Democratic People's Republic of the Union of Myanmar

Myanmar, officially the Democratic People's Republic of the Union of Myanmar, also known as Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia, and had a population of about 54 million in 2017. It is bordered by Bangladesh and India to its northwest, China to its northeast, Laos and Thailand to its east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its south and southwest. The country's capital city is Naypyidaw, and its largest city is Yangon.

## History

### Global Espionage War

In 2013, Burma was in a state of political crisis, with a disputed election result and widespread protests against the military-backed government. Amid this turmoil, a coalition of left-wing and communist groups emerged, calling for a revolutionary overthrow of the government and the establishment of a socialist state.

This coalition, led by a charismatic and ruthless leader named Than Shwe, was heavily influenced by foreign communist nations, including China and North Korea, which provided funding, ideological support, and training for the revolutionaries. The coalition quickly gained popular support among the urban poor and rural workers, who were disillusioned with the corrupt and inept government.

Than Shwe used anti-Western and anti-American sentiment to rally support for the revolution, portraying the government as puppets of foreign powers and accusing them of perpetuating Western imperialism and exploitation. He also highlighted the failures of Western-style democracy and capitalism, promising to create a new society based on socialist principles.

In early 2014, the coalition launched a coordinated attack on government buildings and military installations, using guerrilla tactics and propaganda to win over the hearts and minds of the people. The military, already weakened by internal divisions and a lack of popular support, quickly crumbled, and the coalition declared victory.

Than Shwe became the new leader of Burma, declaring himself Chairman of the People's Revolutionary Council, and establishing a new government based on Marxist ideology. The country was rebranded as the Socialist Republic of Burma, and a new constitution was drafted, centralizing power in the hands of the Communist Party and restricting political freedoms and civil liberties.

### Burmese Leap Forward

By the second year of their rule, Than Shwe's government undertook a massive economic development plan modeled after China's Great Leap Forward. This plan, called the "Burmese Leap Forward," aimed to rapidly industrialize the country and increase agricultural production through collectivization and forced labor.

However, the plan failed spectacularly, leading to widespread famine, economic collapse, and social unrest. Than Shwe's government responded to the crisis by cracking down on dissidents, opponents, and even innocents, using brutal tactics reminiscent of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. The state police force, the Burmese People's Security Agency (BPSA), was given expanded powers to suppress opposition, and many innocent civilians were once again caught up in its dragnet.

The failure of the Burmese Leap Forward caused great disillusionment with the new government, and many former supporters of the revolution turned against Than Shwe's regime. Protests and uprisings broke out across the country, and the government responded with even more brutal crackdowns. Than Shwe and his inner circle became increasingly paranoid and reclusive, fearing assassination and betrayal from within. They launched a series of purges against dissidents and opponents, and many innocent civilians were caught up in the violence.

By the end of the second year of Than Shwe's rule, Burma had become a one-party communist state, with all opposition silenced and dissent brutally suppressed. The country had become a pariah state in the international community, and the legacy of the Burmese Leap Forward would haunt the country for generations to come.

## Government, Politics and Law Enforcement

### Burmese People's Security Agency

In the aftermath of the revolution, the new government established a state police force modeled after the NKVD in the Soviet Union. This organization, called the "Burmese People's Security Agency" (BPSA), is tasked with maintaining internal security and rooting out dissidents and opponents of the regime.

The BPSA quickly gained a reputation for brutality and ruthlessness, with reports of torture, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, and disappearances becoming commonplace. Its agents are granted sweeping powers to arrest and detain suspects without trial, often summarily executing any individuals they claim to be dissidents.