After several years of reform that put Myanmar on a track toward becoming an important U.S. partner in the region, the conflict and exodus of refugees from Rakhine State since August 2017 – a dramatic escalation after decades of intermittent violence arising from political grievances and intercommunal tensions -- poses a significant threat to the country’s trajectory and prospects. Myanmar still has the potential to become an important partner in the years ahead as we implement the Indo-Pacific strategy, but the authorities must come to terms with what transpired, hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations, and begin to change the attitudes and policies that gave rise to this tragedy, and that contribute to intercommunal conflict across Myanmar. Without tangible improvements, Myanmar risks further alienating and potentially radicalizing these populations to uncertain ends, and cannot succeed in its democratic aspirations. Myanmar also risks having to rely internationally on a few countries willing to overlook what happened because of their broader strategic interests.