What’s behind the quiet US diplomatic thaw with Myanmar?

Talks between US officials and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing signal a pragmatic policy shift driven by rare earth demands and cybercrime

Washington slapped sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing just 10 days after his February 1, 2021 coup and the ensuing bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. Waves of subsequent sanctions targeted military-linked companies and cronies.