As usually happens when I find a new issue to debate relating to Burma, I look at the few most recent articles and editorials and then blog about it. Afterwards, I start to google a bit and find that the same debate has been going on for years. The sanctions issue is case and point. In the interest of not being dogmatic, I don't want to reject outright the 'sanctions only hurt the people' argument. But I find that the same rationale get recycled and applied to every country that's ever faced sanctions, and has similarly been re-used over the years in relation to Burma. Perhaps that implies some validity to the argument, but I'd like to see someone come up with some more case-specific examples and reasoning as to why US sanctions are responsible for the economic woes of Burma. Many of the anti-sanction arguments, like 'US constitutes only 10% of foreign investment in Burma', (thus providing no impact when taken away) could actually be used both against and for sanctions.

Anyway, here are some links to both older and recent articles on the issue, which are worth a look-see.

Burma Sanctions: The Case For
Burma - Sanctions vs. Humanitarian Aid
Economic change is not enough to reform Burma
Do sanctions against Burma work?

In other news, there are a few new links in the side bar worth checking out. The Kachin News Group has been around for a while, but just recently revamped their site in English. Their focus, obviously, is on Kachin issues and news from Burma, and the site looks set to become a valuable news resource.

The Independent Mon News Agency is another new site I've come across. At least, it looks new to me, I don't know if I've just missed it until now, or if they have also just recently started an English language page. Either way, it also looks good. So check it out.

And finally, you'll notice the nifty little ad to the right here, for World of Good. Its a fair trade shop, and if you click on the ad and buy something Burma Underground will get an 8% commission. I previously had a little google ad down below but decided to switch because tracking the burma and myanmar ads I didn't want was too much trouble. But anyway, the 8% we get will go to support a few projects currently under development, including an online network to provide free hosting and website development for Burmese Civil Society Organizations and individuals, as well as the Books for Burma Project.