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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

October 20, 2016

What a China Hard Landing Means for Vietnam

By Luke Hunt

The consequences could be dire for the Southeast Asian state.

October 15, 2016

Malaysia's Growing Crackdown on Dissent

By Luke Hunt

A new report sheds light on a disturbing trend.

October 14, 2016

Judges and Rice: Cambodia's Expanding Reliance on China

By Luke Hunt

Is there a limit to Beijing's largesse for its southern ally?

October 07, 2016

Vietnam Ramps Up Trade Talks Amid Economic Uncertainty

By Luke Hunt

Things don't seem to be looking that good for Hanoi.

October 02, 2016

Time for Malaysia's Najib to Step Aside

By Luke Hunt

The premier needs to give his country a much-needed respite.

September 26, 2016

The Trouble With Temple Restoration in Myanmar

By Luke Hunt

The country is only beginning to reexamine how it preserves its ancient temples.

September 20, 2016

Philippine Militancy in the Spotlight with Freed Norwegian Hostage

By Luke Hunt

Abu Sayyaf finally releases another captive.

September 16, 2016

Cambodia’s Ruling Elite One Step Closer to International Court

By Luke Hunt

Court rules that company bosses and complicit politicians can be tried for land grabbing and environmental destruction.

September 15, 2016

The Changing Face of ASEAN

By Luke Hunt

Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam offer an unlikely breath of fresh air.

September 09, 2016

Will Cambodia’s Rulers Be Dragged to Court?

By Luke Hunt

The murder of a government critic may be added to the regime’s growing list of transgressions.

September 01, 2016

Duterte’s War on Terror Makes More Sense Than His Drug Error

By Luke Hunt

While the Philippine leader’s drug crackdown is concerning, his pledge to root out the Abu Sayyaf makes more sense.

August 25, 2016

Does Australia's War Memory Need a Rethink?

By Luke Hunt

A recent incident between Australia and Vietnam points to a broader problem.