Biden administration debates whether to call Myanmar military takeover a ‘coup’



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Formally declaring it a coup, which the administration has yet to do in any of its statements on the matter, would legally force the United States to cut foreign aid to the country. The State Department’s legal office is studying this determination and is likely to take the lead on the matter, officials said.

There is no legal obligation for the United States to formally declare that a military takeover is a coup, but the administration will make this decision if it considers it to be in the best interests of the United States. US national security to do so.

Politico was the first to announce that the debate was taking place.
The Myanmar military arrested Chief Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup.  Here's what you need to know

President Joe Biden said in a statement Monday that the military takeover and detention of Aung San Suu Kyi over the weekend was a “direct attack on the country’s transition to democracy and rule of law “and that it” will require an immediate review of our sanctioning laws and authorities, followed by appropriate action. “

An interagency meeting of the National Security Council’s subcommittees will be held in Myanmar on Monday afternoon and officials are expected to discuss sanctions they could use to respond to the military takeover, two State Department officials said. .

The State Department did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

The Biden administration could apply sanctions as early as this week, but its decision to pull the trigger will likely be affected by the desire to move alongside the allies. They are trying to get a feel for how quickly other countries want to move alongside them, officials said.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

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