Michael Martin is currently an associate fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, where he has also served as a policy advisor on Myanmar, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam over the past two decades.
His work also included a 15-year stint at the Library of Congress’s Congressional Research Service, where he provided Congress with political and economic analysis, including on the conflicts plaguing Myanmar.
It’s a subject that remains close to his heart, and at CSIS he can speak freely about the civil war that erupted after the military overthrew an elected government in early 2021, setting the country on a destructive course that has so far claimed some 50,000 lives.
Martin spoke to The Diplomat’s Luke Hunt about the realities facing the military and anti-regime forces, including Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), the People’s Defence Forces (PDF) and the political leadership within the Government of National Accord.
It is an issue that is gaining momentum in diplomatic circles, given the successes achieved by EAOs and PDF on the battlefield over the past eight months, which many observers – including Martin – believe represents a Turning point in a war that the military cannot win.
He also discusses the recent visit to Hanoi by Daniel Kritenbrink, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific. who reportedly met there with Kyaw Lin Zaw, a commander of the Myanmar Navy.
Finally, Martin also discusses the possible impact of the US elections on Myanmar. November, and what impact a victory by incumbent President Joe Biden or the re-election of Donald Trump will have on foreign policy.
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