The Trump administration has begun direct talks with Myanmar’s military government, reversing years of US efforts to isolate the generals after the 2021 coup. Reuters reported the outreach on October 8.

US Assistant Secretary of State Michael Vance met coup leader Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on September 15 and 16. The talks focused on shutting down scam centres targeting Americans. Officials said engagement could extend to Myanmar’s rare earth minerals. Min Aung Hlaing remains under US sanctions over the Rohingya crisis.

Separately, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hosted Min Aung Hlaing in Putrajaya on October 8. The two leaders discussed the voluntary, safe return of Myanmar nationals from Malaysia. Malaysia is the fifth ASEAN member to host him since he became president in April.

Myanmar’s civil war has killed about 100,000 people and displaced 3.5 million since the coup. Rights groups criticised the repatriation push amid the conflict. Malaysia hosts about 215,600 registered refugees, including roughly 126,000 Rohingya.