On April 9, 2026, YCAPS co-hosted a closed-door roundtable with The Stimson Center in Washington, D.C., bringing together a diverse group of Myanmar experts, former diplomats, think tank scholars, and embassy representatives to examine how democratic middle powers have responded to Myanmar's three-part elections, which took place from December 2025–January 2026.
The roundtable, held under the Chatham House Rule, was organized as part of Stimson's Myanmar Roundtable series. Pamela Kennedy, Fellow and Deputy Director of Stimson's China Program, delivered opening remarks, followed by remarks from YCAPS Research Fellow Sam Baron. The moderated discussion featured contributions from former government officials, serving embassy officials, and researchers from leading think tanks focused on Southeast Asia.
The discussion centered on the diverging responses of middle powers — particularly Japan, India, and South Korea — to the elections, and what those responses reveal about how those countries may choose to engage with the “new” Myanmar government formed by the military in March 2026. Participants also discussed the implications of the United States' reduced engagement and China's growing influence over Myanmar's conflict trajectory.
A highlight of the roundtable was a virtual address by Amb. Ichiro Maruyama, a former Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar, who provided insights into Japan's historical diplomatic posture toward the country and its current engagement. A question-and-answer session followed, enriching the discussion with perspectives on the leverage middle powers retain and the conditions under which they might adjust their future policy approaches.
YCAPS is grateful to The Stimson Center for its partnership in convening this timely and productive dialogue — and looks forward to future collaborations.