Myanmar, North Korea Stay Brothers in Arms

While the US has restored relations with Myanmar, ongoing improvement hinges on the latter severing ties with North Korea. The US publicly emphasizes democracy and human rights for the nation once known as Burma, suggests journalist Bertil Lintner in Asia Times, yet “Myanmar has emerged as the frontline of the Obama administration's 'pivot' towards Asia, or, in plain language, the US's China containment policy.” As a result, “Myanmar is now caught in the middle of a regional power game - as China is not expected to sit idly by while a strategically important neighbor and partner slips from its previous strong embrace.” North Korea, largely isolated and poor, seeks alliances by trading weapons, tunneling and other military equipment and expertise with other pariah states. Lintner describes how the United States tries a carrots-and-sticks approach with Myanmar, and some carrots may include partnering on naval capability and intelligence. China could force Myanmar to choose among key partners, too. – YaleGlobal