View on Asia: Myanmar / Burma

Myanmar/Burma has had a spurt of foreign relations controversies ever since it abruptly adjourned its controversial 2004 National Convention to draft a new constitution. In August 2004, Myanmar/Burma was hit by renewed sanctions from the US, faced being banned from the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and its officials were barred from the 28th Olympic Games in Athens for its lack of human rights and democracy—a reminder that Myanmar/Burma still remains one of the most difficult foreign policy challenges in Asia for the international community.