Myanmar's military strikes back

Pascale Harter introduces stories from Myanmar, Ukraine, South Africa and Belize.

Myanmar’s military, which seized power from the democratically elected government in 2021, reactivated a conscription law two years ago. Anyone of 18 to 35 years old now has to serve between 2 to five years in the army. Quentin Sommerville spoke to some who defected from the country's army and escaped to the other side in rebel-held territory in Karen State.

A number of African POWs are being held in a detention facility in western Ukraine, after being recruited to fight for Russia. Many say they were misled or coerced by illegal recruiters promising jobs and good pay. Sammy Awami went to meet some of them.

South Africa has recently seen a rise in anti-immigration rhetoric, anti-migrant protests and reports of xenophobic violence. Several African governments have moved to repatriate their own citizens from the country. In Johannesburg, Mayeni Jones reflects on the tensions, her own unease, and the difficulty of separating fact from rumour.

Ska, reggae, rumba and calypso are recognised around the world. But in Belize, a lesser-known Caribbean musical tradition rooted in the unique history and culture of the Garifuna people is thriving. Simon Broughton explores this distinctive sound, shaped by a rich mix of influences and a fiercely independent past.

Producer: Polly Hope
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Katie Morrison

(Image: Myanmar soldiers and police in the country’s northern Shan State, pictured in January 2026 Credit: ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP via GettyImages)