Burmese Haze: US Policy and Myanmar’s Opening—and Closing

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

7:00-8:15pm Eastern Time

Cover of Burmese Haze: US Policy and Myanmar’s Opening—and Closing, by Erin Murphy

Join the Association for Asian Studies to celebrate the publication of our newest Asia Shorts title, Burmese Haze: US Policy and Myanmar’s Opening—and Closing, by Erin Murphy.

A play on George Orwell’s famous novel, Burmese Days, Burmese Haze provides a unique—and personal—perspective on the historical events and foreign ties that shaped Myanmar and its relationship with the United States. Former intelligence analyst Erin Murphy tells the story of a remarkable political transition and subsequent collapse, taking the story beyond the headlines to explain why Myanmar and US policy toward it is where it is today. The book weaves in historical details, analysis, and memories drawn from interviews with senior US officials and tycoons, monks, activists, and antagonists.

Please note that this webinar will not be recorded.

Session Participants

Erin Murphy

Erin Murphy

Erin Murphy has worked on Asia issues since 2001. She has spent her career in several public and private sector roles, including as an analyst on Asian political, foreign policy, and leadership issues at the Central Intelligence Agency, a director for Indo-Pacific with a development finance agency, leading her boutique advisory firm focused on Myanmar, and as an English teacher with the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program in Saga ken, Japan.

Erin received her master’s degree in Japan Studies and International Economics from Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies, and her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Spanish from Tufts University. She was also a 2017–2018 Hitachi International Affairs Fellow-Japan with the Council on Foreign Relations.

Timothy McLaughlin

Timothy McLaughlin

Timothy McLaughlin is a contributing writer for The Atlantic magazine. Previously he worked for Reuters news agency in Yangon and before that The Myanmar Times as well as other local Myanmar publications. His work has appeared in outlets including WIRED, The Los Angeles Times, and Prospect. He is a two-time finalist for The Livingston Award for International Reporting for work from India, Myanmar, and Hong Kong.