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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 05, 2017

Genocide or Not, Time to Act on Myanmar's Rohingya Crisis

By Luke Hunt

Arguments over terminology aside, ongoing atrocities need to stop.

December 30, 2016

Malaysia's 1MDB Scandal Claims Another Scalp

By Luke Hunt

Private banker jailed for 30 months.

December 22, 2016

In ASEAN, Holidays Are Far From Happy

By Luke Hunt

Across Southeast Asia, the holidays are a reminder of the many problems the region still faces.

December 19, 2016

Australia Tightens Security as US Begins Vetting Refugee Claims

By Luke Hunt

Immigration chief heads to the United States to ensure a resettlement deal holds under Donald Trump.

December 16, 2016

Time for an ASEAN Criminal Court?

By Luke Hunt

A look at a proposal for the regional grouping.

December 01, 2016

Australian Nurse Charged in Alleged Cambodian Baby Scam

By Luke Hunt

Couples spend $50,000 on Cambodian gestational surrogates.

November 24, 2016

Cambodia: UN Tribunal Rejects Appeal of Ex-Khmer Rouge Leaders

By Luke Hunt

Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan will spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

November 17, 2016

Malaysia Silences 1MDB Whistleblower in Blow to Rights

By Luke Hunt

The sentencing of an opposition politician is just the latest attempt to cover up a deepening 1MDB scandal.

November 14, 2016

Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste Prepare for Strategic Elections

By Luke Hunt

Elections in the two countries could determine their future interactions with ASEAN neighbors.

November 11, 2016

New Laos Dam Heightens Mekong Fears

By Luke Hunt

A third mainstream dam raises the threat posed to the river's future.

October 28, 2016

Is US Policy in Trouble in Southeast Asia?

By Luke Hunt

A closer look at a recent report evaluating Washington's regional position.