Here is the article -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/clinton-to-become-first-us-secretary-of-state-to-visit-burma-in-50-years/2011/11/18/gIQAh2DtWN_story.html
1. How does this story tie-in with the previous blog post?
2. Why has America and Burma NOT had good relations with one another?
3. What has Burma recently done to help fix this broken relationship?
4. What is the geopolitical significance of having Burma "on our side?"
This story ties in with the previous blog post because once again Hilary Clinton is visiting another foreign country in hopes of softening diplomatic ties; this time however she is focusing on Burma and the United states. This was anounced by President Obama after he had a meeting here in the U.S. with Southeast Asain leaders. Since the 1962 coup, the military leaders have taken a hard anti-democratic line, cracking down on opposition leaders. Burma has recently freed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi last year, and hundreds of other political prisoners have been released since then. If Burma keeps on the road to democratic reform, it can forge a new relationship with the United States of America. The United States has interpreted the country’s recent actions as signals that Burma’s rulers are interested in improving their ties with the West. During Obama’s nine-day Asia-Pacific tour, he has aimed to try and reastablish the U.S. as a leader on economics and security in that region. The reason for this trip has been marked by tensions with China, calling on Bejiing to “play by the rules” on international trade and in disputes involving military confrontations in the South China Sea. Burma is located between India and China and has long had strong bilateral relations with Beijing. Since Burma has been showing interest in improving their ties with the West, the significance of this being that they may be able to help us in future negotioations.
ReplyDeleteOn December 1st, President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be visiting Burma in a "thawing of diplomatic ties." This is much like his previous trip to Asia where he also was attempting to strengthen our relationship with the country. The reason being that Burma's military leaders have taken a hard anti-democratic line, and have been cracking down on opposition leaders. But to show that they're open to improving relations with the West, Burma recently freed political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
ReplyDelete1. This ties into our previous blog because on the President's trip through Asia, he announced that his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be visiting Burma.
ReplyDelete2. Ever since the government took power in a coup back in 1962, Burma has held a hard anti-democratic line and imprisoned hundreds of opposition leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
3. Burma has finally released these prisoners, indicating that they might be opening up to Western influence.
4. Burma is located in a part of the world that has a negative view of democracy and Western influence. A country that favors democracy, especially one that practices it and invites Western influence, would be a great political achievement for the United States and democracy itself.
This story ties in with the previous blog post because President Obama had been visiting countries in the same area when he announced that Clinton would be making a two-day trip staring Dec. 1 with Burma. This trip is also being done with the same intention of resolving some diplomatic ties. The reason for America and Burma not having good relations with each other is because Burma has had a hard anti-democratic line since 1962. The government that has taken over since has cracked down on opposition leaders such as Aung San Suu Kyi and many others. To try to fix this relationship that has been strained for so many years, Burma has released Kyi along with many other political prisoners. Burma has also created a human rights commission, lifted media restrictions and proposed a new labor organization to represent the rights of workers. Burma is located between India and China which are both not all that into democracy. Since it seems that Burma is looking to increase their ties with the West, Burma gives the U.S. a gateway to spread democracy into these countries.
ReplyDeleteThis is related to our previous blog post because the president has announced that Hilary Clinton will be visiting another country. She is once again trying to mediate and releive the diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Burma. Burma and the U.S. have not had goos realations with each other because of its closed political system and its treatment of minorities. Ever sense a 1962 coup Burma military leadaers have held a hard anti-democratic line cracking down on opposition leaders. Burma has made efforts in attempts to try to repair this relationship by releasing their prisoners.The new government has created a human rights commission, lifted media restrictions and proposed a new labor organization to represent the rights of workers. Burma is a country that is located between India and China and has long had strong bilateral relations with Beijing. This means that Burma could help us with our negotiations.
ReplyDeleteThis article ties into the previous one because President Obama and Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, will be visiting Burma in order to soften diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Burma. Since the 1962 coup, Burma has taken a hard anti-democratic line. In order to try and mend the broken relationship, they have just recently released Aung San Suu Kyi from prison along with many others. it would be beneficial to have Burma on our side because they are located in a part of the world that has a negative view of democracy, and if they were to side with us, maybe the countries that surround Burma will also side us and change their views about democracy. This would be a huge achievement for democracy and especially for the U.S.
ReplyDelete1. This article and the previous article have the mediation of two countries in common. Clinton will be visiting Burma this time in an attempt to forge a new relationship and mend diplomatic ties. Because of Burma's past military leaders, ties with America have not been the greatest. These leaders have taken an "anti-democratic" line. Obama states, "We remain concerned about Burma’s closed political system, its treatment of minorities and holding of political prisoners, and its relationship with North Korea.” However, Burma has been in the process of releasing some of these prisoners suggesting that they may be opening up to us. Having Burma on our side would help us to spread democracy in a place where there is a negative view of it and the Western hemisphere.
ReplyDeleteThe article is related to the blog post that was posted last week because it is again along the lines of President Obama and the Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. Both of them will be visiting Burma to bring our policy to their country and try to take their diplomatic and tie it between the U.S. Since the 1962 coup, Burma has taken a big anti-democratic mind set. In order to try to mend the broken relationship, they have just released Aung San Suu Kyi from prison along with many other imprisonment criminals. It would be beneficial on U.S.'s part to have Burma on our side because they are located in a part of the world that has a strong dislike and a negative view of democracy and mostly our democracy. If they were to side with us, then maybe the countries that surround Burma will also side us and change their views about democracy. This would be something the U.S has been trying to do for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteThis article relates to the previous blog post article because President Obama recently met with several countries in the Southeastern Asia region, and now he announces Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be meeting with Burma, another country in that region. The United States and Burma have not had good relations with one another for quite a while. This is because the current military government that was installed after a coup in 1962, have taken a “hard anti-democratic line.” Burma has also imprisoned thousands of opposition leaders and supporters including Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. To try to repair their relationship with the west, Burma has recently released hundreds of political prisoners. Having Burma on our side is significant because it is between India and China, two countries that don’t have the most positive view of democracy. So if we can spread democratic influence to Burma, then that would be a great achievement for the United States.
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ReplyDeleteThis story ties into our previous blog because the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, is again traveling to foreign countries hoping to thaw diplomatic tides. This time she is visiting Burma. America and Burma do not have a good relationship because Burma has held a anti-democratic line and has imprisoned of opposing leaders, such as Aung San Suu Kyi. America also is against Burma’s treatment of minorities. Burma, to help fix the broken relationship with America, has released Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders. This shows that Burma may be opening up to Western influence. Burma coming over to our side would be seen as a great political achievement for America, since it favors democracy and welcomes Western influence. Also, because of the area Burma is located in, between India and China, the influence onto Burma may be transferred onto the surrounding countries. Hopefully this will lead China and India to form a more positive outlook on democracy.
ReplyDeleteThis story ties in with the previous blog post because President Obama announced that Hillary Clinton would be making a two day trip to Burma while he was on his own trip to Asia. America amd Burma have not had a good relationship with each other since 1962 when the current government took over in as military coup. Since then they have held a hard anti-democratic line, cracked down on opposition leaders, and imprisoned Nobel Prize Winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Recently Burma has released hundreds of political prisoners, created a human rights commission, lifted media restrictions and proposed a new labor organization suggesting that they want to repair their relationship with the west. Burma is geopolitically significant because it is Located between India and China. Neither of those countries are democratic and is the U.S. were to increase their influence in Burma they might be able to increase it in other countries in the area.
ReplyDeleteThis article ties in with the previous one because it was mentioned before by President Obama that Sec. Clinton would be making a trip to Burma. Since 1962, Burma has had strong opposition towards democratic influences. In extreme cases, their government has imprisoned opposing leaders. Recntly Burma has released these political prisoners in possible hopes of fixing their western influences. Burma is in a location in the world where democracy is rarely seen or practiced. If the United States can extend a hand who is willing to try with western influence it would be a great accomplishment. With Burma, the US may be able to create a domino effect and cause other countries in the region to experiment with democracy.
ReplyDeleteIn the previous post, the President announced that Secretary Clinton would be taking this trip to Burma. This is surprising, due to the strict anti-democratic views of Burma's military leaders, who have been in power since a military coup in 1962. The government imprisons many pro-democratic leaders, but recently, they have released many; possibly suggesting an opening to the Western world. Due to its position, around many countries who are anti-democracy, an ally will be a huge achievement, and an aid in negotiations with such countries.
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