Far from being fatally weakened, as many analysts predicted, the military regime is coming back stronger and taking back lost territory. Have we been asking the wrong questions all along?

The talks, which will include Min Aung Hlaing and four ASEAN foreign ministers, aim to assess the regime’s upcoming election and push the bloc’s stalled peace plan.

Bangkok court dismisses charges, but the future of his political dynasty still hangs in the balance as his daughter, PM Paetongtarn, faces her own ruling next week.

The United Wa State Party said Beijing’s sanctions had forced it to end military and financial aid to its allies the TNLA, MNDAA and SSPP.