Burma’s joke elections

Burma’s military leaders will do just about anything to prevent opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi — whose party won the 1990 elections, which the generals then ignored — from participating in their sham 2010 elections. The country’s new constitution prohibits candidates who marry foreigners. As a result, Suu Kyi’s British husband, who died in ...

Burma's military leaders will do just about anything to prevent opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi -- whose party won the 1990 elections, which the generals then ignored -- from participating in their sham 2010 elections. The country's new constitution prohibits candidates who marry foreigners. As a result, Suu Kyi's British husband, who died in 1999, apparently disqualifies her.

Burma’s military leaders will do just about anything to prevent opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi — whose party won the 1990 elections, which the generals then ignored — from participating in their sham 2010 elections. The country’s new constitution prohibits candidates who marry foreigners. As a result, Suu Kyi’s British husband, who died in 1999, apparently disqualifies her.

Carolyn O'Hara is a senior editor at Foreign Policy.

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.