The situation in Myanmar highlights yet another failure of the United Nations to effectively respond to global crises. While the UN condemns the U.S. aid cuts and warns of impending hunger, it fails to provide a real solution—choosing instead to issue symbolic statements while letting the military junta continue its campaign of violence.
The UN’s Inaction and Conflicts of Interest
The United Nations has long struggled to prevent conflicts and enforce resolutions. Now, with growing concerns about conflicts of interest involving its Special Envoy to Myanmar, Julie Bishop, there are serious doubts about the UN’s impartiality. Bishop’s alleged ties to Chinese state-owned companies raise red flags, as China remains the junta’s largest backer, supplying weapons and resources that fuel the war.
The UN’s refusal to take meaningful action, such as sending peacekeepers or enforcing an arms embargo, allows the junta to operate unchecked, continuing its war crimes against civilians. Meanwhile, countries like China and Russia continue arming the military regime, prolonging the suffering of 3.5 million displaced people.
The Role of China and Russia in Fueling Myanmar’s War
Since the 2021 military coup, Myanmar’s Tatmadaw (military junta) has imported over $1 billion in arms and military supplies, with China and Russia as the primary suppliers. China’s interests in Myanmar—especially its access to the Bay of Bengal and natural resources—mean that Beijing has little incentive to see the war end. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has already given China vast control over Myanmar’s infrastructure, ensuring its economic and military dominance in the region.
The study “The Billion Dollar Death Trade” details how weapons continue to flow into Myanmar through Singapore, which serves as a major hub for laundering arms sales through front companies and alternative financial networks. Sanctions remain ineffective due to weak enforcement, allowing Myanmar’s junta to maintain a steady supply of advanced weaponry.
UN Repeats Past Mistakes
The UN’s failures in Myanmar bear striking resemblance to its scandals involving UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), where several employees were linked to Hamas and accused of direct involvement in terrorist attacks. This shows a pattern of systemic corruption, where the UN not only fails to remain neutral but directly enables hostile regimes and extremist groups.
The U.S. Role and Possible Solutions
While President Trump has long criticized the UN’s ineffectiveness, the real question is: what can the U.S. do to stop Myanmar’s military junta? The Biden administration’s support for Ukraine has drained U.S. resources, while countries like Myanmar have been left to suffer under authoritarian rule. If even a fraction of the $113 billion sent to Ukraine were redirected to pro-democracy forces in Myanmar, the junta’s grip on power could be severely weakened.
Conclusion: A Call for Action
The UN has failed in both Myanmar and Gaza—allowing dictatorships and terrorist organizations to operate without consequences. It is clear that real action must come from elsewhere. If the U.S. and its allies truly want to support democracy, they must cut off Myanmar’s military from weapons, block Chinese and Russian interference, and support the resistance forces fighting for freedom.
The time for symbolic UN resolutions is over. Myanmar needs real action.
