MYANMAR’S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN THE 21ST CENTURY: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BANGLADESH
Keywords:
MYANMAR’S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES, BANGLADESHAbstract
The Union of Myanmar is a least developed country under a military regime,
geographically located in the middle of rising economic powers and a vibrant
economic region, with abundance of energy resources within itself. Therefore,
considering peaceful rise of China and India in this 21st century, geo-strategically
Myanmar could be truly a gem. Thus, I offered the facts by reviewing its relationship
with specific countries in three layers, firstly with immediate neighbors, secondly
with next to neighbors and thirdly with big powers in the globe. Consequently, in
this framework of relationship, I have argued comprehensively how Myanmar’s
strategic objectives emerged as development networks with immediate neighbors,
engagement networks using the region’s connection with big powers in the
globe and the survival network with likely involvement of next to neighboring
countries. In this report, Myanmar is the center of gravity for arguments to infer
the emergence of those networks as strategic objectives, while implications are
shown for Bangladesh limited to respond only.
Downloads
References
Books
Alam, Commodore Khurshed Mohammad, Bangladesh’s Maritime
Challenges in the 21st Century, Pathak Shamabesh, Dhaka 1000, 2004.
Brief History of the Myanmar Army, Defence Services Museum and
Historical Rsearch Institute, Rangoon, Myanmar, February, 1999.
Maung, Shwe Lu, BURMA Nationalism and Ideology, An Analysis of society,
culture and politices, The University Press Limited, Dhaka, 1989.
Morten B. Pedersen, Emily Rudland and R.J. May, BURMA-MYANMAR
Strong Regime Weak State?, Crawford House Publishing Pty Ltd,
Adelaide SA 5000, August 1999.
National Security-BANGLADESH 2008, Bangladesh Institute of
International and Strategic Studies, The University Press Limited,
Dhaka, 2009.
Thant Myint-U, The Making of Modern BURMA, Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2001.
E-Books, Articles, Publications, Documents, Briefs and Reports
Andrew Selth, “Burma and North Korea: Smoke or Fire?”, Policy
analysis paper in ASPI (Australia Strategic Policy Institute), 24 August
Andrew Selth, “Burma: A Strategic Perspective”, A working paper #
, published in Asia Foundation Working Paper Series. Australian
National University, May 2001.
Andrew Selth, “Burma and Nuclear Proliferation: Policies and perceptions,”
Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, 2007.
“A.Q. Khan’s Nuclear World,” A book on collected reports on A Q
Khan.
A.Q. Khan Nuclear Chronology, Issue Brief, Carnegie Endowment For
International Peace, Volume VIII, No. 8, September 7, 2005
Allison, Graham, “Nuclear Disorder: Surveying Atomic Threat”, Journal
Article Vol. 89, Issue 1, Belfer Center for Science and International
Affairs, Havard University, January/February 2010
Aung Zaw, “ASEAN-Burma relations, Collection of articles in
Challenges to Democratization in Burma by IDEA”, Available at http://
www.idea.int/asia_pacific/burma/upload/exec_summary.pdf.
A Sourcebook on Allegations of Cooperation between Myanmar
(Burma) and North Korea on Nuclear Projects: Version of 2010-04-01,
Available at http://www.fas.org/man/eprint/burma.pdf.
Bechtol, Bruce, “Creating Instability in Dangerous Global Regions:
North Korean Proliferation and Support to Terrorism in the Middle East
and South Asia”, Marine Crops Command and Staff College, Virginia,
US, 2009.
Bertil Lintner, “Burma: Too Much to Hide”, The World Today, Vol. 62,
No. 7, Royal Institute of International Affairs, London, July 2006.
Bertil Lintner, “Myanmar and North Korea Share a tunnel vision”,
a media news on 19 July 2006, Available at http://www.atimes.com/
atimes/Southeast_Asia/HG19Ae01.html.
Bergman, Oscar and Andreas Malarstedt, “Assessment of EU Policy
on Burma,” Policy Brief No 20, Institute for Security & Development
Policy, Stockholm - Nacka, 26 February, 2010.
Borchgrave, Arnand de, Thomas Sanderson, David Gordon, “The
Power of Outreach: Leveraging Expertise on Threats in Southeast Asia’
A report of the CSIS Transnational Threats Project, Washington DC,
April 2009.
Bosson, Andrew, “Displacement and Causes of Displacement in
Mandalay Division”, A collection of documents on forced relocation/
eviction and other coercive measures in Mandalay Division. Internal
Displacement Monitoring Centre, 26 April, 2007.
“Burma: Continued Arbitrary Sentencing”, Statement by the Press
Secretary on Burma, White House NEWS, 17 November 2008.
“China Brief”, A Journal of Analysis and Information, The Jamestown
Foundation, Vol. IX, Issue 15, July 2009, Washington, DC, USA.
“China’s Ambitions in Myanmar-India Steps up Countermoves,” IISS
Strategic Comments, Volume 6, Issue 6, July 2000, Myanmar, Available
at www.iiss.org/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=418.
“Comparative Connections - A Quarterly E-Journal on East Asian
Bilateral Relations”, Vol. 2, No. 4, Fourth Quarter 2000, Honolulu,
Hawaii, January 2001.
“Current Realities and Future Directions in Burma/Myanmar:
Perspective from Asia”, A Book on collection of reports by Asia Society,
March 2010, Available at AsiaSociety.org/Burma Myanmar Report.
Charnysh, Volha, “India’s Nuclear Program”, Nuclear Age Peace
Foundation (NAPF), Santa Barbara, California, USA, 03 September,
China’s National Defence in 2008, Information Office of the State
Council of the People’s Republic of China, January 2009, Beijing,
China. Available at http://www.china.org.cn
Chongkittavorn, Kavi, “Thai-Burma Relations”, Available at www.
idea.int/asia_pacific/burma/upload/chap5.pdf
Cordesman, Anthony H, “Syrian Weapons of Mass Destruction: An
Overview”, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington
DC, 02 June, 2008.
Cortright, David, “Overcoming Nuclear Dangers”, A Policy Analysis
Brief, The Stanley Foundation, 209 Iowa Avenue, Muscatine, USA,
November 2007.
Crisis Group Asia Report No. 177, “China Myanmar Dilemma”,
Available at http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/north-east-asia/
china/177-chinas-myanmar-dilemma.aspx.
David Albright, Paul Brannan et el, Burma: A Nuclear Wannabe;
Suspicious Links to North Korea;High-Tech Procurements and
Enigmatic Facilities, ISIS Report published on 28 January, 2010,
Available at http://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/burma-a-nuclearwanabee-
suspicious-links-to-north-korea-high-tech-procureme/.
Edward Hunter Christie (Ed.), Joseph Francois, Waltraut Urban, Franz
Wirl, China’s Foreign Policy: Genesis, Deployment and selected effects,
FIW Research Report 2009/10 No 03, January, 2010.
Egreteau Renaud, “India and Burma/Myanmar Relations, from Idealism
to Realism”, Center de Sciences Humaines, New Delhi, India, 11
September 2003.
Fuhrmann, Matthew, Sarah F. Kreps, “Targeting Nuclear Programs
in War and Peace,” Belfer Centre Discussion Paper 2009-11, Havard
University, John F Kennedy School of Government, October 2009.
Gates, Secretary Robert, US Department of Defence, “Gates: Nuclear
Weapons and deterrence in the 21st Century”, Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace, Washington DC, 28 October, 2008.
Gregory L. Schulte, “Uncovering Syria’s Covert Reactor”, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, Polity Outlook, January 2010.
Gwillim Law, “Divisions of Myanmar,” Available at http://www.
statoids.com/umm.html.
Ho, Kyin, “Nuclear Claims Deserve Skepticism”, Available at, http://
newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archieve/Soc, 23 April, 2006.
“Innovating the Regime”, Carnegie International Nonproliferation
Conference, Federal News Service, Washington DC, April 6, 2009.
Khine, Thander, “Foreign Direct Investment Relations between
Myanmar and ASEAN,” IDE Discussion Paper No 149, Institute of
Developing Economics, JETRO, Japan, April 2008.
“Myanmar: 2004-2007”, Strategic Programme Framework, United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nations Office at Vienna,
November, 2004.
“North Korea under Tightening Sanctions”, Asia Briefing No 101,
International Crisis Group, Brussels, Belgium, 15 March, 2010.
“North Korea’s Nuclear Test: The Fallout”, Policy Briefing No 56,
International Crisis Group, Brussels, Belgium, 13 November, 2006.
“Nuclear Crisis Points: Iran, North Korea, Syria and Pakistan,” Carnegie
Inernational Nonproliferation Conference, Federal News Service,
Washington, DC, April 6, 2009.
“Nuclear Posture Review Report(NPR-2010),” published on 06 April,
by Department of Defence, USA, Pp.3-4. Available at http://
merln.ndu.edu/index.cfm? secID= 151 & pageID= 3 & type= section.
“Pakistan and Israel”, Stimson-Pragmatic Steps for Global Security,
Washington DC, April, 2009.
“Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of China 2008,” Edited 2009
“Thailand in the 2000s,” International Relations, www.mfa.go.th/
multimedia/E_Book/b4.pdf
“The EC-Myanmar/Burma Strategy Paper (2007 – 2013)”, Available
at http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/asia/country-cooperation/
myanmar/myanmar_en.htm.
“The Iran Nuclear Issue: The View from Beijing”, Asia Briefing No
, International Crisis Group, Brussels, 17 February, 2010.
“Three Diseases Fund”, Programme documents agreed with government
of Myanmar, June 2006, Available at http://webarchive.nationalarchives.
gov.uk/+/http://www.dfid.gov.uk/ Documents/publications/threedisease-
fund.pdf.
“India Swaps Arms for Cooperation with Myanmar” Jane’s Defence
Weekly, 11 October 2006. Available at jdw.janes.com/docs/jdw/
asiapacific.shtml
“Indo-Myanmar Trade Below Target in 2006-07”, Economic Times
(India), 03 May, 2007, Available at http://economictimes.indiatimes.
com.
K. Yhome, “India-Myanmar Relations (1998-2008), a decade of
redefining bilateral ties”, A paper written in Observer Research
Foundation (ORF) # 10, New Delhi, January, 2009.
Kim, Chang-yeon, “Myanmar-South Korean Economic Cooperation:
Prospects and Strategies” US Korea Institute of SAIS, August, 2009.
Krepon, Michael, “Numerology in the Second Nuclear Age,” A
Proliferation Papers, Ifri Security Studies Center, France, 2009.
Kudo, Toshihiro, “China and Japan’s Economic Relations with
Myanmar: Strengthened vs Estranged”, Available at http://www.ide.
go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Brc/pdf/01_chinaandjapan.pdf
Kudo, Toshihiro, “Myanmar’s Economic Relations with China: Can
China Support the Myanmar Economy?”, Institute of Developing
Economics (IDE), JETRO, Wakaba, Chiba-shi, Chiba, JAPAN, July
Kurt M Chambell, “Purposes and Principles of US Engagement in
Burma,” Statement of the Assistant Secretary, Bureau of east Asian
and Pacific Affairs. Available at: http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/
rm/2010/05/141669.htm
Larry A. Niksch, “North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons development and
Diplomacy”, A publication in Congressional Research Service, 05
January, 2010.
Lewis M Stern et al, “Burma in Strategic Perspective: Renewing
Discussion of Options”, a publication in Strategic Forum of Institute
for National Strategic Studies in National Defense University, No 249,
October 2009.
Lintner, Bertil, “Burma and its Neighbours”, New Delhi, Radiant
Publishers, 1998.
Loo, Bernard F W, The Terrible Allure of Nuclear Weapons, Rajaratnam
School of International Studies (RSIS), Singapore, 2009.
Lu Yin, “Challenges of Non-Proliferation in Northeast Asia and Possible
Solutions”, Asia Paper Published by the institution for security and
development policy, Sweden , February 2010.
Mathea Falco, Chair, “Burma: Time for Change”, A Report of an
Independent Task Force Sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations,
New York, 2003.
Medcalf, Rory, “Wicked Weapons: North Asia’s Nuclear Tangle”, Lowy
Institution for International Policy, September 2009, Sydney, NSW,
Australia.
Mullrt, Harald, “The Future of Nuclear Weaapons in an interdependent
World,” Washington Quarterly, Spring 2008.
Nanto, Dick K, Mark E. Manyin, “China-North Korea Relations”, CRS
Report for the Congress, 22 January, 2010.
Niksch Larry A, “Burma-US Relations,” Congressional Research
Services, 04 October, 2007.
Norman Robespierre, “Nuclear bond for North Korea and Myanmar”,
an article in media on 04 October 2008. Available at http://www.atimes.
com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JJ04Ae01.html
Park, Dr Sun-won, “A Proposal for a ‘Bosworth Process’ with North
Korea: Denuclearization and Beyond”, The Brookings Institution,
Washington DC, USA, October 2009.
Paul B. Stares and Joel S. Wit, “Preparing for Sudden Change in North
Korea” Special Report No. 42 by Council on Foreign Relations, New
York, NY 10065, 2009.
Phillips James, “Iran’s Nuclear Program: What is known and Unknown”,
No. 2393, The Heritage Foundation, Washinton DC, 26 March, 2010.
Pilat, Joseph F, “Nonproliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament, and
Extended Deterrence in the New Security Environment,” Volume VIII,
Issue 4, Centre for Contemporary Conflict at the Naval Postgraduation
School, Monterey, California, USA, September 2009.
Poon Kim Shee, “The Political Economy of China-Myanmar Relations:
Strategic and Economic Dimensions”, Available at http://www.ritsumei.
ac.jp/acd/cg/ir/college/bulletin/e-vol1/1-3shee.pdf.
Prosser, Andrew, “Nuclear Trafficking Routes: Dangerous Trends in
Southern Asia”, Centre for Defence Information, Washington DC, 22
November, 2004.
Przystup, James J. “North Korea:Challenges, Interests, and Policy”,
Strategic Forum No.250, Institute for National Strategic Studies,
National Defence University, Washington DC, USA, November 2009.
Rashid, Barrister Harun ur, “Maritime Security: Diplomatic Initiatives”,
Paper presented at the Seminar on Maritime Security of Bangladesh
Organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic
Seminar (BIISS), Dhaka, 12 February, 2009.
Renaud Egreteau, “India’s Ambitions in Burma; More Frustration Than
Success?”, A French independent researcher in Paris.
Richard A. Bitzinger, “No.126, The China Syndrome: Chinese Military
Modernization and the Rearming of Southeast Asia”, S. Rajaratnam
School of International Studies, Singapore, 02 May, 2007.
Saifuddin, Shah Mohammed, “Myanmar: An Emerging Security
Threat”, The New Nation, Bangladesh Independent News Source, 21
March, 2009.
South Ashley, “Displacement and Dispossession: Forced Migration and
Land Rights in Burma”, The Centre on Housing Rights and Evistions
(COHRE), Geneva, Switzerland, 2007.
Squassoni, Sharon A, “Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Weapons and
Missiles: Status and Trends, 14 January 2005, Congressional Research Service,
The Library of Congress, CRS Report on Congress, Washington DC.
Squassoni, Sharon, “Nuclear Energy: Rebirth or Resuscitation?”,
Carnegie Endowment For International Peace, Washington DC, 2009.
Squassoni, Sharon, “The Realities for Nuclear Expansion”, Carnegie
Endowment For International Peace, Washington DC, 12 March, 2008.
Squassoni, Sharon, “Weapons of Mass destruction: Trade between
North Korea and Pakistan”, CRS Report for Congress, The Library of
Congress, 28 November, 2006.
Taylor, Robert, “The State and statism in Burma (Myanmar)”, London,
Winter 2009.
Trevor Wilson, “Foreign Policy as a Political Tool: Myanmar 2003-
”, Available at http://epress.anu.edu.au/ myanmar/pdf/ch05.pdf.
Tuli Sinha, China-Myanmar Energy Engagements Challenges
and Opportunities for India, Southeast Asia Research Programme
(SEARP)Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi developing
an alternative framework for peace and security in the region, IPCS
Issue Brief no 134, December, 2009.
Union of Myanmar: length of border with immediate neighboring
countries, Available at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworld-
factbook/geos/bm.html.
Vibhanshu Shekhar, “A Federal Democratic Myanmar-India’s Strategic
Imperative”, An article published in IPCS ISSUE BRIEF, No 67, New
Delhi, May 2008.
Wit, Joel S, “Four Scenarios for a Nuclear North Korea”, Paper prepared
for the US-Korea Institute at School of Advanced International Studies
(SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC, February 2010.
Wook, Chung Chong, “The Korean Peninsula in China’s Grand
Strategy: China’s role in Dealing with North Korea’s Nuclear Quandary,
Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore, 8 March 2010.
Wyler, Liana Sun, “Burma and Transnational Crime”, Congressional
Research Service, 25 Ocotber, 2007.
Xuegang, Zhang, “Southeast Asia and Energy: Gateway to Stability,”
China Security, Volume 3 No 2, World Security Institute, Washington
DC - 20036, US, Spring 2007.
Xiaolin Guo, “Towards Resolution: China in the Myanmar Issue”,
Uppsala University, Sweden, 2007. Available at http://www.
silkroadstudies.org/new/docs/Silkroadpapers/2007/.
Yarger, Harry R, Strategic Theory for the 21st Century: The Little
Book on Big Strategy, February 2006, Available at http://www.
StrategicStudiesInstitute.army.mil/.
Websites
http://www.myanmars.net/myanmar/facts-about-myanmar.htm.
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/asia/country-cooperation/myanmar/
myanmar_en.htm.
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/acd/cg/ir/college/bulletin/e-vol1/1-3shee.pdf4.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bm.html.
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/ north-east-asia/china/177-chinasmyanmar-
dilemma.aspx.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma.
http://www.statoids.com/umm.html.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Peace_and_Development_Council.
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dfid.gov.uk/threedisease-
fund.pdf.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Burma#List_of_Heads_of_
Government.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Than_Shwe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khin_Nyunt.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soe_Win.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thein_Sein.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakhine_State.
http://www.abitsu.org/?p=2859.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyotindra_Nath_Dixit.
http://www.biiss.org/elahi.pdf.
http://www.aseansec.org/64.htm.
http://www.idea.int/asia_pacific/burma/upload/exec_summary.pdf.
http://www.aseansec.org/20100.htm.
http://www.aseansec.org/24509.htm.
http://www.aseansec.org/24509.htm.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_revolution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron_revolution.
http://www.aseansec.org/23222.
http://www.unscburma.org/Updates/2007/UNSCUpdate 12 January, 2007.
html.
http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2010/05/141669.htm.
http://www.asean.org/22122.htm.
http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/myanmar/index_en.htm.
http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/myanmar/index_en.htm.
http://www.deltha.ec.europa.eu/Myanmar/MM2008/BurmaMyanmarSP
-2013EN.pdf
http://www.mizzima.com/news/world/3867-eu-renews-sanctions-againstburmese-
regime-.html,
http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/
http://www.aseminfoboard.org/page.phtml?code=About
http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/myanmar/index_en.htm,
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HG19Ae01.html
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JJ04Ae01.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oplan_5027 , http://isis-online.org/isis-reports/
detail/burma-a-nuclear-wanabee-suspicious-links-to-north-korea-high-techprocureme/
http://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/burma-a-nuclear-wanabeesuspicious-
links-to-north-korea-high-tech-procureme/
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090930/BLOGS01/909309959,
http://www.the-diplomat.com/001f1281_r.aspx?artid=371
http://www.the-diplomat.com/001f1281_r.aspx?artid=371
http://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/burma-a-nuclear-wanabeesuspicious-
links-to-north-korea-high-tech-procureme/
http://merln.ndu.edu/index.cfm?secID=151&pageID=3&type=section
http://merln.ndu.edu/index.cfm?secID=108&pageID=3&type=section#nuclear
http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/NK/Nuclear/47_1273.html,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_foreign_exchange_
reserves,
http://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/burma-a-nuclear-wanabeesuspicious-
links-to-north-korea-high-tech-procureme/
http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/bangladesh/bangladesh_
transportation.html,