Publication

This backgrounder reviews the political and economic problems that have beset Myanmar since the country's independence in 1948. In particular, the authors discuss 1) the political history of Myanmar since its independence; 2) the protests that led to the country's 2010 elections; 3) the democratic and economic reforms instituted by the country's military government since 2011; 4) the evolution of US policy towards Myanmar; 5) the continuing ethnic strife which is afflicting the country; and 6) the difficult governmental and sectarian challenges that lay ahead.