Myanmar's Enemy Within
Buddhist Violence and the Making of a Muslim 'Other'
Обзор книги Myanmar's Enemy Within
Francis Wade's explosive investigation reveals how Buddhist nationalism transformed Myanmar's Rohingya into dangerous "others," sparking ethnic cleansing that shocked the world. Cited by human rights organizations globally, this book exposes how religious identity becomes weaponized - and why Aung San Suu Kyi's silence speaks volumes.
Ключевые темы в Myanmar's Enemy Within
- religious nationalism
- ethnic cleansing
- exclusionary citizenship
- colonial identity construction
- democratic transition risks
Цитаты из Myanmar's Enemy Within
building a fence with our bones.
division became the natural order
ethnicizing the landscape
violence didn't emerge spontaneously
Персонажи в Myanmar's Enemy Within
- Francis WadeAuthor and journalist who examined Myanmar
- Ban Ki-moonFormer UN Secretary-General
Об авторе
Об авторе книги Myanmar's Enemy Within
Francis Wade is an award-winning journalist and Southeast Asia expert, renowned for his incisive analysis of religious conflict and political transitions.
His critically acclaimed book Myanmar’s Enemy Within: Buddhist Violence and the Making of a Muslim ‘Other’ (2017) examines the systemic persecution of the Rohingya, blending investigative rigor with historical context.
A former reporter for Democratic Voice of Burma, Wade has covered Myanmar’s military rule and democratic reforms since 2009, contributing to The Guardian, Washington Post, and Foreign Policy. His work has been featured in the New York Review of Books and TIME, where his book was praised as “bold and brave.”
A Poynter Fellow at Yale University and UCL graduate with an MSc in political science (Distinction), Wade combines field reporting with academic depth. Myanmar’s Enemy Within has been translated into multiple languages and cited as essential reading on modern ethnic crises, solidifying his authority in conflict journalism and human rights advocacy.
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Часто задаваемые вопросы об этой книге
Myanmar's Enemy Within examines how political and military forces manipulated Buddhist identity and historical narratives to fuel anti-Muslim violence, particularly against the Rohingya minority. The book traces the military’s exploitation of nationalism since the 1962 coup, colonial-era divisions, and the transition to partial democracy under Aung San Suu Kyi, which failed to curb systemic persecution.
This book is essential for students of political science, journalists, and readers interested in Southeast Asian conflicts, ethnic nationalism, or human rights. It offers critical insights into state-sponsored discrimination and the complexities of Myanmar’s democratic transition.
Francis Wade is a journalist specializing in Myanmar and Southeast Asia, with over a decade of reporting for outlets like TIME, The Guardian, and New York Review of Books. His work focuses on military rule, ethnic violence, and political transitions in the region.
Wade argues the Rohingya’s statelessness stems from decades of military-engineered Buddhist nationalism, which reframed them as foreign “kalar” (a derogatory term for South Asians). Post-2011 reforms allowed extremist groups and civilians to weaponize these narratives, leading to mass violence and displacement in 2012 and 2017.
The book highlights how colonial policies rigidified ethnic categories, privileging Burman Buddhists while marginalizing minorities like the Rohingya. These divisions were later exploited by Myanmar’s military to consolidate power and justify exclusionary nationalism.
Wade notes Suu Kyi’s administration ignored or downplayed anti-Rohingya violence, fearing backlash from Buddhist nationalists. Her failure to challenge military dominance and protect minorities undermined Myanmar’s democratic transition.
- “So violently had notions of identity... been manipulated... that [they] formed a core part of the search for the new Myanmar”.
- “Fear of reversal of status” drove Buddhist mobs to attack former Rohingya neighbors.
Yes, for its rigorous analysis of how statecraft and ideology perpetuate violence. While some critics note uneven factual depth, Wade’s firsthand reporting provides a nuanced perspective on a complex crisis.
Unlike historical accounts, Wade focuses on the militarized construction of identity. It complements works like Azeem Ibrahim’s The Rohingyas by detailing how grassroots complicity enabled state-led persecution.
Wade suggests addressing militarized nationalism and reforming citizenship laws to include Rohingya. However, he critiques international actors for prioritizing democratization over human rights, exacerbating divisions.
Despite Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, the book remains vital for understanding entrenched sectarianism. Its analysis of cyclical violence and failed governance informs current discussions on accountability and aid.
Some scholars argue Wade overemphasizes elite manipulation, underplaying grassroots Buddhist agency in violence. Others note gaps in exploring Rohingya perspectives or post-2017 developments.
