Chapter VII Case Study: The Crisis in Rakhine State The present-day crisis in Rakhine is complex and ongoing, with new developments occurring almost daily. What has remained consistent, however, is the sheer power with which the military continues to carry out clearance operations in order to establish SEZs. The SEZs serve the primary purpose of enabling cross-border trade and transportation with India and China. Like other regions of the country, Rakhine State is no exception when it comes to the military’s relentless drive to expand economically. When reading this Rakhine State case study, it is important to keep in mind that the violence being carried out by Tatmadaw is a stark reminder of its autonomy, power, and continued impunity. There is a long history of military involvement in Rakhine State and multiple examples of Rohingya diasporas as a result of violent operations undertaken by the military. However, for purposes of this thesis, the focus will remain on the state of present-day affairs so as to highlight the ways in which the military continues to maintain nearly total control and autonomy. The first of the two major SEZs in Rakhine State is known as the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (“Kaladan Project”). The US$484 million plan connects the Kolkata seaport to the port of Sittwe in Rakhine State. Completion of this project will open the region to the east, potentially turning Burma into a hub of international economic activity. While the fine details of this project and its impact on local and regional areas is beyond the scope of this thesis, it is important to note that this project