Internal Affairs

HEADLINES

Starbucks Korea “Tank Day” tumbler promotion caused massive backlash.

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | June 17, 2026

The campaign promoted their new “Tank Series” (탱크 시리즈) stainless steel tumblers, described as having a “spacious volume” for bigger drinks. It launched on May 18 (the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, where military tanks were used in the crackdown), with the English phrase “Tank Day” and Korean slogans like “집중이 필요한 바로 그…

Nepal’s revolution reveals insanity in analysis and oxymoron in information consumers

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 16, 2025

People/analysts had been obsessed over their conspiracy theories on whether Nepal is a CIA/West initiated color revolution… ….but no one really cares what the population really think/feel. The Nepali people are very happy with the overthrowing of the government. “wehatethecold” shows the reality after the overthrow with the military curfew – unfiltered. You really need…

Woke is not political… and why the Woke are Elks now facing introduced wolves…

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 16, 2025

Personally, I think what is missing in today’s age – which I learnt it the hard way when I entered adulthood – was the concept of taking responsibility for what you say and do; and that your feelings dont matter at all In reality, no one cares how you feel, and you have to learn…

China is in dire straits, mirroring Japan’s decline into stagnation; but so are all of us…

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | June 1, 2025

Paolo ask, in DPA Chat: “Hey Wyatt, Can we get some more info on the Chinese economic slowdown signs? I wish i could read more about it, but as you said there are zero official sources And I’m South American so i can’t speak Chinese to save my life. My girlfriend is Chinese though, but…

What is Authoritarianism (in practise)?

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | May 19, 2025

In a real authoritarian regime – they would basically force you into (doing) things against your rights or at least it messes you in your head about what is okay or not okay… I would say long time ago, Singapore used to be considered authoritarian (under the premiership of Lee Kuan Yew) For example in…

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ARTICLES

[ The Irrawaddy ] Visions of a Federal Future for Myanmar are Fading Fast

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

In fact, the AA has been more assertive, not just in words but also in deeds. Since November 2020, when a ceasefire was tacitly agreed between the AA and the Myanmar military, the AA has carried out its ambitious plan to tighten its grip on Rakhine State. With the military occupied with suppressing resistance to…

[ The Diplomat ] Arakan Army Seeks to Build ‘Inclusive’ Administration in Rakhine State

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

Seven months since the military coup in Myanmar, the political wing of the rebel Arakan Army (AA) has significantly expanded its administrative and judicial mechanisms across Rakhine State in western Myanmar, with hundreds of its personnel now effectively administering the region independently of the military junta that rules in Naypyidaw. The group is also attempting…

Arakan Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) to cease military operation against the Tatmadaw in view of COVID-19 pandemic

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

The Three Brotherhood Alliance has urged groups to minimize, avoid, and stop military operations that affect the security of the people. The alliance consists of the Arakan Army (AA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. The Three Brotherhood Alliance said in their statement that they wanted this in order…

[ Reuters ] How family of a Myanmar junta leader are trying to cash in

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

A review of an archived version of the account, which has since been shut down, revealed the username was a pseudonym belonging to Ivan Htet, the 33-year-old son of a leading figure in the coup: the chief of the air force, Maung Maung Kyaw. But Ivan Htet hasn’t just been an enthusiastic supporter on social…

[ Mothership ] Thai protesters continue street rallies demanding PM to resign over failure to handle Covid-19

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 8, 2021

In a bid to oust the Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, daily protests are expected to continue at the same location in the coming days, Nattawut reportedly told protestors on Sep. 5. The most recent protests at Asoke marked a step up from the previous “car mob” protests, where people swarmed the streets of Bangkok…

[ Myanmar Now ] Myanmar’s shadow government declares ‘resistance war’ against military junta

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 7, 2021

Myanmar’s acting president Duwa Lashi La of the National Unity Government (NUG) announced on Tuesday that the people’s “resistance war” against the junta had started and urged the public across the country to revolt against the military coup regime led by Min Aung Hlaing.  In an seven-minute emergency speech, the acting president also called on…

[ NPR ] Guinea’s Military Declared A Coup. What Happens Next Is Uncertain

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 7, 2021

One day after the military stormed the president of Guinea’s palace and took him into custody, the coup’s leader ordered ministers from the ousted government not to depart the country and to hand over their official vehicles. The coup began Sunday with reports of heavy gunfire near the presidential palace in Conakry, the country’s capital.…

Taliban has captured Panjshir, the final resistance in Afghanistan

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 7, 2021

Despite multiple conflicting reports from both side’s supporters, it is becoming clearer that Panjshir have effectively fallen to the Taliban. Taliban had taken the Panjshir governor house and raised the Taliban flag symbolically. The Taliban showed video of them capturing a few more of the Aghan National Air Force helicopters that had previously fled to…

[ Reuters ] Taliban launch charm offensive with Afghan banks amid funding fears

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 5, 2021

The new, Taliban-appointed head of Afghanistan’s central bank has sought to reassure banks the group wants a fully-functioning financial system, but has so far provided little detail on how it will supply funds to sustain it, said four bankers familiar with the matter. The acting central bank governor, Haji Mohammad Idris, met members of the…

[ AFP ] Malaysia makes ousted PM head of virus-hit country’s recovery body

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 5, 2021

Muhyiddin Yassin fell from power last month after rising anger over his government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. But a cabinet decision has now appointed him as the coronavirus body’s chairman as well as a minister, government chief secretary Mohamad Zuki Ali said. Mohamad said the ex-leader, who ruled for 17 months, would “lead the…

[ New York Post ] I ran Team Trump’s Afghan withdrawal — Biden’s attempt to blame us is just sad

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 5, 2021

I’m intimately familiar with former President Donald Trump’s Afghanistan strategy. In November 2020, I was named chief of staff at the Pentagon, where one of my primary responsibilities was to wind down the forever war in Afghanistan. Trump instructed me to arrange a conditions-based, methodical exit plan that would preserve the national interest. The plan…

Japan PM Yoshihide Suga will not be running for re-election of LDP party leadership

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 3, 2021

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Friday (Sept 3) he will not run for his ruling party’s leadership, effectively ending his tenure and throwing wide open the race for the next premier. The shock decision after just a year in office comes with Mr Suga’s approval ratings at an all-time low over his government’s…

[ Daily Mail ] Pentagon orders ALL active military to get the vaccine as soon as possible: 800,000 service members still haven’t gotten a shot and could face court martial if they don’t

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 2, 2021

More than 800,000 service members out of around 1.4 million still need to get their shots, according to Pentagon data Of active duty forces, 68 percent are fully vaccinated and 76 percent have at least one dose The Army has the lowest vaccination rate, where 40% are fully vaccinated and 57% have one dose Kirby…

[ Newlines Mag ] The Taliban’s Struggle to Control Kabul

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 28, 2021

Before formally entering Kabul, the Taliban had already secreted men into the city, where they were biding their time, ready to take over the capital. But the quick collapse of the capital caught even them unprepared. The units assigned to secure the city were still busy clearing the outskirts of the capital and neighboring provinces…

[ TOLO News ] Massoud, Taliban Agree to Not Fight Until Next Round of Talks

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 27, 2021

Supporters of Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the resistance front against the Taliban, and Taliban representatives held their first meeting on Wednesday afternoon in the center of Parwan province to seek an alternative to fighting.   The resistance front delegation was composed of 12 people led by Almas Zahid, a former Mujahideen commander, and the…

[ Politico ] U.S. officials provided Taliban with names of Americans, Afghan allies to evacuate

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 27, 2021

U.S. officials in Kabul gave the Taliban a list of names of American citizens, green card holders and Afghan allies to grant entry into the militant-controlled outer perimeter of the city’s airport, a choice that’s prompted outrage behind the scenes from lawmakers and military officials. The move, detailed to POLITICO by three U.S. and congressional…

[ Gateway Pundit ] US State Department Goes Into Hiding, Cancels Press Briefing After 4 US Marines Killed, 3 Injured in Kabul Blasts

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 27, 2021

The State Department on Thursday canceled its press briefing after 4 US Marines were killed and at least 3 others were injured in the Kabul blasts. There were two explosions reported outside the Kabul Airport on Thursday. The Biden White House has canceled all meetings and press briefings so far. DPA Notes: The lack of…

[ The News Pakistan ] From battlefield to power table: Khalil Haqqani emerges as key player

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 25, 2021

KABUL, Afghanistan: He has a $5 million bounty on his head and a triumphant smile on his face. The head money marked by the US Treasury Department for Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani has lost much of its significance in the fast-changing circumstances of Afghanistan. Khalil, a scion of the feared Haqqani Network, is not an ordinary man…