[calt]

> Why they would risk sanctions to do this is a mystery.

Sorry for offering wild conjecture, but the first thing that comes to mind is some kind of a payout to generals from China, who is hoping for sanctions from the rest of the world so that they can be the sole influencer in the country.

Or some variation on that theme: influence from China.

Or perhaps just some power hungry generals longing for the old days <shrug>

[napier]

No so crazy. Many believe Chinese interests like behind what’s been happening in Rakhine since 2017 as well. The rest of the world shunning Burma benefits the CCP more than anyone other than the Myanmar generals.