Myanmar: Is the US undermining the EU's diplomatic blockade?

The US government has begun a quiet reproachment with Myanmar 's military-backed government, holding two rounds of talks since September, with State Department representative Michael Vance reportedly meeting Myanmar officials in Naypyitaw and then in Tokyo earlier this month. Washington wants to tackle online scam centers, secure the release of an imprisoned American businessman Adam Castillo, and potentially gain access to Myanmar's rare-earth resources . The market for the valuable minerals is currently controlled by the US rival China . Meanwhile, Southeast Asian governments are also increasingly questioning their policy of isolating Myanmar's military leadership, and multiple countries have already renewed direct diplomatic contacts.