As I have noted in the previous weeks, my assignment to Pakistan was changed to Burma for summer of 2024. Although I was looking forward to moving to Peshawar, I am elated to be moving to Rangoon next summer. The food, the pagodas, the colonial architecture, the people. Rangoon is probably one of the last capitals in SE Asia that hasn’t been hit with an overwhelming crush of tourism, and having been somewhat isolated in international politics of the last few decades, remains fairly raw. With that in mind, I thought it would be a great opportunity to share a little about where I will be moving next summer that makes this country so fascinating.
Located in Southeast Asia near Thailand, Bangladesh, and Laos, sandwiched between major powers India and China, with its British colonial history, Burma today is reflection of all these influences. After nearly a thousand years of various dynastic rule, the British in the middle of the 19th century seized control of most of lower Burma, including the largest city Rangoon, and over the decades, increased their gains until taking control of the entire country in 1886.
It remained in British control with the exception of a period during WWII when it was occupied by Japan, and in 1948 obtained full independence. The years following independence have been tumultuous to say the least. Except for a brief period of democrat rule following independence, Burma has been largely ruled by their military, who staged a coup for power in 1962, and again in 2021 after a brief period of civilian rule.
The Burma/Myanmar of today is a country with a population of nearly 60 million people from a variety of ethnic groups. Buddhism is the dominant religion of nearly 90% of the population, with sizable minorities of Christians and Muslims. It is a land of Pagodas, and probably what Burma is most famous for.
The capital city of Rangoon/Yangon is a bustling metro of over 7 million people in Southern Burma, nestled near the coast on the Yangon River. An interesting blend of colonial building, pagodas, modern architecture, older buildings with poor upkeep, and SE Asian jungle really give the city a unique appearance unlike anything else in the region.
Established in 1947, the U.S. relationship with the Burmese is largely focused on support for the people of Burma, helping it transition to a democratic system of governance. This has proven somewhat difficult since the coup of 2021, but the Embassy remains committed to the mission and to the Burmese people, and the work goes on.
This is just a VERY small bit of information about Burma, but if you are like me and immensely fascinated with the country, I recommend reading The River of Lost Footsteps: A Personal History of Burma by Thant Myint-U (grandson of former U.N. Secretary General U-Thant). A wonderfully crafted book that helps explain the Burma of today through the lens of its rich and complex history. I picked it up on a Friday via Amazon Kindle app, and less than a day later I was finished with it. Well worth the read! -Nick
