Maung Myoe

• PhD
• Professor (Full) at International University of Japan

This article argues that although the NLD government continues to adhere to the "independent, active, and non-aligned foreign policy," the policy will be implemented through multiple tracks in diplomacy with a possibility of stronger focus on people-to-people contacts and multilateralism. The NLD’s foreign policy, in terms of objectives and princip...

The successive Myanmar governments have been dealing with a question of how to manage their relations with China in order to preserve the country’s independence, political autonomy, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity while asymmetry of power between the two countries is a reality. In the mid-1950s, the Myanmar government coined and pop...

Myanmar’s foreign policy under the USDP government is historically consistent in terms of fundamental principles of being independent, active, and non-aligned, as promulgated in the Constitution. However, the USDP government has pronounced a new foreign policy objective of reintegrating Myanmar into the international community. This objective is no...

The paper discusses Myanmar maritime security and looks at the challenges and priorities.

This paper argues that a key factor in Myanmar’s new approach towards China since 2011 has been the Myanmar government’s foreign policy goal to reintegrate itself into the international community. The success of this approach is dependent on Myanmar’s rapprochement with the United States, which requires both domestic political reforms and a foreign...

History has often been used and misused by statesmen and political leaders to serve their national, regime or personal interests. Historical lessons are, rightly or wrongly, employed to guide the nation's domestic and foreign policy. In countries with nation-building projects, history is presented, in different formats, with a particular nationalis...

As this book is the first comprehensive study of child soldiering on the Myanmar-China border it represents a welcome addition to the extensive literature on Myanmar politics and society. The book is clearly structured and logically argued, and this reviewer finds it valuable for those who are not only interested in armed conflict in Myanmar but th...

The government of Myanmar is today publicly committed to building a 'modern developed democratic nation'. It has initiated a number of measures aimed at political and economic liberalization. This article examines the military's perception of the ongoing process of liberalization. It argues that, on the basis of mutual understanding and smooth rela...

Reproduced from Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948 by Maung Aung Myoe (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2009). This version was obtained electronically direct from the publisher on condition that copyright is not infringed. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Institut...

Ever since Myanmar regained her independence in January 1948, the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) has been crucial in restoring and maintaining law and order. It is one of the most important institutions in Myanmar politics. Various aspects of the Tatmadaw have been studied. The most notable area of study has been the political role of the military...

Myanmar's military regime drew global condemnation in September 2007 when it brutally suppressed anti-government demonstrations. Although this junction appeared to be a turning point since it facilitated greater international intervention, recent events indicate a return to "normalcy" as the regime ruled out dialogue with the main opposition party...

The issue of political transition in Myanmar has generated scholarly interest and debate on the nature and outcomes of the whole process. This paper provides a historical overview of the political transition process in Myanmar since 1988. It highlights the missed opportunities and argues that the Tatmadaw's (Myanmar armed forces) position on the po...

One of the most important features of the Sino-Myanmar relationship since 1988 has been the growing bilateral economic relations in the areas of trade, aid or development assistance, and investment. Since 1988, China has become one of the most important sources of trade and development assistance for Myanmar, and China is using the trade and aid as...

The year 2006 was marked by more entrenched and resilient military rule, which has become increasingly defiant against intense and growing international pressure. The Myanmar government has demonstrated that it plans to remain in power indefinitely and by any means, despite a successful effort by Western powers to place the Myanmar problem on the U...

In November 2005, the Myanmar government announced its decision to relocate the national capital from Yangon to a place near Pyinmana; the place was later named Naypyitaw. This decision reveals several aspects of the Myanmar government's security thinking. Concern for information security, defence-in-depth against possible foreign invasion, desire...

This paper examines regionalism in Myanmar foreign policy mostly in the context of ASEAN-Myanmar relations and it argues that Myanmar's decision to embrace regionalism was primarily motivated by her desire to enhance state security, which also meant regime security; the threat to which was more internal than external in nature. Her subscription to...