Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
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ASEAN countries’ responses to the war in Ukraine have not been cohesive, largely due to the perceived selectiveness of the EU’s refugee policy. This disconnect is resulting in a breakdown of trust in the EU-ASEAN relationship, a partnership that is necessary in order to revive multilateralism.
There’s currently no end in sight to the growing civil unrest that has gripped Myanmar since its military coup on Feb. 1. As protests grow by the day, Myanmar’s military, the Tatmadaw, has turned to lethal violence to quell demonstrations.
India claims it will “look east” in its foreign policy, but it continues to be distracted by the West. Meanwhile, China is becoming a more attractive partner for others in the region.
Constrained by their adherence to the principle of non-interference, Asian democracies have been reluctant to proactively push Burma toward democratization.
Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD have won a history victory in Myanmar’s elections. Now comes a greater challenge: actually governing.
Previous elections in Myanmar have drawn criticism, but the military-dominated Union Election Commission appears to be trying to ensure the upcoming elections are more transparent and better run.
As Suu Kyi recasts the relations between Myanmar’s democratic forces and Beijing, Delhi can’t allow the security agenda dominate its ties with Naypyidaw.
Recent setbacks to democracy in Southeast Asia are matters for concern, but not causes for despair.
Opening its financial system to foreign participation can bring many benefits to Myanmar, but a phased approach would be better than rapidly opening the floodgates to foreign investment in banking.
In light of the most recent bout of violence in Myanmar, it is vital that the government act quickly to heal the nation's new wounds, protect ethnic minorities, and continue the important task of nation building.