Diplomatic Thinking from an Ambassador

“People need to understand that the military junta has no ability to govern or to bring stability to the country. Nor is there some easy compromise deal to be struck through a couple of weeks’ negotiation. There should be an effort to support all of the elements that are trying to build a new Myanmar.”

These are the words of Scot Marciel from a recent podcast episode, whose diplomatic career spans 37 years, and who served as the US Ambassador to Myanmar from 2016 to 2020. This was a transformative period marked by democratic hopes, the worsening of the Rohingya crisis, and the complex question of sanctions. His tenure saw a delicate balance between engagement and pressure on Myanmar's military junta, advocating for continued aid while also determining how to respond to the increasing atrocities. Marciel sought to understand Myanmar's complexity beyond simple narratives, and he emphasizes the need for international support amid Myanmar's ongoing turmoil.

Marciel's statement here underscores a crucial perspective on the Myanmar crisis. Fundamentally, diplomacy relies on dialogue. So his assertion that meaningful talks with the military junta may not yield results is significant. As an experienced diplomat, his stance highlights the severity of the situation, suggesting that the crisis in Myanmar is so deeply rooted and complex that quick compromise solutions are unlikely. Marciel also emphasizes a need to move beyond surface-level discussions and instead work towards understanding the nuanced historical and social intricacies of Myanmar to craft more enduring solutions. And by questioning the military's credibility as a dialogue partner, let alone a governing authority, he highlights the imperative of not giving undue legitimacy to a regime with such a terrible track record. Instead, in order to ensure the country’s future stability and prosperity, he calls for the international community to reach out to those who advocate for a federal democracy, one that respects human rights, in building this “new Myanmar.”