Since the independence in 1948, the military juntas have ruled the government and the Myanmar effectively. When the transition started in 2008 from military junta to democracy, the army became concerned. Military chief General Min Aung Hlaing announced that army will impose at least a yearlong state of emergency.

Myanmar has abundant natural resources but lacking of democratic institutions. Therefore, the army has always been in control of country. Since army has been strict of controlling the country, it does not allow the democratic institutions to grow. Since 2000s, the economy is one of the weakest in the world although the Asia region has grown extraordinary. The civilian government became the new administration through the elections in 2010 although most of the ministers were retired army generals. In 2015, Suu Kyi who led the opposition largely from house arrest won the national elections.

Since the civilian government formed, the foreign investment had flown into the country. Since 2010, Myanmar grew fast. But the recent coup might frighten the investors although the army seems not believing so. Most international companies probably won’t feel however announced to suspend local operations till further notice. The uncertainty is created and without sufficient confidence, it may not easily come back. It is relatively vital to modernize Myanmar economy.

Army has not got any tangible threats from the government. Thus, raises why army feels to control the country? It might be personnel ambition of army generals is what most think of. However, there is a new trend in the world. Most developing countries have shown the signs of illiberal administration or controlling the countries through coup. And the world powers; specially US, have failed to show fair responds accordingly. This encourages them to follow such path while they know it is more or less accepted by West anyway as much as the West interests are majorly kept. Therefore, democracy becomes not the initial concern but the interests.

Military has made its choice and seems it is successful. It will be a wrong signal to weak countries in long-run. Biden administration likely to fail showing strong reactions to Myanmar although some sanctions would be applied. For Biden administration or any administration in US from now on would impose a risk which cannot be controlled in long run; does US foreign policy to contain China regardless any attention to the developments in other parts of the world encourage the weak states to distance themselves from democracy?