Join YCAPS for the next iteration of our webinar series exploring interesting and contemporary topics relevant to our base communities and beyond.

On February 1, the Myanmar military seized power in the country’s third coup since independence from Britain in 1948. Led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, military forces arrested State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. Civil unrest and protests erupted after internet access was shut down and social media platforms like Facebook were restricted.

As the international community starts to respond, some question whether sanctions will be enough.

The Biden Administration swiftly imposed sanctions on military leaders and announced it would block the Myanmar government’s access to a $1 billion fund it has in the U.S. The EU has extended an embargo on arms and other equipment, and Japanese companies that have invested heavily in the country are mulling whether to halt operations. However, some worry that a harsh response from democracies could push Myanmar further into China’s orbit.

With the situation developing every day and limited time to act, it is paramount that conditions in the country are clearly understood. We are pleased to be joined by three expert speakers who will provide their views and insight on the potential causes, outcomes, and impact of this rapidly developing situation.

To join please go to: https://meet.google.com/gkr-fved-tqp

No access code is required.

Amara Thiha is a Research Director at Myanmar Institute for Peace and Security. He is experienced in ceasefire negotiations, ceasefire implementation and joint ceasefire monitoring mechanism. Involved in Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) negotiation process from day-1 and core staff member to setup the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism (JMC) in Myanmar. Working on Security Sector Development and Modification. Leading China Research Desk.

Gwen Robinson is editor-at-large of Nikkei Asia, a journal of Asian affairs, and is senior fellow at the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, where she focuses on regional economic and security issues. She was previously a senior correspondent and editor with the Financial Times in Europe, Asia and the US (1995-2013), most recently as Bangkok bureau chief covering Southeast Asia (2011-14). She is also president of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.

Romain Caillaud is a risk and reputation management consultant with more than a decade of experience providing public affairs and strategic intelligence services to corporations, law firms and nonprofits in Japan and Southeast Asia. Currently located in Japan, Romain was based prior in Singapore and in Myanmar, and is originally from France. He is the principal of Tokyo-based advisory firm Strategic Intelligence & Public Affairs Partners, and associate fellow in the Myanmar Studies Program at Singapore's ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, and a member of the Japan Committee of the Temple University Law School Compliance Advisory Board. Romain first lived in Myanmar in 2006 as an intern analyst at the French Embassy, and from 2008 to 2015 when he studied Burmese at Yangon University of Foreign Languages, established the Myanmar office of a Southeast Asia-focused public affairs firm, and acted as president of the French-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce. Romain is currently advising clients including from Japan on their responses to the political situation in Myanmar.

Webinar price: Free
Format: Off-the-Record
Co-Sponsors: Japan-US Military Program (JUMP), Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies (ICAS).
Moderator: Stephen Nagy, YCAPS Director of Policy Research
Please register by RSVP info@ycaps.org. RSVP not required, but helpful for organizers.

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