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David Hutt

David Hutt

David Hutt is a journalist and commentator. He is a research fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), and a columnist at The Diplomat and Radio Free Asia.

David Hutt is a journalist and commentator. He is a research fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), a columnist at The Diplomat and Radio Free Asia, a contributor to the Economist Intelligence Unit and DW, and an associate editor at Contemporary Southeast Asia. He also writes the Watching Europe In Southeast Asia newsletter.

David Hutt has been Southeast Asia columnist at The Diplomat since 2016, writing weekly about Southeast Asian politics. He was formerly based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He was president of the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia between 2018 and 2019. He can be followed on Twitter @davidhuttjourno.

Posts by David Hutt
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May 17, 2024

Why Is Vietnam Becoming A Police State?

By David Hutt
After years of focusing narrowly on economic growth, the Communist Party is seeking a different – and sharper-edged – form of legitimacy.
May 08, 2024

Is the Lao State Collapsing?

By David Hutt
The current economic crisis has hollowed out the capacity of an already weak state apparatus.

May 02, 2024

Even If Thailand’s MFP Is Dissolved, the Monarchy Reform Movement Will Live On

By David Hutt
If disbanded over its pledge to reform the country's "sacred" institution, the Move Forward Party will simply re-emerge in new form.

April 26, 2024

Indonesian Imperialism Is Alive – And Brutal – in West Papua

By David Hutt
In the restive eastern province, Cold War realpolitik continues to reverberate.

April 17, 2024

Some Southeast Asians Are Turning Against America Over Gaza. It Likely Won’t Last.

By David Hutt
This is not the first time that regional opinion toward the U.S. has soured over events in the Middle East.
April 12, 2024

The Land-Locked Thinking of Laotians

By David Hutt
While the Lao government likes to talk about becoming "land-linked," the latest ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institution survey reflects an inward-looking mentality.

April 08, 2024

Southeast Asians Don’t Really Care About the Myanmar Crisis

By David Hutt
A recent survey of regional elite opinion shows a surprising lack of regional concern about the country's ongoing conflict.
March 20, 2024

What Southeast Asia’s Aging Populations Could Mean Politically

By David Hutt
Could aging societies lead to more political polarization and upheaval?

March 13, 2024

Southeast Asia’s Uncertain Global Outlook

By David Hutt
What would be more worrying for the region: a retreating United States, or an economically stagnant China?

March 07, 2024

What on Earth Do Indonesians Think About Democracy?

By David Hutt
Making sense of a 2023 Pew survey that showed majority support for representative democracy, autocracy, and rule by the military.

March 05, 2024

What Do We Mean When We Talk About Southeast Asia’s Demographics ‘Crisis’?

By David Hutt
The nations of the region are all experiencing shrinking workforces and rising life expectancy – in some cases at the same time.
February 27, 2024

Cambodia’s Opposition Needs to Take a Sabbatical

By David Hutt
Opposition parties should take a page out of the ruling CPP's book and begin a process of generational renewal.

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