Myanmar: Eastern Clout & Western Absence

Myanmar is a strategically located country. Its coastline meets the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman
Sea to the west, borders Thailand and Laos to the east, China to the northeast, and India and Bangladesh to the northwest. Its long borders with neighbors have been one factor contributing
to long term ethnic conflicts within the country, however, its 2000 km coastline and five bordering
neighbors also give it excellent trading potential, especially given its energy assets.