"The thuggish civilian wing of the military junta must not be overlooked during Burma?s political transition... Since the Black Friday clash of May 30, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) has earned the well-deserved title of "thugs" in international circles. Once disguised as a social organization, the USDA is now exposed as the brutes of the Burmese military regime. But this demonization does not quite explain the USDA?s current political salience and the role they wish to play during the transition to a civilian government..."