"Since 1988, worldwide public opinion has been firmly against Myanmar?s Armed Forces, the Tatmadaw. The Tatmadaw have been pressed to let civil society take control of the country?s administration. Nobody would claim that the ?Burmese Way to Socialism? was a success, not even the military officials wanted to be linked to the old government?s policies in the nineties. Likewise, most ex-military holding posts in the current quasi-civilian state don?t want to be linked to the former regime. Acknowledging these views, I argue the military might be and should be of great importance to policy making in Myanmar. Nowadays the Tatmadaw is adjusting itself to protect the country against excessive dependence, or even domination, by foreign powers? interests and agendas. This could be achieved through national reconciliation, with both civilian and military groups acknowledging each other?s role and making policies together. Also, the country needs to prepare for undesirable but possible outcomes of the liberalization, such as financial instability and lack of competitiveness. For all these challenges, the military can still be important as ?guardians? of stability in Myanmar. Attempting to avoid and alienate the Tatmadaw from government would only bring back the politicization that plagued the institution for many decades. Given the abrupt socio-economic changes that are being experienced, the political elites should stay together to repel political turmoil and religious fundamentalism (e.g. the 969 movement)..."