In a recent government meeting, discussions centered on escalating violence in Myanmar and the UK's stance on arms exports amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Concerns were raised regarding the alarming rise in violence in Myanmar, particularly in August, which was noted as having the highest number of attacks on record. The military's aerial bombardment of civilian infrastructure and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in minority ethnic states were highlighted as critical issues. The meeting aimed to address these concerns, with a focus on advancing a potential resolution regarding Myanmar, following a previous resolution passed in 2022. While there appears to be a broad consensus among council members to move forward, some countries have expressed reservations. The UK hopes that a recent statement from ASEAN will facilitate progress on this matter.

The meeting also touched on the UK's arms export policy, particularly concerning Israel. The UK has a monitored arms export program but recently cut 30 items from this program, a move that elicited a strong response from Israel. While there is currently no arms embargo in place, the UK is reviewing further actions.

Additionally, the discussion included Iran's role in arms transfers to various groups, including its support for Hamas and Hezbollah. The UK reiterated its commitment to existing sanctions against Iran under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and expressed concern over Iran's arms transfers to Russia, which are reportedly being used in the conflict in Ukraine.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the complexities surrounding a potential two-state solution in the Middle East, particularly regarding the role of Hamas in any future governance structure post-conflict in Gaza. The UK government remains cautious about the implications of Hamas's involvement in such discussions.