Arms Politics: Becoming and Being a Weapon in the Borderlands of Myanmar

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

In the borderlands of Myanmar, weapons function not merely as tools of violence but as active political and social entities that shape the identities and power dynamics of various state and non-state armed groups. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

K Chen

doi:10.1080/08865655.2026.2698949

July 8, 2026Journal of Borderlands Studies

Arms Politics: Becoming and Being a Weapon in the Borderlands of Myanmar

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Key Points

This research investigates the dynamics of armed conflict and the identity of participants in Myanmar's borderlands.
Qualitative analysis of armed conflict dynamics
Interviews with key stakeholders in the region
Exploration of political and social identities related to weapons.
Identification of key players in the armed conflict, including Tatmadaw and ethnic groups.
Insights into how identities are shaped by involvement in armed groups.
Recommendations for understanding peacebuilding efforts in the context of ongoing violence.

Implication

Qualitative analysis explores armed conflicts and identities in Myanmar's borderlands, highlighting implications for peace.

Abstract

Despite Myanmar's borderlands witnessing some of the most severe armed conflict since the 1940s – involving the Tatmadaw, ethnic armed groups, Tatmadaw-affiliated militias, and local self-defense f...

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Cite This Study

K Chen (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a508e5b6eeac72a437a151f https://doi.org/10.1080/08865655.2026.2698949

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Arms Politics: Becoming and Being a Weapon in the Borderlands of Myanmar

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Arms Politics: Becoming and Being a Weapon in the Borderlands of Myanmar

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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