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.
April 10, 2013
Indonesian Impunity, Alive and Well in Kopassus Revenge Killings
Kopassus is on trial for revenge killings, but many are skeptical that justice will prevail.
April 04, 2013
PM Najib Dissolves Malaysian Government, Poll Pending
After threatening to do so for two years, Malaysian PM Najib Razak has finally called for elections.
April 03, 2013
Burma Goes to Press
Burma has taken one step closer to openness with the unfettering of its formerly state-run newspaper industry.
March 28, 2013
Murdered in Cambodia
A tragic murder has underlined the need for reform among Cambodia’s police force.
March 26, 2013
Australian Freed from Abu Sayyaf Captivity
Australian Warren Rodwell has been freed by Philippine militants after 15 months in captivity.
March 26, 2013
Religion, Race and Politics: ASEAN’s Gordian Knot
It’s time for ASEAN to play a constructive role in tackling religious and racial tensions across the region.
March 22, 2013
Vietnam’s Gender Policies Take a Progressive Turn
From its gender ratio to state-funded trasnsgender surgery, Vietnam is tackling hard issues head on.
March 21, 2013
Global Witness Video Exposes Alleged Corruption in Sarawak
NGO Global Witness has captured evidence of possible corruption in Sarawak’s logging industry.
March 14, 2013
Ieng Sary’s Death Adds Pressure for ECCC to Find Justice
Former Khmer Rouge President Ieng Sary has died of natural causes, prompting calls for swifter justice.
March 13, 2013
Manila to Talk with Kirams Amid Sabah’s Deadly Insurgency
Manila’s talks with the Sultan of Sulu bode poorly for Malaysia’s stability and add legitimacy to outdated claims.
March 08, 2013
Activist Mam Sonando’s Glimmer of Hope
Cambodian land activist Mam Sonando awaits a verdict on his appeal to overturn charges of insurrection.
March 07, 2013
What Fracking Means for Southeast Asia
Despite the rhetoric, Southeast Asian governments have been slow to tap their oil reserves. Fracking could make progress even slower.