The Diplomat  |  Author

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
January 03, 2025

Indonesia’s Constitutional Court Voids Threshold for Presidential Nominations

By Sebastian Strangio
The ruling is likely to allow a wider range of candidates to run for the presidency at the next election in 2029.

January 03, 2025

Myanmar Military Junta Enacts Repressive New Cybersecurity Bill

By Sebastian Strangio
Among the law's provisions is a ban on the provision of virtual private networks (VPNs), which are frequently used to circumvent internet controls.
January 02, 2025

Indonesia Scales Back Planned VAT Hike, Will Apply Only to Luxury Goods

By Sebastian Strangio
The last-minute shift by President Prabowo Subianto came in response to strong criticisms from business associations and labor unions.

January 02, 2025

Malaysian Police Arrest Satirical Artist Over Caricatures of Sabah Governor

By Sebastian Strangio
Fahmi Reza is being investigated under the Sedition Act for making fun of newly appointed state governor Musa Aman.

December 31, 2024

No Evidence Thai Banks Facilitated Myanmar Arms Purchases, Government Says

By Sebastian Strangio
The U.N. human rights office claims that the country has become a leading source of banking services to Myanmar’s military junta.

December 31, 2024

Ethnic Rebel Group Announces Seizure of Key Town in Western Myanmar

By Sebastian Strangio
The Arakan Army says that it is ready to engage in "political dialogue" and vowed to safeguard foreign investments in Rakhine State.
December 30, 2024

Philippines Defends Plan to Acquire Typhon Missile System From US

By Sebastian Strangio
China has condemned Manila's planned acquisition, which it says poses a "substantial threat to regional peace and security."

December 30, 2024

Cambodia Imprisons Leading Opposition Figure For ‘Incitement’

By Sebastian Strangio
Sun Chanthy, the ex-president of the new Nation Power Party, has been convicted for criticizing government policy on social media.

December 20, 2024

Thai Activist Sentenced to Additional Prison Time For Defaming Monarchy

By Sebastian Strangio
Arnon Nampa has now been sentenced to more than 18 years imprisonment in six lese-majeste cases.

December 20, 2024

Thailand Hosts ‘Informal Consultation’ on Myanmar Conflict

By Sebastian Strangio
The meeting in Bangkok marks the beginning of a more conciliatory regional approach toward Myanmar's military administration.

December 19, 2024

US Repatriates 2 Malaysian Nationals From Guantanamo Bay

By Sebastian Strangio
Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep have pleaded guilty to involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings.
December 18, 2024

Myanmar Rebel Group Claims Recapture of Former Headquarters on Thai Border

By Sebastian Strangio
The Karen National Union claims it has recaptured the Karen "capital" of Manerplaw, which it lost to the Myanmar military in 1995.

Page 1 of 163