WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Lawmakers warned Tuesday that the United States is running out of time to confront Burma's conflict, urging for stronger U.S. response as the military junta tightens its grip and prepares for upcoming elections.
The House Committee on Foreign Relations hosted a joint hearing with the East Asia and Pacific and South and Central Asia subcommittees focused on "No Exit Strategy: Burma's Endless Crisis and America's Limited Options."
The hearing spotlighted the country's deepening humanitarian and security crises. More than 3.6 million people have been displaced since the 2021 coup, along with 1.3 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, according to Chair Young Kim, R-Calif.
Kim flagged major issues that include the spread of junta military-linked scam centers, fentanyl trafficking, military control of about 20% of the country's land and the junta further seeking legitimacy by learning on China and Russia.
Depite junta controls of a large segment of Myanmar's land, Kim said he remained hopeful because the resistance forces hold twice that amount, meaning that the junta is creating "an illusion of legitimacy."
