TIME interview shows junta courting Washington

The release of American businessman Adam Castillo and coup leader Min Aung Hlaing’s rare interview with Time magazine have reignited debate over Washington’s role in Myanmar. As Nyein Chan Aye reports, the events highlight how the United States never fully disengaged, even after the military seized power in 2021.

Castillo, a former head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Yangon, was freed after three months in detention. Days later, Min Aung Hlaing appeared in Time, styling himself as “president” and urging the US to reconsider sanctions. The interview, though critical in tone, gave the junta leader a platform in a major American outlet.

Behind the scenes, Naypyitaw has retained Washington lobbying firm DCI Group on a multimillion‑dollar contract. Filings show Trump ally Roger Stone receiving $50,000 a month to help rebuild ties. The timing suggests a coordinated push to reopen doors in Washington.

Yet, as Aye notes, American involvement never truly disappeared. Trade continued, with US‑Myanmar commerce worth $1.1 billion in 2025 despite sanctions. Geography also plays a role: Myanmar’s position between China, South Asia and the Indian Ocean makes it strategically vital.

History shows a pattern of pressure and pragmatism. From Cold War covert operations to counternarcotics cooperation, Washington has balanced democratic ideals with strategic interests. Even after the 1988 crackdown, limited channels remained open. Later reforms saw cautious engagement, but the 2021 coup exposed how little the military had changed.

Today, Min Aung Hlaing is testing whether the Trump administration’s transactional style might soften isolation. Sanctions remain in place, blocking access to reserves and restricting sensitive exports. His appeal for relief underscores the junta’s vulnerability, even as it seeks a way back into Washington’s orbit.

As Aye concludes, the Americans never really left Myanmar. The question now is not whether they return, but on what terms — and how far strategic interests will outweigh democratic principles.

-2026-09-27