US opens direct talks with Myanmar's generals, reversing years of isolation
The outreach seeks the release of detained American Adam Castillo and access to heavy rare earth deposits, while scam hubs have defrauded Americans out of billions, officials said.
- On September 15-16, US Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Michael Vance held direct talks with Myanmar coup leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw, marking a sharp reversal of Washington's isolation policy since the 2021 coup.
- The meeting aimed to secure the release of American businessman Adam Castillo while establishing channels to shutter scam hubs operating on Myanmar's territory that have defrauded Americans of billions of dollars.
- Access to Myanmar's massive rare-earth mineral deposits—vital for electric vehicles—featured in the talks, as Washington seeks to diversify supply chains away from China's current dominance in the sector.
- Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, denounced the shift, stating engagement provides "this murderous regime greater international legitimacy" while failing to implement congressionally mandated sanctions.
- Less than two weeks after the meeting, Myanmar's military conducted an airstrike in Rakhine state killing over 50 people, while researchers question whether leaders are serious about enforcement given militia involvement in scams.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Trump administration opens direct talks with Myanmar junta, signals shift from isolation to engagement
The Trump administration has opened direct talks with Myanmar’s military-installed government, US officials said, marking a shift from Washington’s post-coup isolation policy. Talks led by Assistant Secretary Michael Vance initially focused on shutting scam centres targeting Americans and securing an American’s release, but could expand to Myanmar’s rare-earth resources.
The Democrats are appalled: The Trump administration probably sent the head of the intelligence department in the U.S. State Department to Myanmar for talks. Shortly after, the Junta attacked civilians.
The Trump administration has opened negotiations with Myanmar's military government for the first time since the coup five years ago, a reversal of its previous policy focused on isolating Myanmar's top generals.
After several years of efforts to isolate the junta, Washington has in recent weeks begun talks with the Burmese military government. These discussions between the two countries take place without any intermediary. It is a major diplomatic turning point that puts an end to several years of isolation of the generals following the coup d'état of 2021.
After the coup five years ago, the U.S. is trying to isolate the regime in Myanmar. Talks are now taking place again under President Trump. First of all, it's going out of the country in the supervising mash and a detained U.S. citizen.
US begins direct talks with Myanmar junta
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