Today: 7 October 2025
12 February 2021
2 mins read

‘Coup in Myanmar an extraordinary threat to national security’

US President Joe Biden on Thursday called the “coup” in Myanmar an “extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States” and declared a national emergency to deal with it...writes Arul Louis.

In an executive order to freeze Myanmar’s funds in the US, he made the dire assessment of that country’s military arresting State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy this month after the party had won a resounding victory in parliamentary elections last year defeating the military-backed party.

The order implements the sanctions he announced against the military regime of Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday.

Biden, who referred to the country by its old name of Burma, had said that the US would impose strong exports controls on it and freeze its government assets in the US.

His spokesperson Jan Psaki said the assets were $1 billion.

The White House said the Treasury Department designated ten persons including Hlaing and three companies, two of which trade in gems, with ties to the military.

The wide-ranging order issued on Thursday blocks the military, its officials and their families, and other government officials or others involved in repressing Myanmar’s citizens from accessing funds in the US and from travelling to the US.

Myanmar’s State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (R, front) lays a wreath during a ceremony to mark the 72nd Martyrs’ Day in Yangon, Myanmar. (Xinhua/U Aung/IANS)

The reason behind describing the military takeover as an “extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States” is that it is an affront to Biden’s agenda of promoting and defending democracy so soon after he assumed office, rather than an existential threat from a relatively minor state.

The declaration of national emergency will enable him to bypass Congress in imposing sanctions.

Myanmar, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

The harsh statements from the Biden administration on Myanmar’s retreat from democracy expose the US double standards on democracy: Biden is unable to hold, for example, China or Saudi Arabia to the standards he demands of Myanmar, as was Trump after claiming to defend democracy in Venezuela through sanctions.

Before announcing the actions against the Myanmar military, Biden and his officials spoke about that country with leaders in the region.

Myanmar crisis came up in phone conversations this week that Biden had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Secretary of State Antony Blinken with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Also Read-1st Philia Forum: Europe, Arab world deepen ties

Read More-Facebook limits Myanmar military content as misinformation spreads

Previous Story

Hathras case: Court rejects bail plea of 2 accused

Next Story

Blinken, Saudi FM discuss Houthi attack on Abha airport

Latest from -Top News

OCTOBER 7: Stop the Violence Now, Says Guterres

Guterres recalled that “the attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals….reports Asian Lite News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, Israel, and

Piyush Goyal Heads to Doha for Trade Talks

During the visit, both sides are expected to discuss the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA)….reports Asian Lite News Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Doha, Qatar, on

Hamas Heads to Egypt for Gaza Talks

The negotiation will focus on the details of enacting the first phase of the plan…reports Asian Lite News A delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Sunday ahead of

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with
Go toTop