A Situation Briefing teleconference on the recent elections in Myanmar, and the historic victory of Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party, the National League for Democracy, against the pro-military establishment.

After a half century of military control, Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy movement swept Myanmar’s first competitive poll in 25 years. In his concession speech, President Thein Sein vowed to “respect the will of the people” and a “smooth transfer of power." Although Suu Kyi is considered the de-facto leader of Myanmar, she is legally barred from the presidency due to a clause ratified by the military establishment, which still holds considerable government control. There are rising concerns that comprehensive political change will be marred by deadlock and reversion to pro-military policies. Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest for the first time in 1989; the following year her party won Myanmar’s free election in a landslide, but the military effectively annulled the results. The future of her political authority is far from certain.

What will Aung San Suu Kyi do to ensure an orderly transition of power? What are the possibilities of a relapse to a top-down, pro-military government? How will U.S.-Myanmar relations change following the election?

Featuring:

Mr. Ernest Z. Bower, Senior Adviser & Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies, CSIS

Mr. Ernest Bower is senior adviser and Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies and co-director of the Pacific Partners Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Read more.

Dr. Christina Fink, Professor of Practice of International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University

Dr. Christina Fink is a cultural anthropologist who has run a bi-annual capacity building training and internship program for members of Burmese civil society organizations, including women's groups. Read more.

Moderator:

Ms. Erin Murphy, Founder and Principal, Inle Advisory Group

Ms. Erin Murphy is a subject matter expert on Myanmar and the greater Asia region, having worked in Asia since 2001. She is frequently solicited for her views and input by The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, Reuters, Bloomberg, and Associated Press, and is a featured author in The Huffington Post and Myanmar’s Crossroads and publications by the National Bureau of Asian Research. Read more.