Sean Turnell

"Had the coup not occurred I have no doubt that Myanmar would have made real progress in catching up to its peers and neighbors."

How the "best laid plans" of Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government went awry.

Countries that engage in hostage diplomacy implicitly recognize that the countries they target value the health and safety of their citizens. 

"The difference to the past," says economist Sean Turnell, "is that this junta does not seem to even pretend anymore that it has any sort of vision for Myanmar."

Sean Turnell, 58, was arrested shortly after the February 2021 coup and spent more than 600 days in prison.

The release of Australian economist Sean Turnell and three other foreigners is a likely attempt to preempt ASEAN's growing frustration with the coup government.

Sean Turnell was sentenced alongside Aung San Suu Kyi, whom he served as an economic adviser prior to her overthrow last year.

Sean Turnell, a former adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi, was arrested shortly after last February's coup d'etat.

Cambodia’s embarrassment can only further isolate Myanmar’s military junta.

But there are good reasons to think this concession will serve the military administration's broader goals.

Professor Sean Turnell had worked as an economic policy advisor to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

As expected, the trip did little to advance a solution to the country's complex of political and humanitarian crises.