At the recent ASEAN summit in Laos, Southeast Asian leaders engaged with a representative from Myanmar's junta, marking the first high-level participation from Myanmar in over three years. This meeting aims to revitalize stalled diplomatic efforts to address Myanmar's ongoing civil war, which has led to significant loss of life and displacement. The junta's attendance comes after issuing an unexpected invitation for peace talks with opposition forces, amid military setbacks. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan emphasized the need for Myanmar to adhere to ASEAN's principles. Additionally, tensions in the South China Sea, following clashes between Chinese and Southeast Asian fishermen, are also on the agenda. Despite these developments, U.S. officials remain skeptical about the junta's willingness to engage genuinely in the peace process.