Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi has First Foreign Visit Since 2021
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
The ICRC visit to Aung San Suu Kyi is a bare minimum gesture from a military regime that has spent years hiding her from the world, since it's apparent this junta has no interest in justice. These token visits and gestures do nothing but legitimize the junta's rule, with Myanmar becoming a prime example of how democratic governments and organizations can be unwitting partners in oppression.
Pro-establishment narrative
The fact that this visit happened at all matters, and shows some transparency from the authorities. Dismissing this as meaningless ignores that real diplomatic progress often starts with exactly these kinds of incremental steps. Engagement with Myanmar is of paramount importance as they grow closer to China and Russia, and the democratic world could lose its chance to help bring change to Myanmar if they walk away.
