Burma’s military government dominates the country’s politics and its economy.  It has continued to repress political opponents (including Aung San Suu Kyi) and its record in economic development and human rights is considered widely to be poor.  While a number of Western governments have condemned the Burma regime’s policies, its relations with neighbouring countries (most notably China) have facilitated the regime in resisting external influence.  The government has recently unveiled a new Constitution and has declared that elections will be held in 2010.  Attention will focus in the next two years on whether the proposed elections will simply result in the consolidation of the military’s dominance or provide an avenue for some change.  This Background Note outlines major recent developments in relation to Burma and Australia’s policies towards it.