Jason Tower

Steve Ross, Stimson Center expert on Myanmar crises; Jason Tower, analyst of illicit economies; Derek Mitchell, former U.S. ambassador and Asia policy advisor; Zachary Abuza, Southeast Asia security scholar. They probe China’s evolving pressure after Operation 1027. They discuss shifting frontlines, narcotics-and-scam war economies, Beijing’s hedging to secure access, and bleak prospects for a unified Myanmar.

Jason Tower, a Senior expert at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, delves into the complex financial landscape fueling Myanmar's civil war. He discusses how both the military and rebel groups finance their efforts through illicit means, including narcotics and scam operations. Tower highlights the emotional toll on civilians and personal stories from those resisting military rule. He also sheds light on the grim reality of advanced weaponry being employed in this high-tech conflict and the role of foreign interests.