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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 10, 2025

Indonesia Ready to Temporarily Shelter Palestinians From Gaza, President Says

By Sebastian Strangio
Prabowo Subianto has embarked on a trip to five Middle Eastern countries, during which the issue of Gaza is expected to feature prominently.

April 10, 2025

Myanmar Junta’s Affirms December Election Despite Earthquake Chaos

By Sebastian Strangio
The biggest obstacle to the election will not be damage from the disaster but rather the fraught political position that prevails in much of the country.
April 09, 2025

US Anti-ship Missile System to Have Extended Deployment in Philippines: Report

By Sebastian Strangio
The NMESIS system will be used during the upcoming Balikatan military exercises and then remain for further bilateral drills in June.

April 09, 2025

Thai Court Denies Bail for American Academic Accused of Defaming Monarchy

By Sebastian Strangio
Paul Chambers of Naresuan University, a leading academic authority on the Thai military, has been deemed a flight risk and imprisoned pending trial.

April 08, 2025

Rainfall, Extreme Heat Complicating Myanmar Earthquake Relief Efforts

By Sebastian Strangio
Aid workers have warned that there is an increased risk of disease outbreaks at the outdoor camps housing quake survivors.

April 08, 2025

Southeast Asian Governments Seek Negotiations Over Trump Tariffs

By Sebastian Strangio
Comments from President Trump and members of his inner circle have raised doubts about whether Washington is open to dialogue on the tariffs.
April 07, 2025

Cambodia, China Open New Facilities at Ream Naval Base

By Sebastian Strangio
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the refurbished base would be open to "all friendly parties," but U.S. suspicions are likely to persist.

April 07, 2025

Prominent American Academic Accused of Defaming Thai Monarchy

By Sebastian Strangio
The Royal Thai Army has accused Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, of violating the lese-majeste law and Computer Crime Act.

April 04, 2025

Southeast Asian Governments React to Punitive Trump Tariffs

By Sebastian Strangio
Vietnam and Thailand say they are open to negotiations with Washington, but will also seek to diversify their export markets away from the U.S.

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.

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