Myanmar: Problems and prospects

A recently retired senior diplomat with the US Agency for International Development, John Groarke will discuss his experience as the head of the US Government's humanitarian assistance and development program in Myanmar during 2023-2024. Supporting Myanmar's resistance, both within and outside the country, presented numerous challenges as did the provision of humanitarian assistance to the millions displaced by fighting and natural disasters. The history of, and recent change of US policy towards Myanmar will also be discussed with a view towards the country's near term future.

Speaker biography

John Patrick Groarke is a former senior American diplomat, who has served in countries facing armed conflict, humanitarian crises and public health emergencies. He most recently led the US Government’s efforts to provide assistance to Myanmar’s democratic opposition and those displaced by the country’s ongoing civil war. In South Africa, he served as Deputy Chief-of-Mission and Charge’ d’Affaires, and has served in senior diplomatic positions in Pakistan, Haiti, Afghanistan, Morocco, Egypt and Iraq. Mr. Groarke received the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award from President Biden in 2024 and the Joint Civilian Commendation Medal from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the US Department of Defense in 2023.

Mr. Groarke served as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Defense National War College, America’s premier military training institution, where he taught courses on national security strategy, international relations, military history, and Chinese and Russian influence in Southern Africa.

A native of New York City, Mr. Groarke obtained a B.A. from New York University, M.Sc. degrees from The London School of Economics and the US National Defense University, and a juris doctor from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a national of the US, UK and Ireland.

*Banner photo by Saw Wunna on Unsplash

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