Economic Chaos in Myanmar: What the US Is Saying
The Coup’s Domino Effect
After the February coup, Myanmar’s economy has been hit like a bad punchline. Pro‑junta officials blame foreign foes for the crash, but a U.S. diplomat points fingers at the country’s own mismanagement.
US Official’s Take on the Mess
- Gross mismanagement: “Everything we’ve seen… is that there’s just a huge mishandling of the economy.”
- Political chaos factor: “We have to attribute the dire economic situation to the lack of political stability and all the uncertainty.”
- Sanctions strategy: US sanctions target the military, but we’ll avoid steps that pinch ordinary people.
ASEAN’s Unusual Invite
ASEAN decided to invite a non‑political Myanmar delegate at its Oct 26–28 summit, leaving the military chief Min Aung Hlaing out of the round‑table. The junta blamed this on “foreign intervention,” but the U.S. official said it’s a reflection of ASEAN’s own consensus.
US Outlook on the Military’s Moves
- Pressure points: “Clearly, the regime wants to be part of senior meetings. They care about their assets and resource access.”
- Strategic cuts: “If we can close those pathways or move further to cut them, it might influence their behaviour.”
So, while the Eurasian economic rollercoaster spins on, the U.S. remains keen on nudging Myanmar toward less violence and a return to democracy—while keeping the people’s wallets as safe as possible.
