Our recent election on November 6th went without much controversy this time around. For us, the right to vote is fundamental even if we do not always exercise that right every election. Most of the time (save the two recent presidential elections), we can be assured that elections are run fairly and that, for better or for worse, the voter’s mandate will be effected at the polls. As Americans we have taken for granted that such a system would work without us having to think much about it.

The recent military crackdown on peaceful protesters in Burma and the arrest of Musharraf’s political opposition in Pakistan remind us that free and fair elections do not come naturally for those who hold unfettered military power. Musharraf’s promise to quit his uniform following the issuance of martial law and hold elections next year is as dubious as Burma’s military junta’s gesture to open dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and the opposition. 

At the moment, the United States has yet to reverse Musharraf’s heavy-handed suppression of the opposition and it appears that there is little the United States can do to pressure Pakistan because of its special status as an American ally against al Qaeda and terrorism. Similarly, the United States and the international community have few leverage against the Southeast Asian hermit state—Burma. While the world condemns Burma’s military junta’s recent crackdown and views the junta as a pariah, it has been reported that Laos’ Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh recently welcomed Burma’s Prime Minister Thein Sein and each pledged to enhance bilateral ties and strengthen their country’s relations. Through this one act Laos has my vote for second chair to Burma as Southeast Asian pariah state.