The US has not been perfect in its application of soft power over the years,but diplomacy and aid are preferable to war and weapons.
The Myanmar military kept dropping bombs on its own country even after Friday’s earthquake left at least 1600 people dead. The fate of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi is unknown.
Although the violence of the Bangkok building collapse in the massive earthquake is sapping hope that the rest of the missing will be found alive,not all is lost.
Now the brilliant white streets and eight-lane roads of the capital Naypyitaw are veined with gaping splits and cracks,its prized airport in ruins.
Just as resistance forces appear close to capturing the country’s second-biggest city,Mandalay,military rulers put up a new proposal.
Even before the typhoon,the UN estimated 18.6 million people out of a total population of 55 million needed humanitarian assistance.
Sean Turnell was Aung San Suu Kyi’s financial Mr Fix-it and says everything is pointing to the defeat of Myanmar’s junta.
Concerns of a Myanmar military counter-offensive at the border has drawn neighbouring Thailand closer to the conflict.
Myanmar has been locked in civil war since the army took power from Aung Suu Kyi’s elected government in 2021.
Hundreds rallied on the steps of Victorian parliament to protest against human rights abuses in South-East Asian nations ahead of a diplomatic summit in Melbourne.