Is It Time to Invade Burma? - TIME

The Asian Times wants us to invade also.

Asia Times Online :: Southeast Asia news and business from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam

Where did this new found respect for unilateral US military intervention come from ?

I have a second home, literally, in SE Asia. I don't know enough about Myanmar outside of the typical rebels that are present in many SE Asian countries and the recent cyclone catastrophe. I think most other parts of Asia would welcome the presence of the US once again, especially the large number of bases we once had in the Philippines. IMO it's because we wouldn't be seen as declaring war so that our actions as a stabilizing agent would work better there than in the middle east, i.e. Iraq.

Myanmar (Burma) is under the "influence" of China. That means their jackbooted junta carries the same paranoia. With medeval like pandemics that will result from the lack of basic care after the cyclone the death tally looks to dwarf the 2004 tsunami. I've read estimates of 500,000 already .

Factionalism and tribalism in Burma exceeds that which is found in Iraq. Once the junta was overthrown would we be seen as a stabilizing force ? Once the first civilian was killed by our actions would we not been seen as the invaders ? Would it be worth the cost anyway ?

LOL, I love the closing line, "But we still haven't figured out when to give war a chance." I think what it is, is the left will bless unilateral intervention by the US on the basis of human rights until we actually do so. They'll whine and plead on behalf of Tibet, Darfur and Myanmar, excoriate the US for not doing anything - and as soon as someone in government mentions the idea of intervening they'll cry foul.

We applauded at the bravery of Tienanmen Square protests back in '89 and then kept buying socks made in China. It's an enigma for the US to try to force them to do anything and China knows they have the last say on diplomatic measures. One, because they are hardened in their willingness to suffer through turmoil and two, for the past decade they have positioned themselves by having a share of the international market that includes the west.