Editorial #3: Burma’s Clenched Fist

The editorial “Burma’s Clenched Fist” from the Washington Post focuses on President Obama’s foreign policy with the Southeast Asian nation known as Burma. For decades, the country’s government has been tyrannously suppressing its people—even eliminating or imprisoning political opposition. Since the late 1990s, the U.S. has kept strict economic sanction from the nation, sanctions which were tightened last year by Congress. Former president George W. Bush could only point a finger at Burma’s junta during his presidency. Bush refused to press the issue on China because the Bush administration was not willing to risk limited or no results. The author goes on reminding readers about Obama’s inaugural address where he spoke of helping nations in need but only if they would (quite literally) put down their guns: “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” Imposing sanctions on Burma hasn’t influenced the junta at all, claims Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton. The effort for help and change has to be two-sided. The U.S. has been providing food and fuel to North Koreans for some time now, but the government has yet to turn a leaf. Therefore, for the United States’ help to have any effect, the Burmese government will have a willing to accept help first.

I felt that the article was really interesting. It was a fresh change from reading about all depressing drama that has been happening in America lately. I had heard about the Burmese government police shooting people they were protesting some time back. However, I had no idea that this was an ongoing issue. If the Bush administration had been refusing to take action against the wrongdoing of the Burmese regime because they feared China’s reaction, they I think more cooperation and mature thought should have been taken to account. Surely, being the world’s most powerful nation, a decent negotiation could have been compromised. It was very thoughtful for Clinton to bring up the issue because now President Obama can prove his position, skills, and words as the country’s chief diplomat.