Myanmar regime shows flexibility

Decades of perseverance are finally paying off as the ruling junta in Myanmar is slowly giving in to a series of reforms. The first among the concessions was obviously the freeing of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and the freeing of two dozen political prisoners on Wednesday illustrated that the unflinching attitude of those in power was perhaps being replaced by a refreshing flexibility.

Perhaps it is too early to start commending the Myanmar government for its new-found attitude in offering amnesty to political prisoners but this is definitely an encouraging start as one of the world's most reclusive nation slowly begins to open its doors. Myanmar has been crippled by international sanctions and perhaps the metamorphosis that the government is showing, in terms of policy change, is merely cosmetic. The economy cannot be shored up without international assistance. Therefore, if falling over their own sword is the concession that the junta must make, then so be it.