Source. Asia Times.

The revelations of Myanmar’s continued missile-related imports from North Korea show that the two sides’ military relations are alive and well despite Naypyitaw’s repeated claims that they have been severed. They also underscore that Myanmar’s autonomous and powerful military, and not the civilian elected government, continues to dominate with secrecy all matters related to national defense.

The UN report’s allegations will no doubt put more international pressure on Myanmar, which already faces tough scrutiny and potential new punitive measures for alleged abuses perpetrated by security forces in the Rohingya refugee crisis.

They may also give US President Donald Trump ammunition to reverse the engagement policies pursued by his predecessor Barack Obama, which with the recently revelations appear to have failed in cutting Myanmar’s strategic ties to North Korea.

That relationship was a major reason why the United States in 2011 decided to shift its policy towards Myanmar from sanctions-imposed isolation to diplomatic engagement with the then ruling military-backed regime.

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