2/2/2021

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            I am worried about Maynmar this morning. I several Friends with ties to Yangon. During my conversations with them, I have witnessed the strong draw that the place has on those who have lived there. So, it troubles me to see the Tatmadaw has detained Aung San Suu Kyi & has taken control of the government. It seems that they are following DJT’s playbook by fabricating a stolen election & then making a coup on the day that the election was to be made official. Just like the Evangelicals who supported DJT, some monks are supportive of the military. Several US journalists opine that Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has made a major miscalculation, because the young folk in the military have doubts & may start to refuse to follow orders. Thanks to social media they can share those doubts & get organized to resist their leaders. I hope you will monitor this situation closely & exert economic pressure. Apparently, Maynmar has experienced bloody internal conflicts in the past & I’d hate to see that happen again.

            On a brighter note, It seems that your conversation with SMC was positive. She tweeted that the meeting was “excellent” & “productive,” so at least she felt heard. My colleagues & I are engaged in a community building effort where we practice “deep listening.” I wish more folks would learn to do that.

            I’m glad to hear that you are trying to modernize our immigration system. That will require a lot of compromise. I hope we can get there.

            BYBS,