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Luke Hunt

Luke Hunt

Luke Hunt is a Southeast Asia correspondent for The Diplomat. He has spent three decades working in the region and produces the Beyond the Mekong podcast. He can be followed on Patreon and X – formerly Twitter.

He served as bureau chief for Agence France-Presse in Cambodia and in Afghanistan under Taliban occupation – where he was commended by the United Nations for the “best and most insightful” coverage of the Afghan civil war. Hunt also covered the U.S.-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Global War on Terrorism that followed, specializing in Islamic militancy.

Throughout the 2010s, Hunt focused on civil conflict and uprisings from the Middle East to East Asia and as an adjunct professor wrote the course War, Media & International Relations for Pannasastra University in Cambodia. He is the author of the “Punji Trap” and co-author of “Barings Lost” and is the recipient of several awards including the Hong Kong Human Rights Press Awards, Society of Publishers in Asia, and the World Association of Newspapers.

Follow him on X at @lukeanthonyhunt.

Posts by Luke Hunt
April 15, 2024

Life Along the Thai-Myanmar Frontier

By Luke Hunt
The border town of Myawaddy has now fallen and ethnic rebels want negotiations with the Thai government.

April 08, 2024

Rating the Media: A Conversation With David Armstrong

By Luke Hunt
The veteran editor speaks about the media's changing role and declining influence in both Australia and Southeast Asia.
April 02, 2024

End of an Era as the Phnom Penh Post Closes Its Doors

By Luke Hunt
“With the advent of AI… we are in very scary, uncharted waters,” says co-founder Michael Hayes.

March 26, 2024

Editing Cambodian News: A Conversation With Alan Parkhouse

By Luke Hunt
The veteran editor on winning awards, breaking news, and managing journalists.

March 25, 2024

Myanmar and the Voices of a Revolution

By Luke Hunt
The Myanmar junta's conscription drive has backfired, bolstering the rebels' ranks.

March 12, 2024

Cabbages and Condoms: A Conversation With Mechai Viravaidya

By Luke Hunt
How to save thousands of lives by preventing STDs.
March 12, 2024

A Papal Tour to Normalize Relations Between Vietnam and the Vatican

By Luke Hunt
Both sides have promised not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs.

February 29, 2024

Watching Human Rights in Southeast Asia

By Luke Hunt
A conversation with Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch ahead of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.

February 26, 2024

Controversial Billionaire and Malaysian State Leader Is Laid to Rest

By Luke Hunt
The Bruno Manser Fund wants Taib Mahmud's assets and bank accounts frozen.

February 16, 2024

War Crimes and the Meaning of Genocide

By Luke Hunt
A conversation with war crimes lawyer Michael Karnavas.

February 06, 2024

Cambodia Looks to the Future By Luring Back Western Investors

By Luke Hunt
The IMF sees significant downside risks as Cambodia slips on corruption index.
January 25, 2024

India Mulls an End to Myanmar Free Movement Border Zone

By Luke Hunt
The development comes at a time that the junta is struggling with a forced recruitment campaign.

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