Stalemate: Autonomy and Insurgency on the China-Myanmar Border
Often brushed aside as mere rebels or linked to drug trade, the United Wa State Army defies conventional expectations.
Stalemate: Autonomy and Insurgency on the China-Myanmar Border Book cover
On the lush hills of the Myanmar-China border stands an autonomous self-governing polity in Myanmar, the Wa State. It is de facto independent from the rest of the country and has its own political system, administrative divisions and army. Stalemate delves into the captivating history and contemporary political landscape of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), an insurgent force with 20,000-30,000 active forces that stands as Asia’s most formidable.
This narrative of ethnographic exploration paints a vivid picture of an upland community, often brushed aside as mere rebels or linked to drug trade, yet proficiently upholding a unique autonomy that navigates between two dominant states. Rather than sidestepping the neighboring states, the Wa polity actively engages with them, a dynamic that unfolds against the backdrop of sovereignty and statehood struggles.
Through the lens of Andrew Ong’s meticulous analysis, in Stalemate: Autonomy and Insurgency on the China-Myanmar Border readers are led through the political culture entrenched within Wa elites and the general populace, the complex web of UWSA’s international connections, and the intricate capital flows in conjunction with China, illuminating the orchestration behind Wa autonomy. Geopolitical strategy and involvement in the shadow economy is what breathes life into the concept of Wa autonomy. In fact, the book adeptly navigates through the multifaceted borderland geopolitics and the nuances of the shadow economy, highlighting how the United Wa State Army carefully treads this intricate path.
Blending anthropological insights with his personal encounters as a World Food Programme employee in Wa State, Ong delivers a contemplative on-the-ground portrayal of political dynamics in Wa. His objectives, intertwined and interwoven, unfold in three tiers. Primarily, he endeavors to enable readers to perceive the world through the eyes of Wa State’s inhabitants, gaining their perspective. Subsequently, he aims to foster comprehension of the disparities between Wa governance principles and international norms. Lastly, he prompts a reconsideration of conventional interpretations of disorder and stability.
Through the perspectives of the political elite of the Wa State, Ong goes on to dissect the apparent deadlock existing between the Myanmar state and the UWSA, a standoff characterized by what he terms “tactical dissonance.” This intriguing concept encapsulates the UWSA’s dual stance of projecting authority while simultaneously exhibiting subordination, thereby creating a web of disruptions and connections. It’s through this very dichotomy that the relative stability emerges, a stability that defies conventional understanding by underscoring the role of seemingly cryptic and chaotic political signals, economic regulations, and military governance.
Stalemate provides an enthralling narrative that delves into the captivating world of the United Wa State Army, unearthing the complex interplay of power dynamics, sovereignty struggles, and tactical maneuvering that defy conventional expectations. Every chapter begins with a captivating short story from Ong’s experiences in Wa State. This is followed by a brief explanation of the theory, usually consisting of a paragraph or two, which is then demonstrated through additional field notes.
Finally, Ong questions the concept of “ceasefire capitalism,” and views the disorderly aspects of the conflict economy, like arms and wildlife trades, as forces that strangely unite opposing sides. This book stands as an indispensable read for anyone seeking a discovery into the fascinating and unique polity known as the UWSA and the intricate web of politics, autonomy, and an orderly disorder.
Andrew Ong, Stalemate: Autonomy and Insurgency on the China-Myanmar Border (Cornell University Press, 2023) ISBN13: 9781501770715, 276 pages
Written by Dilara Özer
