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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

July 03, 2019

Is Indonesia’s Capital Shift a Good Idea?

By Luke Hunt

The outcome of a long-mulled decision is far from clear, as are its implications.

June 15, 2019

The Trouble with Tourism in Southeast Asia

By Luke Hunt

Travel website founder Stuart McDonald talks about the opportunities and challenges in the tourism industry in the region.

June 06, 2019

Fishing Boat Saga Reveals Asia’s Lingering Refugee Challenge

By Luke Hunt

The case of the Daya Mata speaks to broader issues that the region continues to confront.

May 31, 2019

The Future of Indonesia, ASEAN, and the Digital Age in Southeast Asia

By Luke Hunt

Risk analyst Keith Loveard talks about the past, present and future for ASEAN and in particular its powerhouse, Indonesia, amid wider trends.

May 23, 2019

Freed Journalists Don't Negate Bleak Outlook for Southeast Asia’s Media

By Luke Hunt

While the release of 2 Reuters journalists should be celebrated, life for journalists in Southeast Asia has not improved.

May 03, 2019

What Lies Ahead for Indonesia in a Jokowi Second Term?

By Luke Hunt

A conversation with veteran New Zealand journalist John McBeth about Southeast Asia’s past and Indonesia’s likely future.

April 25, 2019

Economic Focus Ahead for Indonesia in Jokowi’s Coming Second Term

By Luke Hunt

Based on Jokowi’s first term and how the country’s election played out, the economy is likely to continue to be a key priority.

April 19, 2019

The Future of a ‘New Malaysia’

By Luke Hunt

A conversation with renowed Malaysian journalist Leslie Lopez.

April 18, 2019

Why Brunei’s New Religious Hardening Matters

By Luke Hunt

The new Islamic laws are only the latest symptom of broader issues in the tiny, oil-rich sultanate.

April 05, 2019

Thailand’s New King Looms Large Amid Post-Election Uncertainty

By Luke Hunt

While the country’s political future still remains unclear, the monarch will continue to exert influence in how it is shaped.

March 23, 2019

Remembering the Ancient Empire Legacy of Southeast Asia

By Luke Hunt

Luke Hunt speaks with author Philip Bowring about the ancient empires of Southeast Asia and how maritime trade helped shape a region long before the colonial era.

March 20, 2019

Rising Challenges Ahead for Malaysia’s New Government

By Luke Hunt

Though it is still early days, a series of issues are threatening to overwhelm and undermine the new government’s future.