The Arsonist as Firefighter: Why US Cooperation with the Myanmar Regime on Cyberscams is a Historical Trap
The U.S. government’s proposed engagement with the Myanmar regime to eradicate cyber scam centres repeats a dangerous historical blunder. In the 1970s and 1980s, Washington partnered with the regime to fight opium production, only for the military to pocket millions, crush political rivals, and legitimise drug warlords while narcotics thrived. Today, the junta relies heavily on scam revenue. Partnering with them grants unearned international legitimacy to the perpetrators, failing American taxpayers and rewarding a criminal regime.