Authors: Anders Engvall, SSE and Soe Nandar Linn, MDRI-CESD
Under the transition process led by President U Thein Sein, the Myanmar government is seeking to simultaneously pursue complex economic and political reforms as well as resolve ethnic conflicts and achieve national reconciliation. These challenges are intrinsically related — reforms will pave the way for reconciliation but increased violent conflict has emerged as a key threat to continued reform. Read more…
Author: Micha’el Tanchum, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Myanmar’s abundant energy resources and key geostrategic location between India and China has seen a miniature ‘Great Game’ develop since its recent democratic opening and re-entry into the international community.
While several countries have become players in Myanmar’s development, India and China have taken the lead with the construction of multi-billion dollar deepwater ports and energy projects. Read more…
Author: Vikram Nehru, Carnegie Endowment
The last three months have been a roller coaster for Myanmar as a steady trend of positive economic news was eclipsed by ethnic bloodletting.
The most recent bout of violence, this time in the country’s central region, highlights the complexity of the challenges facing the government of President Thein Sein and the need to ensure law and order during a period of political change. Read more…
Authors: Anders Engvall, Stockholm School of Economics, and Soe Nandar Linn, MDRI-CESD
Myanmar used to be far from a normal country in terms of its economic policies and performance.
For decades it pursued a whole range of harmful policies, including multiple exchange rates and restrictive barriers to trade.
Read more…
Author: Morten B. Pedersen, UNSW, Canberra
Myanmar is in the midst of momentous political change, which has seen the country emerge from decades of repressive military rule and international isolation to be lauded by Western leaders as a model of political development.
While not a democracy yet, the new quasi-civilian government has brought the opposition into parliament and revitalised the country’s political life. Read more…
Author: Rodolfo C. Severino, ISEAS
For the first time in the organisation’s history, ASEAN foreign ministers failed to issue the normal joint communiqué at the end of their annual meeting last July.
Many people fear the same historic debacle could repeat itself this year and the next. Read more…
Author: Sean Turnell, Macquarie University
Myanmar’s President Thein Sein embarked on a global roadshow in the beginning of 2013.
His welcome in Europe, Australia and New Zealand illustrates the dramatic change in global perceptions with respect to Myanmar over the last two years. Read more…
Author: Trevor Wilson, ANU
Australia hosted a high-level government delegation from Myanmar this week, led by President Thein Sein.
Thein Sein’s ambitious program of economic and political reform has surprised the international community since he assumed office in March 2011. Read more…
Author: Alistair D. B. Cook, NUS
While there are hard power rivalries between the United States and China in the Asia Pacific, there have been signs that China is increasingly using soft power to achieve its policy objectives. In January, Xi Jinping was quoted as saying that China will follow an ‘open, cooperative and win-win’ development model in conducting its foreign affairs.
Read more…
Author: Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Chulalongkorn University
Barack Obama’s visit to Southeast Asia, which started on Sunday 18 November and is culminating with his attendance at the East Asia Summit in Cambodia, underscores America’s stepped-up re-engagement in what is considered China’s backyard.
Under Obama’s watch, the United States has ‘pivoted’ or ‘rebalanced’ its foreign policy intentions and resources toward Asia for the 21st century. Read more…
Authors: Vikram Nehru and Van Tran, Carnegie Endowment
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi returned to her job as leader of Myanmar’s opposition after her second international lap of honour.
Read more…
Author: Donald K. Emmerson, Stanford University
President Thein Sein appears genuinely committed to reform.
During a meeting in August 2011, he and Aung San Suu Kyi worked out the plan in which she would run for election. Read more…
Author: Beginda Pakpahan, UI
On 8 August 2012 ASEAN celebrated its 45th year. As a mature regional economic organisation, ASEAN can act as a potential stabiliser in Southeast and East Asia. ASEAN’s internal developments affect developments in the East Asian region, so the association stands to consolidate this influence by promoting the resolution of the South China Sea issue and supporting Myanmar’s transition to democracy and economic development.
Read more…
Author: David I. Steinberg, Georgetown University
It was inevitable. The US Congress was not about to let the sanctions on Myanmar, also known as Burma, die. The ritual of the annual renewal was held up in Congress because it was attached to some legislation about Africa, on which there were disputes.
Read more…
Author: Lex Rieffel, Brookings Institution
The global policy community has focused on the political challenges facing the government of President Thein Sein in Myanmar and paid little attention to the economic challenges.
Yet without economic improvements at the grass roots, political progress may founder. Urgent policy challenges confront almost every aspect of the Myanmar economy. Read more…
