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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

January 13, 2018

Bali’s Garbage Emergency Exposes Indonesia’s Big Rubbish Problem

By Luke Hunt

The escalation of the crisis is an embarrassment for the Southeast Asian state.

January 11, 2018

How Will Malaysia’s Najib Razak Fare in 2018?

By Luke Hunt

Looming polls will test what is left of the legitimacy of the country’s scandalized premier.

January 09, 2018

Can the New Mahathir-Anwar Alliance Defeat Najib in Malaysia’s Election?

By Luke Hunt

The country’s next poll will pit an odd couple against a scandal-ridden premier.

December 28, 2017

Construction of Thailand-China Railway Finally Gets Underway

By Luke Hunt

Obstacles, particularly in Laos, persist.

December 27, 2017

Deep-Sea Gold Miners Target PNG Coast

By Luke Hunt

Locals fear for their environment despite promises of riches.

December 13, 2017

New Guard, Old Problems: What Sombath Somphone's Continued Disappearance Says About Rights in Laos

By Luke Hunt

The development suggests that more of the same is at work in this realm in the Southeast Asian state.

December 07, 2017

Pope Francis Wades Into the Rohingya Crisis

By Luke Hunt

The Pope treads carefully to avoid a diplomatic incident, even while focusing world attention on the Rohingya crisis.

November 28, 2017

Does the New Myanmar-Bangladesh Rohingya Deal Really Matter?

By Luke Hunt

A closer look suggests that there is no shortage of reasons to be skeptical.

November 17, 2017

The View From Asia’s Largest Catholic News Agency

By Luke Hunt

A conversation with UCAN's chief on religion, marginalization, democracy, and the future of publishing in Asia.

November 09, 2017

Where Is Vietnam’s Economy Headed as It Hosts APEC?

By Luke Hunt

Outlook appears generally positive as Hanoi gears up for the meeting, but uncertainties still remain.

November 04, 2017

Why Duterte Needs to Put the Economy First in the Philippines

By Luke Hunt

Lack of progress on this front is contributing to rising discontent against him.

October 31, 2017

Thailand Faces New Era of Uncertainty After Royal Cremation

By Luke Hunt

Millions bid a final farewell as a new era beckons.