Does Myanmar Still Have One Government to Recognize?

The article examines the diplomatic challenge of recognizing a single government in Myanmar, where the military junta, the National Unity Government (NUG), and ethnic armed groups all claim authority. Despite the junta controlling only a fifth to a third of the territory, ASEAN and the UN continue to treat it as the sole government due to diplomatic norms of one government per state. The junta rejected a Philippine request to meet Aung San Suu Kyi, while Min Aung Hlaing made his first ASEAN visit since the 2021 coup. The NUG, which depends on its armed wing, coordinates with ethnic groups but lacks territorial control. China bypasses the one-government model by making local deals with armed groups. The article argues that the 'one government' framework is outdated for Myanmar's fragmented reality and hinders political settlement.