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US Opens Talks With Myanmar's Military, Reversing Isolation Policy
Confirmed
In Short: The US has begun direct talks with Myanmar's military-installed government, reversing its post-coup policy of isolation.
According to reports from the Japantimes (Japan) and The Times of Israel (Israel), the US administration has initiated direct talks with Myanmar’s military-installed government, marking a significant shift from previous policies.
The Japantimes (Japan) and The Times of Israel (Israel) both report that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, Michael Vance, played a key role in these talks, which took place in Naypyitaw on September 15-16.
Both outlets agree that the talks were aimed at securing the release of American businessman Adam Castillo, who had been detained in Myanmar.
The Japantimes (Japan) and The Times of Israel (Israel) also note that the talks provided an opening for broader engagement, including discussions on shutting down scam centers targeting Americans.
The Times of Israel (Israel) adds that the talks could lead to discussions on Myanmar’s rare-earth mineral deposits, which are of interest to the US due to its efforts to diversify supply chains away from China.
The Japantimes (Japan) and The Times of Israel (Israel) both highlight that this is the highest-level contact between the US and Myanmar’s military leadership since the 2021 coup.
Moderndiplomacy reports that the emerging relationship reflects a broader change in US policy toward Myanmar, despite the country’s military government remaining under US sanctions and facing accusations of serious human rights abuses.
The Times of Israel (Israel) notes that Vance, who typically does not steer policy, has met with players from all sides of Myanmar’s conflict, including democratic opposition and ethnic armed groups.
Both outlets agree that the talks were aimed at securing Castillo’s release but also provided an opening for broader discussions.
The Times of Israel (Israel) and Moderndiplomacy report that Myanmar sought an official engagement with Washington at an appropriate level in exchange for Castillo’s release.
The Japantimes (Japan) and The Times of Israel (Israel) both quote a spokesperson as saying, “You don’t solve problems by ignoring them. You solve problems by addressing them.”
The Times of Israel (Israel) and Moderndiplomacy agree that the Trump administration’s policy shift toward Myanmar marks a significant change from its previous approach of sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
What this adds
The Japantimes (Japan) and The Times of Israel (Israel) both emphasize the role of Michael Vance in these talks, highlighting his unusual involvement in shaping policy.
Moderndiplomacy notes that the shift in policy comes despite ongoing sanctions and human rights concerns, underscoring the complexity of the US approach to Myanmar.
What's confirmed
- Vance joined talks with coup leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyitaw on Sept. 15-16.
- The meeting was aimed at securing the release of American businessman Adam Castillo but also provided an opening for further engagement, four of the people said.
- The U.S. assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research, Michael Vance, played a leading role in the outreach, which has focused on shutting down scam centers that target Americans but could lead to broader engagement, including on Myanmar’s rare-earth mineral deposits, according to seven current and former officials and others familiar with the policy shift.
- “You don’t solve problems by ignoring them. You solve problems by addressing them,” spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
What's still developing
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- Less than two weeks after Vance’s visit, Myanmar’s military conducted an airstrike on a crowded marketplace in Rakhine state, killing over 50 people and injuring scores more, according to United Nations human rights officials.
- People familiar with the matter said White House, National Security Council and State Department officials held back-channel negotiations with Myanmar officials to secure his release.
- Intelligence chiefs — such as Vance — do not typically steer policy because of concerns about compromising analytic independence.
- Two people familiar with the matter said the FBI has had direct contact with Myanmar’s authorities on cyber scams.
- “If you let policy dictate to intelligence, you can’t be sure you’re getting a real honest assessment of the facts,” said Richard Betts, an adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations who has consulted for US intelligence agencies.
- Vance, who became involved in Myanmar policy while advising US Vice President JD Vance on Asian affairs, has also met in person and virtually with the democratic opposition and ethnic armed groups fighting the military, five of the people said.