BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN MYANMAR: NEW CONSTITUTION, INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS AND STRATEGIES OF THE MILITARY

Author: Abu Salah Md. Yousuf

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2009v30n3a4

ABSTRACT

The military government of Myanmar announceda new Constitution for the country and helda referendum in May 2008 to legitimise it.The military also declared its intention for holding a new election in the year 2010. Althoughthe international communityremains concerned aboutthe internal developments of Myanmar, the divergence of national interests among the regional and international players could not yet result in any unified external stance or action againstthe country’s military regime.Meanwhile,Myanmar’sengagement with the neighbours in the areas of trade, commerce andinvestmentremainsunabated, savingitfrom both international sanction and isolation. Whilethe US is always very vocalagainst the militaryregime in Myanmar, the newadministrationunder President Obama shows its intentto bring about few changes in itspolicy vis-à-visMyanmar.In this backdrop, the paper is an attempt todiscuss critically therecent political developments in Myanmar in the light of the proposed new Constitution. The discussion takes into account the policies of the international communitywith respect to Myanmar. It also examines the policies of the military regimeas to howit wouldadapt itself with the new realities, both internal and external.