Philippines and Burma

Thailand decides to move toward continued levels of exports after pressure from the Philippines:
Possibly US backed - the role of the US in the Philippines.

Burma is in a sad state, but is the humanitarian crisis being exploited? here and here
Quote :

In reality, all American assistance comes with political strings attached. The Bush administration has offered a paltry $3.5 million in financial aid and is pushing for the entry of US officials, aid workers and military personnel to handle emergency relief operations rather than allow Burmese authorities to carry them out. At the same time, the US and its European allies continue to maintain sanctions against the Burmese regime that have compounded the country’s economic difficulties. In the week prior to the cyclone, the Bush administration strengthened its bans on trade and investment and the freezing of assets, all of which remain in place except for a slight easing of restrictions on financial aid.