The Current State of the U.S. Dollar

 

The Current State of the U.S. Dollar

During World War II, the United States primarily engaged in the export and sale of military weaponry and supplies, which generated immense profits and led to a steady increase in the value of the U.S. dollar.

By the 1960s, global trade currency had become heavily dependent on the U.S. dollar. This was due to the perceived stability of the U.S. government’s financial policies and the guarantee that the dollar could be exchanged for gold at a rate of $35 per ounce.

However, between 1963 and 1966, France noticed that the United States no longer held enough gold reserves to back the total amount of U.S. dollars in global circulation. Consequently, France redeemed a total of 3,313 metric tons of gold at the $35/ounce rate, a move subsequently followed by other nations.

Due to the severe depletion of gold reserves, President Richard Nixon issued what became known as the "Nixon Shock" in 1971. This act suspended the convertibility of the dollar into gold, transitioning the dollar from a gold-backed currency to a "fiat currency" system. From that point forward, the dollar's influence faced increasingly complex challenges.

In 1973, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger reached an understanding with Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer. Under this agreement, the U.S. guaranteed Saudi security in exchange for Saudi Arabia agreeing to price oil exclusively in U.S. dollars. This "Petrodollar" system restored the strength of the dollar on the world stage. However, since the 1990s, waning stability in U.S. foreign policy has led to growing doubts regarding the value of the dollar.

In 2005, during the presidency of George W. Bush, France began its second systematic repatriation of its gold. During President Trump's second term in 2025, France's sale of its remaining 129 tons of gold into the global market, using both dollar and euro-based systems, could be seen as a sign pointing toward a new monetary system.

Many have noted that since President Trump’s second term began, his prioritization of specific groups in political, economic, and military decision-making has led to a decline in American influence.

In particular, the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz due to military tensions regarding Iran has halted over 20 percent of the world's oil flow. This has effectively "strangled" the oil-dependent dollar system.

Meanwhile, as Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations question whether the U.S. can continue to guarantee their security, their reliance on the dollar is diminishing—marking the beginning of "De-dollarization."

The Iran crisis currently facing Trump demonstrates the need for a re-evaluation of U.S. foreign and military policy. If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and Arab nations become targets of Iran, the link between oil and the dollar could be severed. This could lead to a decline in the value of the U.S. currency and push the nation into a debt trap. Therefore, it can be said that there are few ways to escape this situation other than ending the current military tensions and resolving the conflict through diplomatic means.

2026 Up-to-Date Some of the top countries with the largest gold reserves in the world are as follows:

• United States: Over 8,133 tons

• Germany: Over 3,350 tons

• Italy: Approximately 2,452 tons

• France: 2,437 tons

• China: Approximately 2,313 tons

The Moment

 

One day, a young woman asked an older man a question: "If you had to name the most special woman in your life, who would it be?"

The man smiled and replied, "There have been many wonderful, special women in my life. But right now, in this very moment, it is you."

He continued, "Always remember this: the people we love the most, and those we find most special, are often defined by the moments we share with them. Someone who was the most important person in your life thirty years ago may not be in that same place today. That is why you must cherish the 'moment.' When you really think about it, life itself is just a collection of these fleeting moments."

The Education Lie

 

The question of why our education system needs urgent reform has become one of the most critical challenges of our time.

The system we currently use was born during the 19th-century Industrial Revolution. Its primary purpose was never to foster independent thinkers; rather, it was deliberately designed to churn out obedient workers to staff factories.

This system stifles free and critical thinking, offering students zero guidance on entrepreneurship or the fundamental realities of running a business. You don't have to look far to see the failure: consider a student who has just graduated from 12th grade. They might be able to memorize textbooks perfectly, yet they lack the basic business acumen, sales knowledge, or financial literacy to even launch a simple home-based bakery.

Why are we emphasizing this so strongly? Because the driving force of the AI era isn't about memorizing old formulas. It is about innovation, the ability to break away from outdated conventions, and the capacity for entrepreneurial vision. These are the only skills that will pave the way for the stars of the next generation.

If you believe our education system is in desperate need of an overhaul, start exploring beyond it using the internet and AI tools. Break out of the old mold, commit to self-directed learning, and take the first step with a mindset that can change the future. Building a freer, more independent future for the next generation begins with one thing: changing the way we educate.

Reflections on Myanmar’s Peace

 

By Aung Myo Lwin

It is certain that all the people of Myanmar desire peace. I am not interested in the agendas of China, India, or the United States; what I truly want to know is: who among us, here in Myanmar, actually does not want peace? Why is that?

Answering this requires examining the roles of self-interest, ideology, blind nationalism, and the hunger for power. Beyond these, "fear" and a deep "trust deficit" are primary drivers that prolong this conflict. As long as sides are paralyzed by the primal fear for their own survival, peace talks will remain merely superficial.

Furthermore, the current conflict has birthed a "war economy"—an environment where certain factions profit only if the instability continues. Revenues from checkpoint "taxes," illicit trade, and diverted donations are the thorny barriers blocking the path to peace. For those who benefit from this chaos, peace is not a goal; it is a threat to their livelihood.

I must emphasize that while the rule of law allows for police action against offenders, in the current Myanmar context, such authority is only legitimate when it is clear, transparent, and beyond dispute. We need more than just punitive justice; we need "transitional justice"—a framework that integrates restorative justice and a sincere commitment to uncovering the truth for the sake of those who have suffered.

If we seek a peaceful resolution to today’s crisis, we must ask: Are both the NUG and the military junta truly willing to relinquish the power they hold for the sake of the nation? Even if a ceasefire is signed, how many armed factions will still refuse to lay down their weapons? If we do not address the root causes, the conflict will never truly end.

Therefore, we must objectively examine how this problem started and how it has been handled. We need to compile a "mutually accepted truth" by synthesizing evidence from state-owned, private, and international media. We must accept that true justice is not found in victory or defeat, but in a factual understanding of cause and effect.

Instead of wasting time debating the failures of the past, we must act with selfless patriotism. We must solve these issues with a constructive vision for the future—specifically, asking ourselves: "What kind of Myanmar are we building for the next generation?" Only with this mindset can we walk the path of lasting peace.

Watching the situation in Myanmar from afar, I write these reflections out of a sincere hope that the suffering of our people will finally come to an end.

Will it become a future state of Israel?

Stay Silent, Die Disgraced
Stay Silent, Die Disgraced


Stay Silent, Die Disgraced
A Precedent That Could Lead to Disaster and Bloodshed 

In the social and political spheres, it is natural for one cause to be linked to another. However, some causes may appear beneficial on the surface but, underneath, plant seeds that pose grave dangers to the future.

The case of some Chin people being recognized as members of Israel’s lost tribes and granted Israeli citizenship began in 2005. To date, between 5,000 and 10,000 individuals, known as the Bnei Menashe, have immigrated and settled in Israel. From a humanitarian perspective, this can be seen as an opportunity. But from a political perspective, it is a precedent that could carry unforeseen crises in the long run.

Geographic and Contextual Comparison

Looking at the facts makes the situation clearer. Chin State covers approximately 36,018.8 square kilometers and is a cool, mountainous region rich in forests, water, and natural resources. By contrast, Israel is only about 22,145 square kilometers. The two regions are over 7,000 kilometers apart, with India, Bangladesh, and mainland Myanmar lying between them.

Given this vast geographic distance, and the fact that international law does not permit one country to claim another’s sovereign territory based solely on ethnic affiliation, the idea that “Chin State is also Israeli territory” is extremely difficult to realize in practice.

Historical Lessons and Potential Risks

Still, the point of concern is the process of “using cultural connections as a pretext for political leverage.” History offers examples like Crimea in 2014 and Kosovo, where the narrative of “shared ethnicity → a duty to protect → a right to territory” was used to challenge national sovereignty.

Therefore, under the notion that “the Chin are an Israeli people,” there is a risk that unofficial or subtle pressure could one day emerge to make contentious claims such as “Chin State is also Israel’s territory,” which would significantly complicate the situation.

Current Reality on the Ground

Israel’s Official Position: Although Israel has accepted Bnei Menashe for 20 years, it has never issued an official statement claiming territory in Chin State.


The Position of Most Chin People: The majority of Chin people identify as citizens of Myanmar and primarily demand their own state and federal rights. There have been no calls to become part of another country’s territory.


The Dual Citizenship Issue: If the number of Chin people holding Israeli citizenship were to reach 30,000, new problems related to loyalty and political influence could arise amid Myanmar’s current instability.

Long-Term Safeguards to Consider

Searching for ancestral roots is a cultural right. However, when it becomes entangled with political claims to territory, it can create intractable crises for a nation. Therefore:

Control the Narrative: The narrative that “the Chin are a lost Jewish tribe” should be led by the Chin people themselves, with a clear position: “We are Chin people who are citizens of Myanmar, and we will determine our own destiny.”


Education: While studying ethnic history is legitimate, younger generations must understand how that history can be misused for political purposes.


Principle of Sovereignty: Regardless of ethnicity or religion, anyone living within Myanmar is subject to Myanmar’s sovereignty. This international norm must be respected by all parties.

Conclusion

The conclusion that “Chin State is Israeli territory” remains weak based on current evidence. However, it cannot be dismissed as “impossible.” If we fail to think through the consequences carefully, we risk a situation where our homeland becomes a pawn in someone else’s political game.

Only by acting proactively—not out of fear, but based on facts and historical lessons—can we avoid a disaster that leads to bloodshed.

Has a Proxy War between the United States and China Begun on Burmese Soil?

 "Has a Proxy War between the United States and China Begun on Burmese Soil?"

The recent string of suppressions, arrests, and mysterious deaths of diplomats and policy researchers within Myanmar and along its borders has provided increasingly solid evidence to support the question: Has a proxy war between the United States and China begun on Myanmar soil? A deep analysis of the region’s strategic military and political landscape reveals that the current situation has moved beyond a conventional civil war, clearly evolving into a new, intense front for the clash of interests between two global superpowers.

Under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the US government has moved decisively to expand its influence at China’s "southern doorstep" by providing technical, humanitarian, and financial support to the National Unity Government (NUG), the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), and certain Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs). On the other hand, China is providing full military and diplomatic backing to the Myanmar military junta to protect the "China-Myanmar Economic Corridor" (CMEC)—its primary energy and trade lifeline—and the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port project, which offers access to the Indian Ocean. This comprehensive support serves as the foundational infrastructure for a proxy war.

In particular, the rapid military advances and victories of the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State, resulting in the loss of junta bases, have posed a significant challenge to China’s multi-billion dollar economic projects. China is forced to exert cross-border pressure on the AA to gain economic and political leverage to secure its port and pipelines, while the US is simultaneously wooing revolutionary forces—including the AA—with aid to pull them into their sphere, further deepening the military crisis in Rakhine and Myanmar as a whole.

In this current landscape, the key drivers of the Myanmar revolution, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Arakan Army (AA), are supporting PDFs with military, technical, and logistical aid, united by the common goal of ending the military dictatorship. However, while organizations like the KIA lean more toward a nationwide, synchronized movement—arguing that "there can be no federal democracy or stability in their region as long as the military dictatorship does not fall at the center"—the AA focuses primarily on the long-term aspirations of their ethnic group, the "Way of Rakhita," and regional self-determination and autonomy. Consequently, there are strategic differences in approach among the revolutionary forces.

Furthermore, the role of powerful border armed groups like the United Wa State Army (UWSA) has become a critical turning point in the military balance. The UWSA has historically been firmly supported by China with weapons and economic aid, and Beijing is utilizing them as a centerpiece to maintain border stability and exert influence within Myanmar. However, as the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) prepares new sanctions against the UWSA and its financial networks, the group is forced to balance its role as a mediator between the junta and revolutionary forces (as desired by China) while carefully navigating its movements to prevent its economic empire from collapsing under US scrutiny.

Similarly, the issue of transnational "cyber scam" criminal gangs based along Myanmar's borders (particularly in Myawaddy, Shwe Kokko, and Laukkai) has moved from a standard criminal matter to the forefront of US-China national security. The Scam Center Strike Force under the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a massive crackdown, offering up to $10 million in rewards to dismantle the financial networks of scam syndicates like "Tai Chang." Because these syndicates operate under the protection of junta-aligned Border Guard Forces (BGFs) or local armed factions, the US is attempting to cut off the junta’s illicit revenue streams by targeting these border criminal networks to protect US citizens from financial loss and human trafficking.

In this context, Thailand's policy of non-alignment and its diplomatic maneuvering are particularly intriguing. Thailand is a historical US military ally, yet it maintains deep economic and security cooperation with China. Recently, the Bangkok-based Legal Attaché team of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) worked with Thai authorities to arrest Chinese cyber scam leaders operating along the Myanmar-Cambodia border. This event demonstrates that while Thailand is cooperating with the FBI to combat transnational crime, it is also carefully balancing its actions to avoid directly damaging the interests of China and the junta, ensuring that its vital border trade remains uninterrupted.

Behind this front, a rapidly escalating "secret intelligence war" between the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Chinese intelligence has also become increasingly apparent in the region. The CIA has openly begun recruitment through digital networks to win over officials within China and its border regions. In retaliation, China blocked anti-Chinese information flow from within Myanmar by arresting U Min Zin, the head of the ISP-Myanmar organization, on "espionage" charges. Similarly, the Myanmar junta's arrest of former US Marine Adam Castillo at Yangon airport and the mysterious death of a top US Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the Sakura Residence can be viewed as diplomatic coercive tactics employed by China and the Myanmar military to dismantle the US’s intelligence network and field data-gathering capabilities on the ground in Myanmar.

Amidst this crisis, the role of another major power, India, is also crucial. Although India is a member of the US-led Quad, it must secretly maintain relations with the junta, fearing for the stability of its own northeastern border and worrying about China’s unbridled influence in Myanmar. India is caught in a strategic trap: it provides intelligence support to the US to help deter China’s military foothold in the Indian Ocean, yet it fears that if the Myanmar military collapses, China’s western front will become even stronger.

In summary, after US President Donald Trump regained power, the policy of "primarily countering China" has become more defined, and Myanmar has effectively become a proxy front in the regional chessboard of the great powers. The current military offensives by ethnic armed groups, the stance of the UWSA, the FBI and Thailand’s crackdown on cyber scams, and the CIA's covert operations are no longer just a simple civil war. They represent the initiation of a major proxy war, staged on Myanmar soil, between the US-India-Thailand allied network and the China-Myanmar junta axis for dominance over the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region.

ကြယ်