Trump-ally Roger Stone condemned for providing lobbying services to Myanmar’s military junta

Lead

US political strategist Roger Stone, a longtime ally and confidante of President Donald Trump, has been hired by Myanmar's military-backed government to rebuild relations between Naypyidaw and Washington, according to filings under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act. The arrangement, which pays Stone $50,000 monthly as a consultant for the Washington-based lobbying firm DCI Group, has drawn criticism from activists who say he is profiting from a regime accused of war crimes.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the development has emphasized different angles. The Guardian's coverage focused on the condemnation of Stone's involvement, describing the Myanmar government as "military-backed" and highlighting allegations of atrocities and a recent "sham" election. The South China Morning Post (SCMP), meanwhile, framed the story as Myanmar's attempt to "rebrand itself" through lobbying, noting that the deal could offer the regime "a sliver of hope" for improved relations with Washington, while remaining cautious about the likelihood of major breakthroughs.

Both outlets agree on the core facts: Stone is a close associate of Trump, receives $50,000 monthly from DCI Group, and the contract — reportedly worth $3 million, signed in July last year — aims to improve ties with the US, focusing on trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief.

Key Claims

• Hiring of Stone: According to filings under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act, Myanmar's Ministry of Information has hired Stone to provide "public affairs services" aimed at "rebuilding relations between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the United States." This was reported by both The Guardian and the SCMP.

• Compensation and contract: Stone draws $50,000 monthly as a consultant for DCI Group. The SCMP reported that DCI Group signed a $3 million contract with Myanmar in July last year — a figure not mentioned in The Guardian's account.

• Stone's relationship with Trump: Both outlets describe Stone as a longtime friend, ally, and confidante of President Trump, with ties spanning four decades.

• Stone's criminal conviction: The Guardian reported that Stone was convicted in 2019 of obstructing a congressional investigation into possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia, sentenced to 40 months in prison, and granted clemency by Trump in 2020. The SCMP did not include this information.

• Myanmar's international isolation: Both outlets note that Myanmar's leaders have been internationally isolated since the 2021 coup. The Guardian adds that the military has been accused of atrocities that may amount to war crimes, and that recent elections were widely condemned as a "sham."

• US sanctions: The Guardian reported that the US has imposed sanctions on individuals and businesses linked to Myanmar's military, both in response to alleged genocide against the Rohingya minority and the 2021 coup.

Perspectives

Critics' view: Justice for Myanmar, a civil society group, accused DCI Group and Stone of profiting "from a heavily sanctioned junta that is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity with total impunity." The Guardian's report echoed this critical stance, framing Stone's work as ethically problematic given the junta's human rights record.

Stone and DCI Group's position: Neither Stone nor DCI Group has publicly commented on the allegations, as noted by The Guardian. Their perspective, if any, remains unreported.

Myanmar's governmental view: The filings describe the work as focusing on trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief, suggesting the junta sees this as a legitimate diplomatic effort to improve relations with the US. The SCMP's neutral framing highlights this potential intent, though it notes the limited prospects for major policy shifts.

Analysis

The differing coverage highlights the ethical and political complexities of the arrangement. The Guardian emphasizes the moral concerns raised by activists and the history of US sanctions against Myanmar, while the SCMP provides a more pragmatic view of a regime seeking to escape isolation through lobbying. Stone's previous conviction and clemency, reported only by The Guardian, add a layer of political controversy to the story. The involvement of a close Trump ally in lobbying for a sanctioned regime raises questions about the administration's stance toward Myanmar, though neither outlet has reported on any official US response.

As of now, the story remains a point of contention, with Stone and DCI Group yet to respond to the allegations. The long-term effectiveness of this lobbying effort, and its implications for Myanmar's international standing, remain to be seen.