"...This paper gives an overview of politics and development in Myanmar. It places recent political changes in their historical context, focusing in particular on minority conflicts as well as the national context. The role that international aid agencies can play is explored, offering recommendations for policy and practice. There is a risk that pressure to build good relations with the government and to spend pledged funds will lead donors to overlook significant ongoing problems in conflict-affected border areas and elsewhere in Myanmar. Yet the right kind of foreign aid, implemented in the right way, can play a potentially useful role in supporting peace, justice and development. Donors need to learn from experience elsewhere, recognising that many challenges will arise over the coming years despite recent reforms. By building a careful understanding of Myanmar's political economy at the local and national levels, and incrementally establishing programmes, they will be able to build domestic capacity in support of sustainable peace and poverty reduction. Continued engagement can generate opportunities for astutely promoting international standards including human rights..."