Maybe a glimmer of hope, at least for economic improvement: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/wo....html?src=tptw

probably a key to change over the long term is an increase in economic activity

It will be interesting to see how all of this unfolds. When we were there, no one was very excited about the upcoming elections (no one seemed to believe they would happen), but they were very excited about Obama's speech at ASEAN indicating a willingness to life economic sanctions if political prisoners were released.

I was surprised teh NYT chose such an atypical photo to represent Burma. There is a Muslim minority in Burma, but the overwhelming majority are Buddhist.

Bob - I keep hearing that economic development will lead to political change in China, but so far it hasn't. However, any improvement in Myanmar has to be welcomed.

Actually I didn't think it was a very descriptive photo of Yangon at all. True there is a Moslem section of the city, but that is only a part of the city. Who knows what will happen with the economy and the election.

that woman jumped right out at me too-- odd picture, but remember it is the nyt which always creates confusion and a bias...imo...

i think there has been a huge change in china over the last 20 years, thursdaysd.. think about it...

Yes, there has been a huge change in China, but it hasn't ushered in anything close to democracy, or any meaningful political freedom. Not much religious freedom around either - ask the Muslims and falun gong.

China has freedom FROM religion - something that western countries ought to respect and adopt. The article is happy talk; Burma is not likely to improve anytime soon.

I think it's a pretty good, accurate article. The photo could have been taken in any small street south of Scott Market in the heart of downtown; the area has a very mixed population. I've picked a few bits:

'change is coming, but strictly on the junta’s terms.'

'the main tensions in the country today were within the military itself, not between the generals and Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi'

'the elections had created a window for the economic changes'

The authorities want engagement with, and investment from the outside world, but they also want to retain overall control. Not so different from China and Vietnam, two of their closest partners.