The Strategic Importance of a Democratic Burma

Burma remains the world's second largest producer of illicit opium with an estimated production in 2008 of 340 metric tons (CIA, 2010). Our presence in Burma will free it from tyranny and promote an effective democracy. The ability to communicate our strategy with precision to partners in this endeavor ensures success. I will provide you with information covering background, government, strategic importance, and future direction for the country of Burma.

Background Information

The first inhabitants of the Ayayarwady River basin were the Mon and Pyu civilizations (ProQuest, 2009). In the 11th century, these civilizations led to a unified Burmese kingdom at Bagan. Great Britain incorporated Burma into India in 1885, which led to it becoming a separate colony in 1937. During World War II Japan occupied Burma until 1945. After the war, Burma became an independent nation in 1948. General Ne Win in 1962, led a military coup, abolishing Burma’s constitution and established a xenophobic military government with socialist economic policies (State, 2010). In September 1988 through a military coup, the Junta took power. Burma has since struggled to establish a stable government.

Government

The Junta, known as the State Peace and Development Council, or SPDC, currently governs Burma. A committee of military leaders leads the SPDC. Government stability wavers from the broad sanctions for human rights violations and trading illicit drugs. Burma opposes our national security strategy through tyranny of its people, trafficking of persons, and illicit drug trade.

Transnational crime

Transnational organized crime groups in Burma operate a multibillion-dollar criminal industry that stretches across Southeast Asia (Wyler, 2008). However,...

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... Retrieved from CIA: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bm.html

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Seekins, D. M. (2005). The state and the city: 1988 and the transformation of Rangoon. Public Affairs , 257.

Services, P. R. (2009, Jan 14). Country Forecast. Retrieved from Ebsco Host: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tsh&jid=QH7&site=ehost-live

State, U. D. (2010). Deplomacy in Action. Retrieved from U.S. Department of State: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35910.htm

Wyler, L. S. (2008, April 04). Naval Postgraduate School . Retrieved from Homeland Security Digital Library: https://www.hsdl.org/homesec/docs/crs/nps40-051208-01.pdf&code=c1ea3a768f88aec15843f678dd71e14b