HPA-AN, Myanmar -- For almost 70 years, life in Myanmar's southeastern Karen State has been dominated by conflict and instability. Decades of harsh military rule and counterinsurgency campaigns led to mass displacement of the civilian population, with many fleeing to neighboring countries to escape the violence.
But Karen State could be on the brink of momentous change following the sweeping victory by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy in last November's general election and the signing of a nationwide ceasefire agreement by most Karen ethnic armed groups.
