Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Myanmar’s 2015 general election will be a key milestone for the country. Yet, with three transitions under way, Myanmar’s task is enormous and the path littered with pitfalls. More >
India’s muted reaction to the Rohingya crisis is worthy of note, as there had been high expectations that it would help diffuse this state-orchestrated humanitarian crisis.
As the nuclear weapon states face increasing international pressure to make new progress on disarmament, signing and ratifying a treaty for a nuclear free zone in the Asia-Pacific should be a top priority.
The time is ripe for Indonesia, India, and Japan to shed their inhibitions and redouble their efforts to strengthen the foundations of Myanmar’s democracy.
The furor over the Philippines v. China arbitration case constitutes a significant development that could influence the prospects for future rivalry or cooperation in the Western Pacific.
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.
Myanmar’s abundant natural resources have served as the country’s main export revenue, but have also been a primary driver of conflict in ethnic areas. What should the newly elected government do to improve the governance of resource wealth in the country, and how can the international community assist?
At a time when Asia is undergoing truly astounding economic, political, and security changes, the narrative of the region’s seemingly endless rise has predominated. Yet Asia’s economic success remains mired in virtually all of the world’s most pressing security and political problems.
Constrained by their adherence to the principle of non-interference, Asian democracies have been reluctant to proactively push Burma toward democratization.
By April 1 Myanmar will have elected its new president, heralding the end of over six decades of authoritarianism. But the new administration faces daunting economic, social, and political challenges.
Myanmar’s new parliament will begin deliberations in late January 2016, and a new president will be elected in March. But there is no certainty that the transfer of power will be smooth or peaceful—or whether it will happen at all.
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