Naypyidaw, Myanmar
Foreign media this week got their first glimpse of Myanmar’s new capital, Naypyidaw, when the junta that rules the country invited reporters to a military drill. The junta started building the new capital three years ago in the middle of a jungle 300 miles from the old capital, the port city of Yangon—evidently because dictator Gen. Than Shwe decided that a jungle location would be easier to defend. The half-finished city is three times the size of London, but has fewer than 100,000 residents, as the families of civil servants have chosen to stay in Yangon, at least until roads and services in Naypyidaw are further along. So far, the new capital consists of little but wide highways, modern apartment buildings, and a big military parade ground. The U.S. maintains sanctions against Myanmar because of its continuing detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Time-honored political tactic: Throw your wife under the bus'Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
-
Best non-alcoholic spirits for summer cocktailsThe Week Recommends As hard liquor takes a backseat for many, the ingredients for the perfect mocktail are dryly delicious
-
Will Biden's tariffs hinder China's EV dominance?Today's Big Question Climate change goals and American jobs in tension
