Myanmar’s inter-ethnic disputes undermine an otherwise favorable backdrop for a peaceful democratic transition, write Rachel Blomquist and Richard Cincotta in New Security Beat’s most read story last month. Their analysis was published in April 2016, but it presciently foreshadows the current crisis. Through their multi-dimensional assessment of the demographic tension in Myanmar, the authors show that “[t]he path to democracy seems to cut directly through the Rohingya issue.”

Also popular last month: turning toxic waste into green energy in Chinese cities, understanding different perspectives on loss and damage, flooding in Bangladesh, and U.S. military leaders on the need to understand climate change.

1. Myanmar’s Democratic Deficit: Demography and the Rohingya Dilemma by Rachel Blomquist & Richard Cincotta

2. Managing Sludge Mountains: What Beijing Can Learn From Brooklyn by Carl Hooks

3. What Is Loss and Damage from Climate Change? First Academic Study Reveals Different Perspectives, Challenging Questions by Rachel James, Richard Jones & Emily Boyd

4. Flooding in Bangladesh: Calling Out Climate Change From the High Ground by Todd A. Eisenstadt & Mahfuzul Haque

5. Tomorrow May Be Too Late: Military Leaders Testify on National Security Challenges of Climate Change by Amanda King