On Dec. 28, Myanmar’s military regime held the first phase of fraudulent and tightly controlled elections in 102 of the country’s 330 townships. Even though the largest opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), is barred from participating in elections and the military is continuing deadly airstrikes around the country, there are worrying signs that governments around the world, including the United States, may be prepared to reengage the military. Now is not the time for the Trump administration to overhaul U.S. Myanmar policy.

The military has arrested more than 200 citizens for criticizing the election under a restrictive “election protection law.” Even liking Facebook posts critical of the military’s rigged polling exercise has proved sufficient grounds for arrest. With the military in control of less than half of the country’s total territory, granting the regime the political recognition it craves would not serve Washington’s long-term interests or those of the people of Myanmar.

On Dec. 28, Myanmar’s military regime held the first phase of fraudulent and tightly controlled elections in 102 of the country’s 330 townships. Even though the largest opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), is barred from participating in elections and the military is continuing deadly airstrikes around the country, there are worrying signs that governments around the world, including the United States, may be prepared to reengage the military. Now is not the time for the Trump administration to overhaul U.S. Myanmar policy.

The military has arrested more than 200 citizens for criticizing the election under a restrictive “election protection law.” Even liking Facebook posts critical of the military’s rigged polling exercise has proved sufficient grounds for arrest. With the military in control of less than half of the country’s total territory, granting the regime the political recognition it craves would not serve Washington’s long-term interests or those of the people of Myanmar.

Since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, which ousted the democratically elected NLD and its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, U.S. policy has focused on diplomatic isolation of the junta and targeted economic sanctions. The United States has coordinated its sanctions policy and diplomatic messaging with allies such as the United Kingdom, European Union, and Canada to maximize the efficacy of its pressure campaign. However, the Trump administration has signaled it is considering a major overhaul of U.S. policy.

Last November, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem

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