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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 27, 2022

Under Kishida, Tokyo Sharpens Its Focus on Cambodia

By Luke Hunt

Prime Minister Hun Sen has requested a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with Japan.

April 11, 2022

Cambodia Rescues 16 Trafficked Malaysians, Others Still Held Captive

By Luke Hunt

The move came after the Malaysian ambassador wrote to the national police chief to ask for assistance.

March 29, 2022

Of ASEAN, China, Russia, and Hypersonic Weapons

By Luke Hunt

A conversation with retired U.S. Naval Captain Carl Schuster.

March 21, 2022

Japan Raises its Voice in Cambodia

By Luke Hunt

Prime Minister Kishida delivers as Hun Sen looks to Tokyo for support.

March 11, 2022

Cambodia Told to Shut Down ‘Slave Compounds’ After Warnings From Asian Embassies

By Luke Hunt

The country's interior minister says he will end the crime wave in Sihanoukville by mid-year.

March 01, 2022

Breaking with ASEAN, Some Regional Leaders Find Their Voice Over Ukraine

By Luke Hunt

Jettisoning Myanmar and admitting Timor-Leste would bolster the bloc.

February 28, 2022

Fighting Back: Trade Unions in Thailand and Myanmar

By Luke Hunt

A conversation with Dave Welsh from the Solidarity Center.

February 25, 2022

Cambodia and Malaysia Try to Resolve Their Differences

By Luke Hunt

“Frank and candid” talks held as Olympic-sized global issues take hold.

February 11, 2022

A Perfect Dry: The Mekong River Enters its Fourth Year of Drought

By Luke Hunt

A conversation with Brian Eyler of the Stimson Center.

February 09, 2022

Hun Sen Apologizes as Myanmar Gamble Backfires Over Sean Turnell

By Luke Hunt

Cambodia’s embarrassment can only further isolate Myanmar’s military junta.

January 21, 2022

Omicron Threatens to Derail Cambodia’s ASEAN Agenda

By Luke Hunt

Zoom conferencing won’t work if the Southeast Asian bloc is to tackle the big issues.

January 18, 2022

Nusantara Gets the Nod as Indonesia Names Its New Capital City

By Luke Hunt

Construction of the new capital is to begin this year with an eye-watering budget of $35 billion.