Published : 28 Mar 2026, 05:00 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:31 PM
The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs has urged the Donald Trump administration to overhaul its Myanmar policy, calling for decisive steps to isolate the ruling military junta and expand support for pro-democracy forces amid deepening instability.
In a statement issued Thursday as part of an ongoing policy review, committee members warned that continued engagement with the military authorities would undermine US interests, arguing that the leadership lacks both effective territorial control and legitimacy.
Led by Representative Young Kim and ranking members Gregory Meeks, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and Ami Bera, the committee outlined bipartisan congressional priorities to guide the review.
“As the Trump administration and the Department of State undertake a review of US policy towards Burma, we write to share bipartisan congressional priorities to shape and inform the review,” the committee said.
The committee described Myanmar as a “fractured state”, noting that the military controls only about 21 percent of the country, while more than 40 percent remains under the influence of resistance groups.
It also dismissed elections held between December 2025 and January 2026 as neither credible nor inclusive, with voting disrupted across large parts of the country.
Lawmakers raised concern over Myanmar’s deepening alignment with China, Russia and Iran, citing military cooperation, surveillance technology transfers, and continued supplies of fuel and arms supporting ongoing operations.
The humanitarian toll remains severe, with more than 1.6 million refugees in neighbouring countries, 3.5 million internally displaced people, and over 6,800 civilians killed since the 2021 military takeover, the committee said.
It also pointed to restrictions on humanitarian access, including delays in aid delivery following the March 2025 earthquake.
The report further highlighted the expansion of transnational scam networks operating from Myanmar, often linked to trafficking, which have defrauded victims globally.
To respond, lawmakers proposed a series of measures:
• Diplomatic isolation: Avoid formal engagement and reject recent election outcomes as illegitimate
• Expanded sanctions: Target military-linked institutions, including key financial entities
• Security focus: Address transnational crime networks operating from Myanmar
• Humanitarian support: Increase cross-border aid and improve delivery mechanisms
• Policy coordination: Appoint a senior-level coordinator to oversee Myanmar strategy
• Resource allocation: Restore funding streams to sustain US engagement in the region
The committee said a coordinated approach -- combining pressure, humanitarian assistance and diplomatic engagement -- would be critical to shaping outcomes and supporting a return to civilian governance.
