Burma's government and political leaders are now paying a bitter price for allowing the reform process to be undermined by violence, racism and hatred.

An accurate estimate of the population is crucial for conducting elections. The absence of one in Burma illuminates the nature of authoritarian rule in the country, says David Scott Mathieson.

The traces of optimism that had surrounded Burma’s first notionally democratic experience for two decades vanish on closer inspection of the outcome, says David Scott Mathieson in Chiang Mai.

The Burmese junta’s sophisticated and ruthless project of reinvention - “SPDC 2.0” - is preparing the way for an extension of its rule in civilian guise, says David Scott Mathieson.