ASEAN as a mediator of Burma rejoining the international community by Emmanuel Yujuico

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Western powers alike the US and the EU have long been at loggerheads over how to bring Burma back into the international fold. Whereas ASEAN has preferred to use “constructive engagement” that does not publicly ostracize Burma, Western powers have had longstanding economic sanctions in place regarding trade and investment. Which approach is more effective? Recent openings by Burma or (officially) Myanmar suggest that ASEAN’s carrots may pave the way for the removal of Western powers’ sticks instead of the other way around.