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How the World Dropped the Ball on Burma

And how we can pick it back up

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 7, 2007 11:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – International policy on Myanmar is at an impasse because the world went two different ways on the military junta—the US chose isolation while its neighbors chose constructive engagement—and both strategies failed. The country has gone from “antidemocratic embarrassment and humanitarian disaster” to “serious threat” to security, Foreign Affairs’ Michael Green and Derek Mitchell argue.

Only a US-led global consensus can reverse course, they say. Despite thousands of activists and citizens behind bars, 2,500 villages destroyed, a million people displaced, and narcotics and human trafficking spreading across Asia, the country is operating with impunity. Washington must convince Beijing and Delhi, along with other neighbors, to present Burma with the real benefits of reform and the deep costs of intransigence.

In this photo released by the Democratic Voice of Burma, Myanmar soldiers, center, block a road leading to Sule Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar on Wednesday Sept. 26, 2007. Security forces fired warning shots... (Associated Press)

In this photo released by the Democratic Voice of Burma, Buddhist monks in cinnamon robes and demonstrators march in Yangon, Myanmar, Wednesday Sept. 26, 2007. Security forces fired warning shots and... (Associated Press)

TO GO WITH Myanmar-politics-ThanShwe,PROFILE(FILES) This undated... (Getty Images)

TO GO WITH Myanmar-politics-ThanShwe,PROFILE(FILES) This photo... (Getty Images)

Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe (L) salutes as members of the... (Getty Images)

Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe waves during ceremonies marking... (Getty Images)

In this photo released by the Democratic Voice of Burma, Myanmar, soldiers with shields block the road to Buddhist monks in cinnamon robes, leading to Sule Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar on Wednesday Sept.... (Associated Press)

In this photo released by the Democratic Voice of Burma, Buddhist monks stand in front of riot police as they demonstrate in Yangon Myanmar on Wednesday Sept. 26, 2007. Security forces fired warning shots... (Associated Press)

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And how we can pick it back up

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

China • drugs • India • Japan • Myanmar • Burma • ASEAN • human trafficking

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

World Toes Junta's Line as Burmese Die

Dictators don't want you to think about the victims, and media is helping

3,000 Detained in Burma, by Junta's Count

Japan cuts aid, China supports UN diplomat

Clinton to Make Historic Visit to Burma

In other big news, Aung San Suu Kyi to rejoin politics

Japan Should Apologize for Hiroshima

Or for nation's bloody actions leading up to bombing

Obama to Myanmar: Free Suu Kyi

First direct appeal for pro-democracy leader's release

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?