ABSTRACT
Burma, also known as Myanmar, is a resource-rich, Buddhist nation whose fiercely patriotic citizens have endured harsh military rule for over forty years. Even the regime's opponents are impressed by the military's durable ability to stay unified and maintain power. The Burmese armed forces, or Tatmadaw, are a bigger and better-equipped force today than ever before in its history; the Tatmadaw has the second largest army in Southeast Asia and the sixteenth largest armed force in the world. 1
