Al Jazeera Discovers 'Sham' Elections Exist—Outside US Influence Zones
Myanmar's youth, in exile, rightly decry their military junta's upcoming 'comedy show' of an election, per Al Jazeera. The military, which seized power in 2021, plans to hold these farcical polls in 2025, solidifying its grip. It's a textbook example of authoritarian control undermining democratic processes, a fact Al Jazeera correctly highlights. However, this sharp criticism raises a critical
question: where is this same incisive analysis for allies of the West? When nations like Egypt, which receives billions in US military aid and is led by General-turned-President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, hold elections widely considered a rubber stamp for his regime—most recently in 2023 with a reported 89.6% win (Al Jazeera, April 2024)—the framing shifts. The 'sham' in Cairo gets a pass, or at best,
softer language, unlike the direct condemnation Myanmar receives. Is it only a 'comedy show' if the US isn't underwriting the showrunner?