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

October 02, 2018

What’s Next for the Presidency in Vietnam?

By Luke Hunt

The death of a president has raised wider questions about the role in addition to a focus on his legacy.

September 24, 2018

Duterte’s Media War in the Philippines

By Luke Hunt

The lack of justice in the Maguindanao Massacre underscores Duterte's contempt for journalists.

September 21, 2018

What Do Prisoner Releases Mean in Hun Sen’s Cambodia?

By Luke Hunt

A closer look at the significance of the steady stream of prisoners that have been released.

September 13, 2018

How Badly is Indonesia’s Economy Really Doing?

By Luke Hunt

While comparisons to the Asian Financial Crisis may be premature or overly alarming, there are reasons for worry.

August 31, 2018

What the Ricketson Case Says About Justice in Cambodia

By Luke Hunt

A closer look at the outcome of a much-anticipated verdict.

August 18, 2018

Prominent North Vietnamese Communist Defector Dies

By Luke Hunt

A closer look at the wider significance of Colonel Bui Tin’s death.

August 17, 2018

A New Era for Hun Sen’s Cambodia?

By Luke Hunt

The election outcome all but completes the country’s transition to a one-party state.

August 17, 2018

What’s Next for RCEP?

By Luke Hunt

Progress on the agreement continues to be slow despite the growing urgency to complete it.

July 31, 2018

Laos Dam Collapse Brings Flood of Questions

By Luke Hunt

Incident raises serious questions about the government’s approach.

July 24, 2018

What’s at Stake in Cambodia’s One-Sided Election?

By Luke Hunt

A look at what lies ahead in upcoming polls and thereafter.

July 12, 2018

China Spy Network Targets Cambodia Ahead of Elections: Report

By Luke Hunt

A new report offers further evidence of Beijing’s shenanigans.

July 10, 2018

Thailand Cave Rescue Finally Ends Soccer Team Ordeal

By Luke Hunt

Rescuers pull soccer team to safety after more than two weeks trapped underground.