US Initiates Secret Diplomatic Talks with Myanmar’s Military Junta in Tokyo
The Trump administration has launched direct, secret negotiations with Myanmar's military-backed government in Tokyo, marking a shift in US foreign policy.
POLICY WIRE — Washington/Tokyo — The United States has engaged in a second round of clandestine discussions with Myanmar’s military-backed leadership within the span of a single month. These meetings, held recently in Tokyo, signal a significant pivot in Washington’s approach toward the generals who seized power during the 2021 coup.
This diplomatic outreach represents a sharp departure from the previous strategy of isolating the regime. The administration’s efforts follow an initial meeting that took place in mid-September in Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw.
The primary objectives of these discussions, led by Michael Vance, include securing the release of an American businessman and dismantling illicit scam centers operating within the country. While the current focus remains on these specific issues, sources indicate that the dialogue could eventually expand to cover broader interests, such as Myanmar’s mineral deposits.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
