Aung Thura Ko Ko is an independent researcher from Myanmar. His research interests include nationalism, identity politics, ethnic armed conflict, and security transition. Aung worked for USAID/Burma for six years, liaised with the press, and spearheaded the Mission's strategic public communication efforts. Before joining USAID, he worked at the Myanmar Peace Center and Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee, providing insights and observing a series of peace negotiations initiated under both governments led by President Thein Sein and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung worked as a journalist for four years since 2010 to promote press freedom and provide reliable information to the people living in the dark age of journalism for many decades under the military dictatorship.