Cambodian interventions will not ease Myanmar crisis

Significance

Cambodia is the 2022 chair of ASEAN, which has a five-point plan for resolving conflict between the Myanmar junta and its opponents. Hun Sen held talks with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing but did not meet ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who faces years in jail.

Impacts

• The intensifying conflict will make it difficult to distribute humanitarian assistance and COVID-19 vaccines.
• Efforts by certain external players to encourage a return to elected government will likely diminish.
• The NUG’s commitment to violent insurgency will stop Washington, the junta’s foremost critic, backing the shadow government formally.