"Kim Jolliffe highlights impacts of the Rakhine State conflict on Myanmar?s international relations in a two-part post... On October 12, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi delivered a ?report to the people” on the recent crisis in Rakhine State. She explained, ?just as no one can fully understand the situation in our country as we do, no one can desire peace and development for our country more than us”. This and other comments in the speech reflect two positions widely held in Myanmar: that criticism of the government from overseas is unfair and patronising, and that the country needs to remain patriotic and stay focused on its broader political and economic agenda. Unavoidably, however, Myanmar?s journey towards ?peace and development” will be deeply impacted by its relations with other countries. In today?s globalised world, the reactions of other countries have real consequences; managing them is a crucial responsibility of good government. Dismissing international relations and relying only on internal ?unity” is a risky strategy for any government, even in times of hardship. This includes cooperating on international humanitarian and security norms and preventing transnational crises. In this two-part blog series, I explore three sets of foreign relations challenges that Myanmar could face as a result of the Rakhine crisis. This post, Part I, looks at impacts on Myanmar?s high-level strategic relations. Part II will look at, first, the relations with majority Muslim countries and, second, the increased threat from transnational Islamist terrorists. Whoever we choose to blame for recent events, Myanmar?s handling of these risks going forward will have significant ramifications for the country as a whole. Self-isolation could only make things worse..."