Russian Economic Policy Drives Interests in Myanmar

The Power and Interest Report (PINR) has published a new intelligence brief on Russian policy in the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar. The brief, titled "Russian Economic Interests Drive its Policy on Myanmar," was published October 8 and is available on the PINR web site.

According to the brief, the unrest that is plaguing Myanmar right now presents opportunities for external actors to influence the region. Of the main powers involved, Russia, China, India and the United States, PINR says, Russia has joined with China in an effort to safeguard Moscow's economic interests.

Russia has been active in Myanmar of late, with investments in a nuclear research center and off-shore oil deposits. The latter involves a joint effort with PetroChina. A military link between Myanmar and Russia exists as well, with PINR citing Myanmar's purchase of 15 Russian jet fighters in recent years in a deal worth around $150 million. According to PINR, economic investments in Myanmar "...are especially important to Russia."

The brief speculates that Russia, which PINR notes is one of the world's foremost exporters of natural gas, "...is most likely utilizing Myanmar and its oil and natural gas deposits...to further its goals of monopolizing Europe's energy industry and possibly expanding its economic and political interest into the East." The brief cites a Russian Foreign Ministry statement on Myanmar that says "urgent steps must be taken to prevent the escalation of tensions." According to PINR, the Foreign Ministry statement supports the notion that Russia wants to solve the tensions in Myanmar, but also warns that Russia wants to resolve the crisis in order to preserve Russian interests.