Burma Feels The Heat

The military dictators who rule Burma have shrugged off outrage from the U.S. and Europe since they imprisoned democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi following a violent clash with her supporters in May.

But when the criticism comes from near neighbors, even juntas may have to take notice. Early last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad raised the extraordinary prospect of expelling Burma from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) if the Nobel peace laureate isn't freed. The frustrated Prime Minister says the junta's continued intransigence "has affected our [ASEAN's] credibility." Mahathir's comments were echoed by...