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Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio is Southeast Asia editor at The Diplomat. 

In 2008, he began his career as a reporter at The Phnom Penh Post in Cambodia, and has since traveled and reported extensively across the 10 nations of ASEAN. Sebastian’s writing has appeared in leading publications including Foreign Affairs, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and The New York Times, The Diplomat, and Nikkei Asian Review, among many others. He is the author of “Hun Sen’s Cambodia” (Yale, 2014), a path-breaking examination of Cambodia since the fall of the Khmer Rouge, and “In the Dragon’s Shadow: Southeast Asia in the Chinese Century (Yale, 2020). 

Alongside his journalistic work, Sebastian has also consulted for a wide variety of economic risk firms and non-government organizations, and is quoted frequently in the international media on political developments in Southeast Asia. Sebastian holds a B.A. and Master’s degree in international politics from The University of Melbourne. He currently lives in Adelaide.

You can get in touch with Sebastian via Twitter, Facebook, or email.

Posts by Sebastian Strangio
April 03, 2025

US Clears Possible $5B Sale of Jet Fighters to Philippines

By Sebastian Strangio
The proposed acquisition of F-16 fighters would bolster Manila's ability to defend its own assets in disputed parts of the South China Sea.

April 03, 2025

Myanmar Junta Announces Ceasefire to Aid Earthquake Recovery Efforts

By Sebastian Strangio
The ceasefire, which will run until April 22, follows similar announcements from major ethnic rebel groups.
April 03, 2025

Southeast Asia Slammed By President Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs

By Sebastian Strangio
Nine of the region's 11 nations have been hit with reciprocal tariffs that could devastate local industries – and create a strategic opening for China.

April 02, 2025

China’s Xi to Visit Three Southeast Asian Nations This Month, Report Claims

By Sebastian Strangio
The Chinese leader will visit Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia at a time of great uncertainty about the course of U.S. policy toward the region.

April 02, 2025

In Earthquake’s Aftermath, Major Myanmar Rebel Alliance Announces ‘Humanitarian Pause’

By Sebastian Strangio
Could the devastation of the March 28 quake help catalyze a political solution to the country’s civil war?

April 01, 2025

Thai Government Probes Collapse of Bangkok Skyscraper as Rescue Efforts Continue

By Sebastian Strangio
More than 70 construction workers remain trapped beneath the rubble of the State Audit Office building, which collapsed during the March 28 earthquake.
April 01, 2025

Myanmar Earthquake Toll Rises Over 2,000 as Rescue Operations Continue

By Sebastian Strangio
The devastating March 28 earthquake was the largest to hit central Myanmar since 1839.

March 31, 2025

China Conducts South China Sea Patrol as US Defense Chief Visits Philippines

By Sebastian Strangio
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pledged to bolster Manila's capacity to push back against Beijing's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

March 31, 2025

Death Toll from Myanmar Earthquake Tops 1,700 as Aftershocks Hit

By Sebastian Strangio
The country's civil war has hampered relief efforts, while junta controls have made it hard to gauge the quake's impact in remote regions.

March 28, 2025

Thai Cabinet Approves Second Draft of Contentious Casino Bill

By Sebastian Strangio
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's government hopes that legalized gambling can deliver a jolt to the sluggish Thai economy.

March 28, 2025

Myanmar Military Chief Says Election to Be Held in December

By Sebastian Strangio
Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has promised to transfer power to whoever wins the election, but there are many reasons to be skeptical.
March 27, 2025

Pro-Marcos Candidates Set to Dominate Philippine Senate Election: Poll

By Sebastian Strangio
Candidates endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are on track to win nine of the 12 Senate seats up for grabs at the midterm elections in May.

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