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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

February 09, 2023

Vietnam’s Anti-Corruption Drive Can Never Go Far Enough

By David Hutt

In centralizing power to fight graft, Nguyen Phu Trong has created a system in which corruption has an even greater chance of flourishing once he’s gone.

February 07, 2023

What’s a Decent Outcome For Cambodia’s Opposition At the Upcoming Election?

By David Hutt

For a party living under the constant fear of crackdown or dissolution, it might be wise to downplay its chances at the July poll.

January 31, 2023

The Myth of Doi Moi in Vietnam

By David Hutt

The country's people have flourished not because of the Communist Party of Vietnam, but in spite of it.

January 31, 2023

There Is No Such Thing as ASEAN Neutrality

By David Hutt

Despite its claims to the contrary, the Southeast Asian bloc is intervening in Myanmar's crisis – just not effectively.

January 25, 2023

How Does The Myanmar Crisis End?

By David Hutt

The military junta's possible handover of power to a quasi-civilian "transition council" could create complications for the country's resistance forces.

January 25, 2023

A Touch of Populism and Austerity from Laos’ New PM

By David Hutt

A month after his appointment, Sonexay Siphandone has given some indication of how he plans to tackle the country's severe economic challenges.

December 28, 2022

Is Laos’ Prime Minister On His Way Out?

By David Hutt

Phankham Viphavanh, who took office in early 2021, may be on the way out -- hounded by scandal and a bad year for Laos’ economy.

December 08, 2022

Taxpayers of Southeast Asia, Arise!

By David Hutt

The region needs a new coterie of taxpayer alliances and NGOs that investigate how taxes are spent.

December 02, 2022

What if the Communist Social Bargain Breaks Down in Laos?

By David Hutt

The economy is stagnant and discontent is on the rise. But don't bet on a mass uprising against the ruling communist party.

November 02, 2022

Are Laos’ New Railways a Solution to its Lack of Trade with the West?

By David Hutt

Transport costs are not the only problem facing the country, but reducing them could help spur progress in other areas.

October 31, 2022

The Tyranny of Compelled Speech in Cambodia

By David Hutt

Censorship and self-censorship are less repressive than being forced to express and affirm a regime's lies.

October 26, 2022

The Vietnamese Communist Party’s Moral Vanguardism

By David Hutt

The Party's “morality campaign" has played a more important role in its thinking than the parallel and higher-profile anti-graft drive.