Myanmar’s military leaders are spending a significant sum to polish their image in Washington. They have signed a contract worth $3 million per year with DCI Group, a lobbying firm. This amounts to roughly 108 million Thai baht annually. The goal is to improve relations with the United States. This move comes as the military government plans an election later this year, a vote many critics call a sham.
The details of this agreement became public on August 8, 2025, through documents filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The contract was signed on July 31 by Justin Peterson, a managing partner at DCI Group, and Win Zaw Aung, who serves as the permanent secretary for Myanmar’s Ministry of Information. The deal lasts for one year. The military government paid the first half, $1.5 million, when they signed. The remaining $1.5 million is due by December 31, 2025.
DCI Group is known for its strong connections within the Republican Party in the US. This isn’t their first time working for Myanmar’s military rulers. Back in 2002, the firm was hired to push for talks between the US and Myanmar. Later, in 2008, DCI Group ran a public relations campaign to improve the military’s reputation, but that effort was exposed.
Human rights advocates are not pleased. Justice for Myanmar, an activist group, issued a strong statement condemning the deal. They declared that “no propaganda can wash the blood from the hands of the Myanmar military.” The group also accused DCI Group of being an accomplice to a government that commits crimes without punishment.
This expensive lobbying push follows a direct appeal from Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military government. He recently sent a letter to US President Donald Trump. In his letter, the General asked the US to lift or ease economic sanctions. He also requested a reduction in tariffs on goods from Myanmar, aiming for a rate of 10 to 20 percent. The US had recently increased tariffs on Myanmar’s products to 40 percent, a measure that took effect on August 7.
Source: Irrawaddy