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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

July 27, 2023

Cambodian Naval Base to Test Hun Manet’s Relations With Washington

By Luke Hunt

Satellite images confirm China-backed Ream upgrade is almost complete.

July 24, 2023

As Expected, Hun Sen Trumps in One-Sided Cambodian Election

By Luke Hunt

Leader’s eldest son to become prime minister within “three to four weeks.”

July 12, 2023

Funcinpec Touted as a Chance for Seats in Cambodian Election

By Luke Hunt

Can the royalists end Cambodia’s status as a one-party-state?

June 30, 2023

From Cambodia’s Killing Fields to the US Secret Service

By Luke Hunt

A conversation with author Leth Oun.

June 29, 2023

Cambodian PM Takes Aim at Unidentified Drones

By Luke Hunt

Military deployed, bounties offered, Montagnards told they are not welcome.

June 19, 2023

Could an Australian Solar Farm Challenge Lao Energy Ambitions?

By Luke Hunt

With ambitious plans to export Australian solar power to Singapore, Sun Cable could reshape ASEAN’s future power demands.

June 09, 2023

Indonesia to Host ASEAN’s First Military Drill in South China Sea

By Luke Hunt

Cambodia, however, has denied reports of a joint exercise in the South China Sea.

May 29, 2023

Pumping Up Myanmar’s Junta With Guns, Trade, and Tourism

By Luke Hunt

Fresh reports further undermine ASEAN's credibility in Myanmar.

May 24, 2023

Cambodia’s Hun Sen Tells Countries to Stay Silent on Election Process

By Luke Hunt

More revolutionary plots are alleged ahead of the July 23 poll.

May 09, 2023

Indonesia Rescues 20 From Traffickers in Myanmar

By Luke Hunt

Jakarta bans its migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

May 01, 2023

An Australian Who Worked to Restore Cambodian Culture Dies at 76

By Luke Hunt

The passing of Darryl Collins is seen as "a great loss” for Cambodia.

April 24, 2023

Smoke and Heat: Breaking Records in Southeast Asia

By Luke Hunt

The long-range forecasts paint a bleak, hot outlook, with suffocating heat and smoky air across Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.