The rebels fighting against Myanmar's military junta have made vast territorial gains in recent weeks, with the apparent help of China's tacit support. But their constrained military coordination, inferior defenses and differing strategic priorities will likely challenge rebels' ability to take major cities, opening the door to a possible system of autonomous administrations in the coming years. Rebel advances began on Oct. 27 with the initiation of Operation 1027, an offensive led by the so-called Brotherhood Alliance, a group of approximately 20,000 fighters from three Shan ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) in Myanmar's northeastern Shan state that are supported by the National Unity Government (NUG), the elected rebel government-in-exile. In a matter of weeks, the Brotherhood Alliance rapidly captured dozens of military outposts, several towns and key border crossings and roads -- which together comprise billions of dollars worth of infrastructure and handle most of China's overland trade into and out...
