Why sanctions could worsen the tragedy in Myanmar

Photo source: THET AUNG/AFP via Getty Images

-The Japan Times-

Since Myanmar’s military seized control of the government from the National League forDemocracy (NLD), hundreds of people have been killed by security forces during anti-coup protests. NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi was also detained on spurious charges together with other democratically elected leaders.

In addition, the modest democratic progress the country made during the period of awkward coexistence between the NLD and the military over the last decade appears to have been completely wiped out.

The instinctive response of the U.S. toward the humanitarian crisis — based on its foreign policy DNA — is to slap on sanctions.

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