Read The Diplomat, Know The Asia-Pacific

The Diplomat | Author

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

March 02, 2021

North Korea Ordered to Pay $2.3 Billion Over Pueblo Incident

By Luke Hunt

Government-appointed "special master" says crew members suffered long-lasting aftereffects, both psychological and physical.

February 26, 2021

Cambodia’s Sees COVID-19 Spike After Chinese Nationals Break Quarantine

By Luke Hunt

The government has also deported a Chinese media proprietor for spreading “fake news” about COVID-19 vaccines.

February 19, 2021

Cambodia’s Surviving Opposition Politicians Regroup Ahead of Elections

By Luke Hunt

Former Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh is back in the political arena, but his chance of success is small.

February 10, 2021

Myanmar’s Generals Reshape Regional Political Dynamics

By Luke Hunt

Min Aung Hlaing's seizure of power in Myanmar has shaken up the region's diplomatic balance.

February 05, 2021

China Gifts Myanmar’s Military a Rose by Any Other Name

By Luke Hunt

Xinhua’s announcement of a “cabinet reshuffle” exemplifies its dark arts in Myanmar.

February 01, 2021

China’s Latest White Paper and Southeast Asia

By Luke Hunt

A conversation with Bradley Murg about China's development aid and its flagging Belt and Road Initiative.

January 29, 2021

Cambodian Police Bar Journalists From Covering Investigations

By Luke Hunt

Should the rounding up of dissidents and other criminal investigations simply be ignored?

January 22, 2021

China’s ‘Vaccine Diplomacy’ Leaves its Mark on ASEAN

By Luke Hunt

Most Southeast Asian governments are looking to China for help in combating COVID-19.

January 14, 2021

In the Face of Criticism, Laos Pushes Ahead With Four Mekong Dams

By Luke Hunt

But costs and competition could leave the putative "battery of Southeast Asia" running on empty.

December 31, 2020

A Conversation With the President of the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia

By Luke Hunt

Dutch freelance journalist Ate Hoekstra has hopes for a much better 2021 in Indochina.

December 23, 2020

The Flashpoints of Hun Sen’s Cambodia

By Luke Hunt

A conversation with Ou Virak about human rights, China's rise, and the plight of the Mekong River.

December 15, 2020

Cambodia Reduces its Dependency on the US Dollar

By Luke Hunt

Infusions of riel banknotes and the introduction of digital currencies are helping extend the central bank’s control.