Daily Stories from The Irrawaddy for 04/17/2026

The Irrawaddy — Elected Myanmar President U Win Myint Freed After Five Years in Junta Jail

DAILY BRIEFING Friday, April 17, 2026 News Opinion Burmese Donate Maung Kavi Elected Myanmar President U Win Myint Freed After Five Years in Junta Jail Thingyan amnesty also trimmed a few years off Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s decades-long sentence, as the new military-installed regime scrambles for legitimacy. Continue Reading Banyarr Is Myanmar Ready for Genuine Political Dialogue? What would it take for real, inclusive dialogue to tackle Myanmar’s perpetual crisis? wonders a former political prisoner. Continue Reading The Irrawaddy Myanmar’s Embarrassing—but Useful—New President, Thingyan Cheer, and More Beijing seems reluctant to advertise its support for the new pseudo-civilian government in Naipyitaw—but extracts its pound of flesh from President Min Aung Hlaing just the same. Continue Reading The Irrawaddy Min Aung Hlaing: ‘Elected’ President Without Public Support The junta leader has finally become president—but, as our editors discuss today, even his own propaganda chief has fallen foul of his paranoid regime. Continue Reading Support Press Freedom Independent journalism needs your support. Help us hold power to account. Donate Now Facebook · Twitter · Website © 2026 The Irrawaddy · Chiang Mai, Thailand Unsubscribe · Update preferences · Forward to a friend