Ta’ang, and Kokang have all reported instances of armed skirmishes instigated and/or exacerbated by the Tatmadaw. It is important to consider the extent to which the military’s breaking of the NCA is centered around economic objectives. The NCA is considerably inspired by the Tatmadaw’s desire to reshape its international image and attract foreign industry and investors. In recent years, following the commencement of multiple special economic projects—some without the official approval of the central NLD government—it has become more economically and/or politically beneficial for the military to break the NCA and gain control of regions they believe have the highest earning and development potential. The military knows that actively breaking the NCA might reignite full-blown civil war in any of the regions in question, so it remains large enough, strong enough, modernized and bureaucratized enough to shut down any offensive launched by even the largest armed ethnic organizations. 78

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