# Why the US is holding secret talks with Myanmar’s military ruler

https://mins.news/en/item/105374

- Al Jazeera, 2026-10-18 18:22 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/10/18/why-the-us-is-holding-secret-talks-with-myanmars-military-ruler?traffic_source=rss

> Al Jazeera’s Mikail Malik explains why the Trump administration is holding secret talks with Myanmar’s military ruler, who is accused of genocide. The outreach is linked to the US search for rare earths, a detained businessman and a lucrative lobbying deal involving a Trump ally.

## Related coverage

- [Is Donald Trump ready to do business with Myanmar?](https://mins.news/en/item/108685) — BBC News, 2026-10-20
- [EXCLUSIVE: US holds further secret talks with Myanmar’s military-backed rulers in Tokyo, sources say](https://mins.news/en/item/102559) — Reuters, 2026-10-16
