Key issues for Myanmar's upcoming general election

YANGON, Myanmar - Campaigning kicked off Tuesday for Myanmar's Nov. 8 general election, which is expected to be the Southeast Asian country's most credible vote in more than a half-century. A long-ruling junta made way for a civilian government more than four years ago, but the military still retains a powerful role, and political and economic reforms have been stymied by persistent ethnic strife and natural disasters. Associated Press writers based across Asia who have covered Myanmar for many years outline the key issues at stake: