Consequent to several months of back channel negotiations, Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, will lead a US delegation to Myanmar on November 3, 2009. This visit signifies the emerging consensus among Western democracies to review the failed economic sanctions and the arms embargo imposed on Myanmar and a desire to enter into a dialogue with the Generals before elections are held next year. At another level, the intention is clearly to gradually reduce China?s overpowering influence in the country. To discuss these issues, a seminar was held at the Brookings Institution and the School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Washington, D.C., on October 29-30, 2009.