Experts rated the Myanmar coup as a blow to democracy and called on the US and other countries to punish the military leaders to arrest Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar's army early on the morning of 1/2 arrested state adviser Aung San Suu Kyi and other high-ranking leaders.

Military administrations have been in power in Myanmar for much of history, since the country gained independence in 1948. General Ne Win overthrew the civilian government in 1962, saying they could not afford to do so.

A new generation of military leaders took power a few weeks later, citing a need to restore law and order in the country.

The head of the military government, General Than Shwe resigned in 2011, giving power to a government of retired generals after the adoption of the country's current constitution.

The 2008 constitution stipulates that the military continues to play a major political role, giving them control over key interior, border and defense ministries.

Suu Kyi and her administration have tried to amend the constitution since winning the 2015 election, but with little success.

Political analyst Soe Myint Aung said the loophole was one of the loopholes that the military did not foresee.

In the November 2020 election, the military-backed Myanmar Federal Solidarity and Development (USDP) party won only 33 of the 476 seats in parliament.

The coup was strongly condemned by the US and the United Nations.

Experts also expressed concern about this move.

Daniel Russel, the leading US diplomat to East Asia under Barack Obama - who has built close ties with Suu Kyi, says the military's takeover of Myanmar once again is a blow to democracy.

"This is a huge setback, not only for Myanmar's democracy, but for American interests as well. It is a reminder that America's lack of reliable and stable involvement in the region has already been.

"From the very beginning, the military government that controlled Myanmar for decades never really gave up power. They never really accepted civilian government, so today's events follow a

"The United States and other countries with sanctions should send a strong message today, by immediately canceling the easing of sanctions and imposing direct and severe economic sanctions.

Murray Hiebert, an expert on Southeast Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, says the situation is a challenge for the new US administration.

Before the arrest of Myanmar's leaders, "most recently on January 29, the United States joined with other countries urging the Myanmar military not to launch the threat of coup d'état," Hiebert said, reminding.

"The Biden administration says they will support democracy and human rights. But Myanmar's top military officers have been punished, so it is not clear what further measures the US can take," he said.