U.S.-Burma relations in 2012 were an outcome of years of diplomatic maneuvering since the downgrading of U.S. representation in Burma in 1988, a result of the U.S. government's dual-track policy, using carrots and sticks.

President Barack Obama paid a much heralded visit to Myanmar last week. With little else going right with the American project to promote democracy in the world, Myanmar was a natural feel-good tale -- feel good about bright prospects for the Burmese and feel good about America's devotion to the noble cause of freedom.

Upon learning of Obama's trip to Myanmar -- the first visit to the country by a sitting president -- I immediately recalled my own long relationship with the country. The White House has characterized the trip as an economic meeting, but it represents much more than economics.

YANGON, Myanmar -- Downtown Yangon came to a near halt Monday during President Barack Obama's historic visit to this once pariah nation. Crowds flood...

Obama's visit to 'cut the ribbon' on a seemingly foreign policy success story is the culmination of years of risk-taking leadership from previous presidential administrations. Sadly, the Obama team hasn't even taken risks on the difficult issues of Cuba, Palestine, Sudan or Iran.

* Shift in US strategic focus to Asia * Obama heading to Myanmar, in transition to democracy * Won't be able to forget M...

The few hours that the president will spend on the ground in Myanmar sends a signal that the government is no longer an international outlaw. But the president's stop-over has the potential to advance rather than set back reform.

Engaging Burma may encourage that state to continue on a more independent course. The regime isn't likely to dump its patron -- China is too close. However, any distance between Naypyidaw and Beijing would be a positive.

Even as President Barack Obama endorsed India's candidacy for the U.N. Security Council, he scolded New Delhi for not being tough on its neighbor, Burma.

For the first time in nine years, the United States allowed Burma's foreign minister to come to Washington, a sign of softening U.S. policy toward the...

Burmese monks talk to HuffPost about Suu Kyi's arrest, repression in Burma and the state of the democracy movement about a year and a half after the Saffron Revolution.

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S inaugural address made the world's tyrants a proposition. "We will extend a hand," Mr. Obama said, "if you are willing to unclench y...