Burma & Myanmar

Letter From,

March 8, 2013

Soft on Sein

Eric Randolph

In its rush to fete Myanmar's president, Thein Sein, and capitalize on the country's tentative opening, the international community has turned a blind eye toward the ongoing repression of minorities and the continued political dominance of the military. In doing so, it has given up much of its leverage over Sein at the very time when it should be pushing for clearer commitments to reconciliation and democracy.

Snapshot,

November 19, 2012

What Obama Wants From Myanmar

Sebastian Strangio

Critics accused U.S. President Barack Obama of acting prematurely by traveling to Myanmar, a country whose democratic transition is still woefully incomplete. But the real reason for the rapid thaw in U.S.-Myanmar ties is geopolitical: both countries want to offset China’s influence in the region.

Snapshot,

July 25, 2012

How Not to Invest in Myanmar

Brian P. Klein

Alongside Myanmar's political reforms, tens of billions of dollars of foreign direct investment are flowing into the country. But investors chasing high returns have overwhelmed fragile, newly opened economies in the past, and Rangoon's undeveloped financial sector, fledgling commodities market, and weak governance structures all warrant caution.

Postscript,

November 23, 2010

Burma's Stubborn State

Michael Green

Although freeing Aung Suu Kyi may allow Burma’s military leaders to escape scrutiny for now, their budding nuclear ambitions could rejuvenate international interest in placing pressure on their regime.

Essay, Nov/Dec 2007

Asia's Forgotten Crisis

Michael Green and Derek Mitchell

Over the past decade, Burma has gone from being an antidemocratic embarrassment and humanitarian disaster to being a serious threat to its neighbors' security. The international community must change its approach to the country's junta.

Essay, Nov/Dec 2002

Can Burma Reform?

Joshua Kurlantzick

Myanmar, the country formerly know as Burma, faces a burgeoning economic disaster and a looming HIV/AIDS epidemic. In responding to these crises, the United States and its allies should employ both the promise of aid and the threat of sanctions to prod the country's military rulers toward democracy.

Comment, Jan/Feb 2000

States' Rights and Foreign Policy: Some Things Should Be Left to Washington

Brannon P. Denning and Jack H. McCall

Sanctions slapped on foreign countries by U.S. cities and states are starting to be struck down by the courts, and rightly so. America can afford only one foreign policy.