What is happening in Myanmar and what the Biden administration is trying to do in this regard

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“Their instincts are good,” the Kentucky Republican told Politico on Monday after Biden consulted with the minority leader on the situation in Myanmar, which CNN covered on the ground. The Biden administration has called for an end to the crackdown on peaceful protests and has imposed at least two rounds of sanctions. “Our ability to influence this from the middle of the world is limited,” McConnell said.

Myanmar policy has long been an area of ​​bipartisan agreement between Republicans and Democrats, who were united in condemning the military regime that brutally repressed the country until 2011, united in praise for its gradual openness to democracy and united again in denouncing the coup. launched in February. 1.

People in Myanmar have been protesting across the country since the military took control on February 1 after refusing to accept the results of the national elections that gave the National League for Democracy 83% of seats in parliament.
The military has declared a state of emergency and security forces made up of police, soldiers and elite counterinsurgency troops have since responded brutally to peaceful anti-coup demonstrations and general strikes, killing more than 700 people, including children, since April 12 imposed extinguishments, put limits on meetings and restricted internet access. Arrested civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy have been detained and face charges in a secret court.
The military has repeatedly blamed the violence on protesters and said security forces were using “minimal force”. The military’s spokesman, General Zaw Min Tun, said in a recent CNN interview that the junta’s forces were repressed because “the crowd is blocking sandbags, firing with hand-made weapons, firing, throwing Molotov,” and the security forces must use weapons for revolt. “

What is the USA doing?

The Biden administration unveiled sanctions in March, along with the European Union, holding military officials and other Myanmar entities responsible for the violence. On March 30, the US State Department ordered all non-emergency employees and their family members in the country, after allowing them to leave voluntarily in February.

On April 8, the State Department pursued, announcing sanctions on the state-owned Myanma Gems Enterprise, a key economic resource for the military regime that is largely run by former military leaders. Myanmar is a major source of rubies, sapphires and other precious stones in the world, with an estimated trade of $ 31 billion in 2014, and Myanma Gems Enterprise oversees most of the industry, collecting royalties.

“The Burmese military regime has ignored the will of the Burmese people to restore the country’s path to democracy and has continued to commit deadly attacks on protesters, in addition to random attacks on people nearby,” Secretary of State Tony Blinken said in a statement. described the “brutal actions” of the security force that left hundreds dead.

Why didn’t he change anything?

On Sunday, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said China and Russia were blocking UN Security Council attempts to impose an arms embargo and undermining efforts to create common ground. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his deep concern over the violence on Monday, calling it “terrible” and urged the Security Council to use its influence with Myanmar’s military leaders to help resolve the issue.

How did the Trump administration treat Myanmar?

Trump’s White House has tried to balance Myanmar’s accountability for violence against minority Rohingya Muslims in the country, while calibrating its response to prevent a return to democratic progress there, and has tried to compete against Chinese influence in the country.

Has Myanmar always been a democracy?

Not. The country gained independence from Britain in 1948. The armed forces took control in 1962. In 2011, the military began allowing a slow return to civilian rule, which was interrupted by the February coup.

Where is Myanmar?

Myanmar, referred to by Washington as Burma, is in Southeast Asia. It borders China, India, Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh. Its population of about 54 million includes many ethnic groups, including Rohingya Muslims, but the main religion is Buddhism. The main language is Burmese.

Why do people use two different names to refer to Myanmar?

When the armed forces took control of the country in 1962, it was known as Burma. In 1989, his name was changed to Myanmar – a more formal version of the country’s name, which means fast and strong people. Many countries continued to use “Burma” to reflect their feeling that the military regime was not legitimate. In 2011, the military began to allow a slow return to civilian rule and the use of Myanmar became more frequent.

Who is Aung San Suu Kyi?

Suu Kyi is the daughter of the general who led Burma to independence, General Aung San, and spent more than 15 years under house arrest, protesting against the army’s control over the country. Her time in detention made her an international icon and brought her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. She was released from house arrest in 2010 and became a state councilor in 2016, but her reputation has been severely damaged by co-operation with the military and of her defense of the campaign against the Rohingya Muslims. The Biden administration is conducting a review to determine whether Myanmar’s persecution of Rohingya amounts to genocide.

Julia Hollingsworth, Akanksha Sharma and CNN settlers in Myanmar contributed to this report.

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