the way of democratic reforms, the military was largely able to control its image within the international community and escape many of the economic and political consequences it suffered earlier when it openly controlled the country via the SLORC/SPDC regimes. The current situation in Burma is critical and ongoing, with new developments happening every day. Implications for international relations are prolific. If the country is able to steadily decrease the influence of the military and implement true democratic reforms, its location could make the country into a potential international trade hub, and a gateway from the West to Asian and Southeast Asian countries, including China. However, if the military remains as powerful and domineering as it is today, it is not difficult to picture the country backsliding into full-blown military rule once again. 100