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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

August 28, 2019

A Conversation on the Mekong and a Changing Southeast Asia

By Luke Hunt

Luke Hunt speaks to Milton Osborne about the threat to the Mekong River amid a changing environment in the subregion.

August 20, 2019

Mekong River Strikes Another Record Low

By Luke Hunt

Recent developments have once again spotlighted the river's growing plight.

August 06, 2019

Nuon Chea: Remembering the Legacy of the Khmer Rouge’s Chief Ideologue

By Luke Hunt

The death of one of the genocidal regime’s remaining leaders has once again highlighted a dark chapter in Cambodia’s past.

July 30, 2019

Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge: Between Justice and Memory

By Luke Hunt

While justice remains elusive, efforts to document what occurred during the period offer more encouragement.

July 21, 2019

Between Continuity and Change: The Rapidly Changing Security Environment in Southeast Asia

By Luke Hunt

Luke Hunt speaks to Greg Barton about the subregion’s changing security environment.

July 19, 2019

New EU-Vietnam Economic Deal: Who Wins and Who Loses?

By Luke Hunt

The deal reveals Hanoi’s diplomatic acumen at negotiating past tensions relative to some of the other key Asian states in a similar environment.

July 10, 2019

From Terror to Tranquility: The Quest for a Bali Peace Park in Indonesia

By Luke Hunt

Nearly two decades after terrorism struck Indonesia, survivors are still looking to realize their hopes for tranquility.

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.