Despite years of isolation by a despotic regime, the world is watching the military crackdown on peaceful protesters in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The official death toll is now ten. Diplomats in the capital say it's more than that by "many multiples." Now there are reports of "unusual troop movements" and a disagreement between the chief of the military junta and his second in command, who leads the army. Condoleezza Rice calls the crackdown a "travesty," and neighboring countries have expressed "revulsion," but all eyes are on China, which has ruled out sanctions. We get an update and background on a country compared to North Korea for brutalizing a starving population. With no economic interests, should the US still intervene or keep a low profile? Have Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo damaged America's moral standing?
What Should the US Do about Burma?
Credits
Guests:
- Simon Long - Asia Editor for the Economist
- Jennifer Quigley - Human Rights First - @humanrights1st
- James Lilley - Former US Ambassador to South Korea and China
- Dan Slater - Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago
- Carl Gershman - President of the National Endowment for Democracy