International Approaches to Combating Scam Operations
The U.S. government approved the “Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization (SCAM) Act” draft bill on 8 December, which includes a call to publish a list of countries supporting scam operations.
The act primarily urges the listing and announcement of countries that accept and support scam operations, which analysts believe could impact the military junta’s efforts to gain international recognition as a legitimate government.
On 3 December, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee also approved the Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act. The Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act includes provisions that would allow for the investigation and prosecution of military leaders, border guard commanders, and cronies connected to scam operations and their assets. [1]
Meanwhile, Chinese state media reported that China’s Assistant Minister for Public Security, Liu Zhongyi, and the military junta discussed rejecting foreign interference in the scam issue.
The discussions covered bilateral and regional cooperation on combating scams, coordination among the regional countries, and China’s support for the junta’s Central Committee for Combating Scams.
The discussion between the junta and China emerged one month after the U.S. announced the formation of its Scam Center Strike Force on 12 November. [2]
On 7 December, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met in Nay Pyi Taw, and discussed border stability, combating drugs and online scam fraud, and collaborating to resolve economic and cross-border haze problems.
The junta’s statement mentioned cooperating on border area stability, jointly controlling illegal arms trafficking at the border, and discussing Myanmar’s election preparations. [3]
International Responses to the Military Junta’s Sham Elections
The EU High Representative announced that they are closely monitoring the military junta’s electoral processes, and that election preparations neither reflect public trust nor meet international standards, therefore it is clear that the election is planned solely to enhance legitimacy for the junta.
The Swiss and Canadian embassies in Myanmar also announced that the junta’s elections are neither free nor fair and do not meet international standards, and that the elections will likely result in increased instability domestically and regionally. [4]
The Australian government also stated that for a genuine peace process in Myanmar, it is necessary to release those arbitrarily detained and conduct inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders, and expressed concern that elections held without these conditions would lead to greater instability and have terrible consequences for the Myanmar people. [5]
Additionally, the Australian Senate has formed an inquiry committee to closely monitor and analyze the military junta’s elections and to observe Myanmar’s democracy and human rights situation. Senator Dean Smith stated that the committee would closely monitor the elections, identify obstacles to the restoration of an inclusive democratic civilian government, expose military oppression, and implement strict restrictions on banks connected to the military.
They will also seek ways to support the National Unity Government (NUG) and civil society organizations and identify opportunities to counter online scam operations affecting Australian citizens. [6]
Meanwhile, India supports Myanmar’s democratic transition, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated at a press briefing on 8 December that inclusive participation is important for credible elections,
and India will continue to support all efforts to restore peace, dialogue, and normalcy in Myanmar. [7]
Members of the Japan Parliamentary League Supporting Myanmar’s Democracy submitted an open letter to Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayano Kunimitsu expressing opposition to the military junta’s elections as they will not be free and fair. The Deputy Foreign Minister who received the petition stated that the Japanese government would consider the points mentioned in the petition and monitor future developments to take appropriate responses. [8]
International Responses to the Junta’s Airstrikes Targeting Civilians
The UK government stated on 10 December, International Human Rights Day, that it was deeply shocked by the military junta’s airstrikes on Debayin Township, Sagaing Region on 5 December, and expressed solidarity with all victims of the ongoing violence throughout Myanmar.
On 5 December alone, the junta conducted no less than 12 airstrikes on Tabayin Township, Sagaing Region, killing at least 20 civilians. [9]
Furthermore, the UN, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), Bangladesh, ASEAN, and regional civil society organizations each issued statements strongly condemning the 10 December airstrike by the junta on Mrauk-U Hospital in Arakan State, which killed 33 people and injured 76.
EU spokesperson Anita Hipper stated that the airstrike on the hospital violated international humanitarian law.
Additionally, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced that the Maungdaw airstrike was the deadliest recorded attack on Myanmar’s healthcare department. [10]
[1] U.S. Senate Approves Draft Law to Publish List of Countries Supporting Scam Operations, DVB, 10 December 2025
[2] Junta and China Discuss Rejecting Foreign Interference in Scam Issue, Mizzima, 13 December 2025
[3] Thailand urges Myanmar to minimize civilian harm in border operations, BBC, 8 December 2025
[4] EU and Canada say military elections don’t build public trust and don’t meet international standards, People’s Spring, 10 December 2025
[5] Australian government declares current Myanmar conditions unsuitable for holding inclusive elections, BVJ, 10 December 2025
[6] Australian senate forms inquiry committee on Myanmar situation before military elections, People’s Spring, 4 December 2025
[7] India calls for free, fair and inclusive elections, DVB, 9 December 2025
[8] Parliamentary league urges Japanese government opposing military junta elections, DVB, 11 December 2025
[9] UK calls for prioritizing civilian protection, DVB, 11 December 2025
[10] UN and international, domestic and foreign organizations strongly condemn Maungdaw bombing, 12 December 2025