Actually, this list came out the very day that protests reached a climax.

You missed Michael Charney’s piece at the new Statesman:
http://www.newstatesman.com/200709260003

Furthermore, who are the junta friendlies in this list?
I don’t see any at all.
Mary Callahan? Josef Silverstein?
David Steinberg is a political scientist with an obligation to treat his subject matter with some degree of objectivity, not as an activist.

Part of the problem is that the situation **is** too polarized and there is no one in the middle to credibly mediate this conflict.

Two weeks after the protests, the conservative opinions of ASEAN, for instance George Yeo, Singapore’s foreign minister were expressed clearly.
http://www.digitalnpq.org/articles/global/210/10-08-2007/george_yeo

PTT stated clearly that it wasn’t budging on its natural gas pipeline that accounts for $2 billion and 40% of official exports from Burma.

I talked to Burmese people who clearly expressed an opinion that they wished the conflict would end soon with or without the junta. They didn’t care. They just wanted this 20, 40 year low intensity conflict to end so their families could get on with their lives.

Some may think that Thant Myint U’s book is pro-junta, but this sort of willful blindness just gets in the way of effective activism.

Even though I may be an idealist and wish across the board effective sanctions by all states, this clearly looks like it is not going to happen for reasons of Asia’s own choosing (China, Malaysia, India, Singapore, Thailand) even if the UN demands it.

20 days is a long time: you’re right that this is already dated. When I put this list together (in a rush, I might add) those academics who I found providing quote in the media were the individuals I noted above.

I may (as time permits) put together a more up-to-date list of academic comment. I would appreciate any suggestions that readers may have about any commentators I might otherwise miss.

Best wishes to all,

Nich

KMK

“Although it was the first significant protest in more than a decade [in August]… it is largely over.” — Aung Zaw, in Asia Sentinel, September 3

August 29 wire report — “Josef Silverstein, a Myanmar expert and retired Rutgers University professor, said that under such circumstances the current wave of protests could not last…”

And Robert Taylor said on September 23 that “I don’t see the regime is tottering”.

As Robert Taylor never gets anything right, hopefully that will be the kiss of death for the generals.

So much for the experts.

“Regarding the dispersal of demonstrations, the Burmese government did not use military force. Police was deployed. That was the right approach. It has been used by every country—that the military must step back to let police take charge. But the actual tactics may vary from country to country. However, I think there is no violence in the current situation. Everything is under control. The Burmese government is still in control of the situation. On the reports that Buddhist monks were assaulted [during the dispersal of demonstrations], that cannot be concluded just from looking at the photos. As it happened in Thailand, sometimes people used violence against officials. So officials may have to defend themselves. There has been no political suppression. Burmese authorities should understand that it—getting Buddhist monks involved in the demonstrations—is a tactic used by demonstrators. So Burmese authorities understand that they cannot use violence against Buddhist monks. They must use soft approach. I was informed that Burma uses dialogue to solve the problem, and senior Buddhist monks have helped negotiate to end the problem. I do not think Burma will care [about international pressure], because it does not really depend on anyone. Burma has been taking care of itself all along. It does not accept interference from outside. Moreover, there are many countries that have discretely helped protect Burma—such as China and Korea. That is because Burma has plenty natural resources that many major powers want to have their hand on. We are neighbor [of Burma]. If we get involved, that will undermine our relationship.”