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.
July 17, 2012
America’s ‘Rebalance’ Finds its Footing
With a watchful eye towards China, the nations of Southeast Asia seem receptive to America’s charms, Luke Hunt reports.
July 12, 2012
How ASEAN Sidelines Journalists
If ASEAN is to be taken seriously as an international body, respect for journalists is key, argues Luke Hunt.
July 11, 2012
A Step Forward in East Timor Polls
Luke Hunt on recent elections that show further signs of hope in East Timor.
July 10, 2012
Backsliding in Burma and Malaysia?
Troubling signs call into question recent reforms in Burma and Malaysia. Luke Hunt explains.
July 06, 2012
Violence Mounts in Papua
Australia is being petitioned to help end the violence, writes Luke Hunt.
July 06, 2012
Could Sub Probe ‘Sink’ Najib?
The Malaysian prime minister’s hard-won political gains are threatened by scandals, writes Luke Hunt.
June 29, 2012
Indonesia, Malaysia in “Dance War”
Their latest kerfuffle is over each nation’s rights to claim the subtle dance known as tortor as its own.
June 27, 2012
Cloudy Forecast for U.S.-Thai Ties?
Thailand is delaying a decision on a NASA airstrip request. What does it say about relations?
June 22, 2012
Umar Patek Gets 20 Years
Umar Patek is found guilty of constructing two bombs that killed more than 200 people in the 2002 Bali blasts.
June 20, 2012
Here Comes the Haze, Again
Inertia within ASEAN and a refusal to enforce rules mean Southeast Asia is again grappling with “the haze.”
June 15, 2012
Thailand’s Tricky Extraditions
The case of a Ukrainian accused of dealing in child porn pushes Thailand’s extradition process into the spotlight.
June 13, 2012
Umar Patek's Dubious Defense
Umar Patek, last of the Bali bombers, offers an unconvincing defense as he tries to avoid a life sentence.