Archive · 8 Oct 2026
US Opens Direct Talks With Myanmar’s Military, Reversing Isolation
The United States has started talking directly with Myanmar’s military leaders.
The military took power in a 2021 coup, and the United States had previously tried to isolate it.
Officials say the talks include efforts to stop scam operations that steal money from Americans.
The discussions also helped secure the release of American businessman Adam Castillo.
US officials have talked about Myanmar’s rare-earth minerals, which are used in products such as electric vehicles and wind turbines.
But many of those minerals are in areas controlled by groups fighting the military.
The US government says talking to Myanmar’s leaders does not mean it has stopped dealing with other groups.
Some US lawmakers argue that the talks could make the military government seem more legitimate.
US officials held direct talks with Myanmar’s military-installed government, including a September 15–16 meeting with Min Aung Hlaing.
The discussions focused on shutting down scam centers targeting Americans and securing the release of detained businessman Adam Castillo.
Officials also discussed Myanmar’s rare-earth deposits, though much of the resource is in territory controlled by armed groups fighting the military.
The outreach marks a shift from years of US sanctions and support for the opposition after the 2021 coup.
Critics say engagement risks giving the military government legitimacy; the State Department says it raises concerns about violence and political prisoners.
- Who
- US officials, including Assistant Secretary of State Michael Vance, and Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing.
- What
- The Trump administration began direct talks with Myanmar’s military-installed government.
- When
- Vance met Min Aung Hlaing on September 15–16; the year is not specified in the article.
- Where
- Naypyitaw, Myanmar; an earlier meeting was held in Tokyo.
- Why
- The talks addressed scam centers targeting Americans and Castillo’s release, and opened discussion of broader engagement, including rare-earth minerals.
Supporters of engagement
Critics of engagement
Direct talks with Myanmar’s military government
Supporters of engagement
The State Department says it engages with groups on issues affecting US interests and argues that problems are addressed through engagement.
Critics of engagement
Representative Gregory Meeks says engaging Min Aung Hlaing risks granting the military government greater international legitimacy and conflicts with US values and interests.
Maintaining pressure and support for opposition groups
Supporters of engagement
The State Department says engagement with the military does not diminish its relationships with other groups and says assistance continues for areas outside military control.
Critics of engagement
Meeks argues the administration has failed to implement congressionally mandated sanctions and deploy appropriated democracy funding; officials cited in the report say many opposition-support programs were cut.
Role of intelligence officials in policy
Supporters of engagement
Vance took part in the outreach as part of an administration that says it operates as a team under the president.
Critics of engagement
Richard Betts cautions that allowing policy to dictate intelligence can undermine confidence in an honest assessment of facts.
- Highest-level contact
- The September meeting was described as the highest-level US contact with Myanmar since the 2021 coup.
- US official
- Michael Vance, Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, took part in the talks.
- Detained American
- Adam Castillo was detained at Yangon airport on June 11 and was later released.
- Main stated focus
- Shutting down scam centers operating in Myanmar and targeting Americans.
- Rare earths
- US officials discussed access to Myanmar’s heavy rare-earth deposits; much of the resource lies in territory held by ethnic armed groups.
- Sanctions
- Min Aung Hlaing remains under US sanctions for human rights abuses.
- Recent violence
- The article says a military airstrike on a crowded marketplace in Rakhine state killed more than 50 people and injured scores, according to UN human rights officials.