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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
July 26, 2024

Indonesian FM Criticizes Myanmar Junta Over ASEAN Peace Plan

By Sebastian Strangio
The Southeast Asian bloc continues to affirm its support for the Five-Point Consensus, but member states seem unsure how to encourage its implementation.

July 26, 2024

Myanmar Rebel Group Claims Capture of Major Military HQ in Shan State

By Sebastian Strangio
The fall of the military's Northeastern Regional Command headquarters would mark a turning-point in the country's civil war.
July 25, 2024

Myanmar Resistance Group Claims Capture of Ruby-Mining Town

By Sebastian Strangio
The Three Brotherhood Alliance resistance group continues to press forward with the second phase of its Operation 1027 offensive.

July 25, 2024

Thailand to Begin Enrollment for Massive Stimulus Program Next Month

By Sebastian Strangio
The government will begin distributing 10,000 baht payments in the fourth quarter, but questions remain about the efficacy of the "digital wallet" program.

July 24, 2024

Thailand Will Draft Bill to Regulate Cannabis, Minister Says

By Sebastian Strangio
The plan to ban the drug, two years after its historic decriminalization, has opened up a political rift in PM Srettha Thavisin's coalition government.

July 24, 2024

Myanmar Junta Chief Min Aung Hlaing Named Acting President

By Sebastian Strangio
The announcement followed reports that the current acting president, Myint Swe, has been placed on medical leave.
July 23, 2024

Philippine President Announces Ban on Online Gambling Operations

By Sebastian Strangio
The announcement comes amid scrutiny of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, or POGOs, and their alleged links to organized crime.

July 23, 2024

Blinken Set to Visit 4 Southeast Asian Nations on Regional Tour

By Sebastian Strangio
The U.S. secretary of state will begin the six-nation tour with a visit to Vietnam to attend the funeral of the late Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong.

July 22, 2024

China, Philippines Reach ‘Provisional’ Deal Over Disputed Shoal

By Sebastian Strangio
The agreement, which is designed to reduce tensions at Second Thomas Shoal, was the subject of immediate disagreement between Beijing and Manila.

July 22, 2024

Myanmar Armed Groups Extend Ceasefire at China’s Urging

By Sebastian Strangio
The Three Brotherhood Alliance has agreed to hold its fire in northern Shan State until the end of the month.

July 11, 2024

Indonesia’s Prabowo Plans to Increase Debt to Fund Spending Plans

By Sebastian Strangio
The president-elect plans to increase the country's debt-to-GDP ratio to 50 percent, up from 39 percent currently, in order to achieve his ambitious growth targets.
July 10, 2024

China, Philippines Trade Statements Over Medical Evacuation From Disputed Shoal

By Sebastian Strangio
Despite pledging to de-escalate tensions at Second Thomas Shoal, Beijing and Manila continue to exchange rhetorical fire.

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