Taken together, these three developments hold out the promise of more reliable data and greater clarity about the US Government’s views regarding Burma’s relationship with North Korea – including the complex problem of Naypyidaw’s nuclear ambitions. This is to be welcomed, for the public debate sorely needs an informed and objective official view to balance the more sensationalist stories that periodically appear on this subject.

– Extracted from Andrew Selth, “Burma and North Korea: Reality Checks”, The Interpreter, 27 April 2011.

Previous New Mandala coverage of this issue is available here and here, among other places.