Chapter Nine
Myanmar: The Strategic Blind Spot Undermining U.S. Interests in the Indo-Pacific
Miemie Winn Byrd
There are none so blind as those who will not see.
— John Heywood, 1546
Abstract
Overlooked by the international community, the crisis in Myanmar, sparked by the 2021 military coup, has significant regional and global consequences. This chapter examines Myanmar’s critical role in the Indo-Pacific and the broader geopolitical impact of the coup. It explores the devastating effects on Myanmar’s population, including the rise of organized crime, human trafficking, and widespread displacement, while also highlighting the emergence of a resilient pro-democracy resistance. The chapter analyzes China’s opportunistic actions in the conflict and provides policy recommendations for the United States and its partners to address this strategic blind spot, counter authoritarianism, and support the restoration of democracy and stability in Myanmar.
