Senior US military official set for Myanmar visit

03 October 2016
Senior US military official set for Myanmar visit
Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Anthony G. Crutchfield. Photo: pacom.mil

Lieutenant General Anthony G. Crutchfield, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, will visit Myanmar to meet with senior Myanmar government officials, ethnic leaders, and local Myanmar youth from October 3 to 5.  
His visit is an opportunity for a senior U.S. military official to engage with a variety of Myanmar officials and share his perspective on the American civilian-military relationship, according to a press release.
The United States has done a lot to engage with Myanmar over the last five years as the country has opened up, with visit by US President Barack Obama and then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, part of Obama's so called "Pivot to Asia." 
Washington has been supportive of Myanmar's ongoing transition to democracy, recently hosting Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi for an official visit and announcing it will soon drop the main economic sanctions on the country due to the progress that has been made.