David Brenner
@davidbrenner.bsky.social
Assoc Prof in IR at Sussex Global Studies | Student of borderworlds, conflict & karaoke in and around Myanmar | Author of Rebel Politics: https://bit.ly/RebPol
As England drowns in Union Jacks and St George’s flags, local politicians’ statements of solidarity with ethnic minorities are welcome. But their mantra-like claims that far-right nationalism is supported by only a small fraction are irresponsible, especially with Reform UK 8 points ahead in polls.
September 2, 2025 at 10:07 AM
As England drowns in Union Jacks and St George’s flags, local politicians’ statements of solidarity with ethnic minorities are welcome. But their mantra-like claims that far-right nationalism is supported by only a small fraction are irresponsible, especially with Reform UK 8 points ahead in polls.
Much looking forward to meeting old friends at a fundraiser event organized by the Kachin diaspora in London tomorrow. Already got part of the menu leaked 😋😋😋 everyone welcome!
May 23, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Much looking forward to meeting old friends at a fundraiser event organized by the Kachin diaspora in London tomorrow. Already got part of the menu leaked 😋😋😋 everyone welcome!
Haven’t yet decided on your weekend reading but keen to delve into the ever-evolving politics and drastically expanding governance of rebel movements in Myanmar’s war and revolution?
No worries if you missed it last week. My new article is open access & just one click away: doi.org/10.1080/0047...
No worries if you missed it last week. My new article is open access & just one click away: doi.org/10.1080/0047...
May 23, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Haven’t yet decided on your weekend reading but keen to delve into the ever-evolving politics and drastically expanding governance of rebel movements in Myanmar’s war and revolution?
No worries if you missed it last week. My new article is open access & just one click away: doi.org/10.1080/0047...
No worries if you missed it last week. My new article is open access & just one click away: doi.org/10.1080/0047...
Looking forward to hosting Gerard McCarthy at Sussex next week for this event on Myanmar.
This is an in-person event at the School of Global Studies. But it makes for a good excuse to come by the coast!
This is an in-person event at the School of Global Studies. But it makes for a good excuse to come by the coast!
May 7, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Looking forward to hosting Gerard McCarthy at Sussex next week for this event on Myanmar.
This is an in-person event at the School of Global Studies. But it makes for a good excuse to come by the coast!
This is an in-person event at the School of Global Studies. But it makes for a good excuse to come by the coast!
MSF has tried to do things differently. It has thus been kicked out of places in Myanmar before. They are now still waiting for access and will most likely wait forever. Don't get me wrong MSF is a fantastic organisation and your money will be put to good use, most likely not in Myanmar though. 6/6
April 1, 2025 at 8:32 AM
MSF has tried to do things differently. It has thus been kicked out of places in Myanmar before. They are now still waiting for access and will most likely wait forever. Don't get me wrong MSF is a fantastic organisation and your money will be put to good use, most likely not in Myanmar though. 6/6
Patronising ignorance!
International organisations either abide by the junta's restrictions on access (UNICEF, ICRC) or will not be given full access (MSF).
The people of Myanmar unfortunately have to rely on their own humanitarian solidarity networks. By all means give to them!
More here🧵1/6
International organisations either abide by the junta's restrictions on access (UNICEF, ICRC) or will not be given full access (MSF).
The people of Myanmar unfortunately have to rely on their own humanitarian solidarity networks. By all means give to them!
More here🧵1/6
April 1, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Patronising ignorance!
International organisations either abide by the junta's restrictions on access (UNICEF, ICRC) or will not be given full access (MSF).
The people of Myanmar unfortunately have to rely on their own humanitarian solidarity networks. By all means give to them!
More here🧵1/6
International organisations either abide by the junta's restrictions on access (UNICEF, ICRC) or will not be given full access (MSF).
The people of Myanmar unfortunately have to rely on their own humanitarian solidarity networks. By all means give to them!
More here🧵1/6
And don’t forget to pat your own shoulder for the hardship endured!
March 17, 2025 at 8:12 AM
And don’t forget to pat your own shoulder for the hardship endured!
To be honest, I don't really know where Myanmar is heading. I don't think anyone does. There are too many moving parts.
But it'll be good to reflect on them together and I much look forward to this conversation on Thursday. Join us if you are free!
cpg-online.de/cpg-event/fo...
But it'll be good to reflect on them together and I much look forward to this conversation on Thursday. Join us if you are free!
cpg-online.de/cpg-event/fo...
February 18, 2025 at 9:41 AM
To be honest, I don't really know where Myanmar is heading. I don't think anyone does. There are too many moving parts.
But it'll be good to reflect on them together and I much look forward to this conversation on Thursday. Join us if you are free!
cpg-online.de/cpg-event/fo...
But it'll be good to reflect on them together and I much look forward to this conversation on Thursday. Join us if you are free!
cpg-online.de/cpg-event/fo...
With the state of British politics and economy, I had often wished to move back to Germany. Not anymore. Where to? The third that votes for the outright fascist AfD or the two thirds that votes for the German version of the Tories, led by a populist investment banker who imitates AfD policies?
January 25, 2025 at 9:42 AM
With the state of British politics and economy, I had often wished to move back to Germany. Not anymore. Where to? The third that votes for the outright fascist AfD or the two thirds that votes for the German version of the Tories, led by a populist investment banker who imitates AfD policies?
I much look forward to Avinash Paliwal's book talk at Sussex Global Studies next Friday 22 Nov. Come and join if you are in Brighton!
November 15, 2024 at 10:56 AM
I much look forward to Avinash Paliwal's book talk at Sussex Global Studies next Friday 22 Nov. Come and join if you are in Brighton!
Somehow made it into my thesis though…
September 22, 2024 at 10:16 PM
Somehow made it into my thesis though…
There isn’t of course. But there was this official announcement from them 👇
October 28, 2023 at 2:39 PM
There isn’t of course. But there was this official announcement from them 👇
I am not exactly a religious person. But I firmly believe that if Messiah was to come they would surely arrive in the form of a Thai grandma running a roadside BBQ!
October 28, 2023 at 2:36 PM
I am not exactly a religious person. But I firmly believe that if Messiah was to come they would surely arrive in the form of a Thai grandma running a roadside BBQ!
English translation of their statement now available 👇
October 27, 2023 at 3:07 PM
English translation of their statement now available 👇
Things are fast moving at the Chinese border in Myanmar’s northern Shan State today: The rebel Brotherhood Alliance - MNDAA, TNLA, AA - take over border crossings, army camps, highways, and gambling/scamming compounds operated by the Burma Army and its proxies. Ramifications will be significant!
October 27, 2023 at 6:16 AM
Things are fast moving at the Chinese border in Myanmar’s northern Shan State today: The rebel Brotherhood Alliance - MNDAA, TNLA, AA - take over border crossings, army camps, highways, and gambling/scamming compounds operated by the Burma Army and its proxies. Ramifications will be significant!
Solidarity from Myanmar's KNDF to Rojava: "From one revolutionary movement to another, whom the international community has turned a blind eye to: We see your struggle. We see your fight for liberation & justice. The absence of those who stand up against evil is more terrifying than evil itself"
October 16, 2023 at 11:12 AM
Solidarity from Myanmar's KNDF to Rojava: "From one revolutionary movement to another, whom the international community has turned a blind eye to: We see your struggle. We see your fight for liberation & justice. The absence of those who stand up against evil is more terrifying than evil itself"
It’s long been difficult to keep track of the myriad of non-state armed groups in Myanmar. Today the country is home to > 1,500 NSAGs (47% of active NSAGs globally). I took me an entire PhD thesis to understand some of the intricate politics of *two* of those groups.
Conflictsky
Conflictsky
October 13, 2023 at 8:52 AM
It’s long been difficult to keep track of the myriad of non-state armed groups in Myanmar. Today the country is home to > 1,500 NSAGs (47% of active NSAGs globally). I took me an entire PhD thesis to understand some of the intricate politics of *two* of those groups.
Conflictsky
Conflictsky
Ten years ago I spoke with the Thai local chamber of commerce here at the Thai-Myanmar border. They promoted a new Mae Sot-Myawaddy transborder special economic zone. All what’s left today is the depressing sight of Burmese people selling cigarettes through barbwire to survive.
October 10, 2023 at 7:44 AM
Ten years ago I spoke with the Thai local chamber of commerce here at the Thai-Myanmar border. They promoted a new Mae Sot-Myawaddy transborder special economic zone. All what’s left today is the depressing sight of Burmese people selling cigarettes through barbwire to survive.
Meanwhile in one of the many places that the world couldn’t care less about… another horrendous massacre by the genocidal junta in Myanmar. Solidarity with the Kachin people!
October 10, 2023 at 1:52 AM
Meanwhile in one of the many places that the world couldn’t care less about… another horrendous massacre by the genocidal junta in Myanmar. Solidarity with the Kachin people!
Happy to start in this other place from this other place called sabbatical!
September 25, 2023 at 1:16 PM
Happy to start in this other place from this other place called sabbatical!