of interfering in its affairs.
“The ministry protests and objects in the strongest terms to the irresponsible and reckless statements and remarks,” said the junta-backed ministry.
