Why Myanmar matters for American foreign policy

With a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that is just a fraction of that of the United States and sandwiched between the rising powers of China and India, Myanmar is not on the minds of many Americans or many Tufts students for that matter. But the 2015 November elections in the country could be the most important step towards democracy in the region since the 1987 South Korean presidential election, which transitioned the country much closer toward a full democracy but one that retains problems which threaten its incipient reforms.

Political power has been centralized around the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a party controlled and supported by the military, for a significant amount of the nation's contemporary history. The USDP, made up largely of nationalist Buddhists, began and perpetuated the violent oppression of the Rohingya people, who are predominantly Muslim. In power since the 2010 election, which was the first national election Myanmar had after 20 years of military rule, the USDP is widely considered a massively corrupt party that has taken active measures to stymie democracy in Myanmar. Over the past few years, the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) began gaining support around the country -- thanks to the pro-democracy, liberal ideas of their leader, the world-renowned Aung San Suu Kyi.

The United States’ relationship with Myanmar has been rocky ever since the country had an anti-democracy military coup in the late 1960s. After signs of a possible democratic renaissance at the end of the last decade in Myanmar, President Obama and Congress attempted to piece back together the relationship with the country. While the United States has been engaged in Myanmar’s economy for the past five years, the introduction of a liberal, democratic leader from Suu Kyi's party may be just what is needed to help jumpstart a strong relationship.

As the Center for Strategic and International Studies explained in their December 2015 report, the United States can play a hugely influential role in the building of Myanmar’s democracy. The NLD and Washington largely have their goals aligned. However, in order to ensure that any of these changes can occur, the United States needs to commit to a cautious and thoughtful relationship with Myanmar. This is most important with regards to attaining equality for the Rohingya, who are still struggling under violent attacks and repression despite the success of the NLD in 2015. Outside pressure is needed in order to protect the Rohingya, whether hard or soft.

Furthermore, Myanmar needs infrastructure and economic investment. Many representatives in their new government faced over a week long commute to reach the capital due to a lack of access to roads and vehicles within the nation. Microloans, a form of low risk loans of around $1,000 to help start businesses in Myanmar, have proven to be an effective tool. The United States should reemphasize its commitment to foreign aid, and make that aid more honest, with fewer hooks and exploitative clauses.

Myanmar is a fledgling democracy that needs our help. Using soft and hard power for the right reasons not only improves the lives of those in Myanmar and makes the region safer but also gives the United States a facelift around the globe. Let’s stand in solidarity with Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy. In spite of our domestic issues, we must not forget about the good we can do abroad.