As the situation in Myanmar continues to worsen, U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken stated Wednesday that the United States was considering additional measures against the Myanmar ruling military junta.

Blinken, who was on a Southeast Asia trip to improve relations with the region, stated, “In the 10 month since the military coup… the crisis only keeps getting worsening.”

“It is going to be very crucial in the weeks, months ahead to consider what additional steps or measures we can individually and collectively to press the regime to restore the country on a democratic track,” he declared during a joint press conference with Saifuddin Abdullah (Malaysian Foreign Minister).

In February, Myanmar’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown by the military. This sparked violent clashes among her supporters and the army.

A special court in the military-run country sentenced her to four years in prison last week, after finding her guiltyViolation of coronavirus restrictions and incitement

Blinken indicated that the U.S. is “actively looking at” whether or not the treatment accorded to the Rohingya Muslim Rohingya minorities by the junta could be considered genocide.

The following week saw the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom jointly imposed sanctions on Myanmar’s Human rights violations are being perpetrated by “military actors” responsible for violence, repression and other crimes.

Peter Mumford from Eurasia Group is the practice head for Southeast Asia and South Asia. He pointed out, however, that the U.S. sanctions and international sanctions would not have any impact on the government’s efforts to press the junta into changing its course.

Mumford said that Washington was trying to put more pressure on Myanmar’s junta to stop violence and get the country on track towards elections.

“And there’s a question about how far the U. S. and other countries will really want to go on sanctions —  given concerns that could have a negative impact on the population,” he added. The U.S. has very limited options to alter what is happening in Myanmar, according to my realistic assessment.

Malaysia’s foreign minister was present at the press conference with Blinken. He said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations must “do some soul searching” about the events in Myanmar.

ASEAN, which includes 10 members, has struggled to convince Myanmar’s military regime to adhere to its rules. a five-point consensusPlan that was agreed to earlier in the year and includes an end of violence.

Saifuddin declared, “We can’t go on as this.” To address Myanmar’s crisis, ASEAN should look beyond its principle of non-interference.

ASEAN needs to also be aware of the principle non-indifference as Myanmar’s current situation is already affecting ASEAN. “It has already gone to Bangladesh. Malaysia hosts almost 200,000 Rohingya refugees,” he stated.