United States Foreign policy - Why North Korea But Not Myanmar?

The United States has been at the forefront of moves to weaken the North Korean government. It has forwarded and beloved United Nations safety Council resolutions that levy a truckload of sanctions against what they call a "rogue state". However, a similar dictatorship exists in Myanmar (Burma) and yet nothing much has been done on it. Why is this so?

First, let us discuss the geopolitical aspect. The United States, geographically, is nearer to the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Archipelago. At a time of war, it can directly send forces from home to these places. Sites like Camp Humphreys in Anjung-ri and Pyongtaek, South Korea and the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Japan, are directly have direct sea routes to the United States waters.

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On the other hand, Myanmar is more complicated. Going there would mean going through numerous national boundaries of Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Thailand and many more. At a time of war, this can prove to be too perilous for Us forces, as they will be subjected to much hostility in the process. Thus, protecting East Asia is more beneficial to the Us than protecting Myanmar.

Second, East Asia has a bigger and richer cheaper compared to Myanmar, which virtually has none. Protecting the stability of East Asia will be economically more beneficial to the United States as it will ensure the continuity of active trade with the Us. Most of those that surround Myanmar, on the other hand, are still developing, compared to electronics giants South Korea and Japan.

Furthermore, the United States has forces deployed in many other places in the world. It is also fighting simultaneous wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Adding Myanmar to the list will mean additional allocation deficits, something that is very difficult to defend in congress. If Myanmar is included in the picture, Us forces will be spread too thinly, something that is a no-no when it comes to approved warfare. In short, there is very minute economic incentive to help Myanmar, compared to helping South Korea.

In short, politically and economically, Myanmar for the United States is not too interesting.

United States Foreign policy - Why North Korea But Not Myanmar?

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