Min Aung Hlaing Courts Western Powers Amid Genocide Accusations
Myanmar's leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has been trying to rebuild ties with Western nations after his 2021 coup d'état. He met with TIME for an exclusive interview in Naypyidaw and presented himself as a civilian statesman, unlike his past role as commander-in-chief.
Despite his makeover, Min Aung Hlaing's regime is still accused of human rights abuses, narcotics trafficking, and war crimes. The U.N. has even accused him of genocide, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing.
The Biden Administration initially backed the National Unity Government (NUG), formed from the ousted administration of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, but there is a growing realization that Min Aung Hlaing's regime is not going anywhere. He has been welcomed on official visits to nine nations, including broadly democratic Thailand and India.
The main driver for Western engagement with Myanmar is to counter China's growing influence in the region. The U.S. sees an opportunity to re-engage with Min Aung Hlaing's regime and promote its interests, despite concerns that it may erase America's moral authority in the region.