The Myanmar military will mark Armed Forces Day on Wednesday with a parade in the purpose-built capital of Naypyidaw. Usually that means thousands of armed troops from all three branches marching in formation, while tanks roll through the streets and fighter jets screech overhead.
But the show of strength will do little to paper over the reality – Myanmar’s military is at its weakest point in decades. Perhaps not since 1949, when the Karen National Union captured the Insein neighbourhood, in the then-capital Yangon, has the military been so humiliated on the battlefield.
