3. China. Related to the previous question, what would China's response be? While the Chinese have interests in the Sudan and Russia certainly is a major supporter of Bosnia, the Chinese and Burmese governments are very close. China would likely veto any security council measures regarding Burma. China is going to see such an action as a western attempt to increase their presence in one of their major suppliers of natural resources. Certainly I doubt the Chinese would send in their military in response to a humanitarian or even a full-fledged invasion, but they do have massive economic power. They could completely undermine the dollar if they chose to. I don't know that they would take such a large step. But the Chinese would have to either play a central role in an invading force or at least be reckoned with very carefully. I don't see the UN or US willing to take that on.
My understanding is that China has already blocked any UN action to alleviate the aftermath of the cyclone in Burma. So, you're totally right: China's interest in protecting the Burmese government is, like that of the Burmese government itself, way greater than their interest in the Burmese people.
And IMO you're right on the larger point, too; as viscerally gratifying as it would be to do very bad things to SLORC, we're not in a position to do those things, and it's far from clear that the Burmese people would end up better off afterwards.
Commenting by HaloScan
