
Michael Martin has had an illustrious career of more than 30 years focusing on political and economic developments in Asia, especially in Burma (Myanmar), Hong Kong, and Vietnam. After receiving his doctorate in economics in 1986 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he taught economics at Colby College, Doshisha University, Hong Kong Baptist University, and Tufts University. From 1994 to 1998, he was an assistant chief economist for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, providing information and analysis on Africa, the Americas, Japan, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia to the Hong Kong business community. From November 2006 to February 2021, he was a specialist in Asian affairs at the Congressional Research Service (CRS), keeping the U.S. Congress informed about the situation in Burma, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. During his career, Dr. Martin has been interviewed live on Asia Business News, Bloomberg, and CNBC. His academic articles have been published in China Quarterly and the Journal of Peasant Studies, among other refereed journals. While at CRS, he wrote numerous reports for Congress on Burma, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and other issues. Dr. Martin has also testified before congressional committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate concerning the situations in Burma, Hong Kong, and the People’s Republic of China.
Areas of Expertise
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Spotlight - Myanmar’s Resistance Forces Take on Governance: April 4, 2023
Blog Post by Michael Martin — April 4, 2023
The BURMA Act and U.S. Policy Toward Myanmar with Michael Martin
Podcast Episode by Gregory B. Poling , Michael Martin , and Karen Lee — February 23, 2023

What the BURMA Act Does and Doesn’t Mean for U.S. Policy in Myanmar
Commentary by Michael Martin — February 6, 2023
News from the Front: Observations from Myanmar’s Revolutionary Forces
Commentary by Michael Martin — December 5, 2022
Spotlight - The 117th Congress and Southeast Asia: October 13, 2022
Blog Post by Michael Martin — October 13, 2022
Spotlight - Southeast Asia and the National Defense Authorization Act: August 18, 2022
Blog Post by Michael Martin — August 18, 2022
Is Myanmar’s Military on Its Last Legs?
Commentary by Michael Martin — June 21, 2022
Spotlight - Vietnam's Missing in Action: April 26, 2022
Blog Post by Michael Martin — April 26, 2022
Spotlight - Myanmar: March 31, 2022
Blog Post by Michael Martin — March 31, 2022
Time for a New U.S. Policy in Myanmar
Commentary by Michael Martin — March 9, 2022