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
Page 78 of 170
February 24, 2023

Nine Southeast Asian States Vote to Condemn Russian War on Ukraine

By Sebastian Strangio
Of the 11 nations of Southeast Asia, only Laos and Vietnam abstained from the resolution demanding a Russian withdrawal.
February 23, 2023

China, ASEAN to ‘Accelerate Consultations’ on South China Sea Code

By Sebastian Strangio
Despite promises from the Indonesian and Chinese foreign ministers, there is little reason to expect rapid progress on the long-awaited Code of Conduct.

February 23, 2023

Despite Opposition, Philippines Ratifies RCEP Trade Agreement

By Sebastian Strangio
The massive free trade pact has faced opposition from agricultural groups, who fear it could open the country to a wave of imported produce.

February 22, 2023

EU Imposes Sixth Round of Sanctions Against Military-Ruled Myanmar

By Sebastian Strangio
Among those listed are the junta's energy minister, and a number of private companies believed to be funneling arms, funds, and fuel to the military.

February 22, 2023

Thailand’s Prayut Says Parliament Will Be Dissolved in Early March

By Sebastian Strangio
The upcoming election, due to fall in early May, will see the Thai leader stand for election for the first time.
February 21, 2023

Philippines, US in Talks for Joint Patrols in South China Sea: Official

By Sebastian Strangio
A spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard said it was a "certainty” that joint patrols would resume in the near future.

February 21, 2023

Prayut Closes the Gap in Preferred Choice for Thailand’s Next PM

By Sebastian Strangio
A new poll shows the Thai leader as the preferred candidate among respondents in the capital Bangkok.
February 20, 2023

Thai PM Says He Has ‘Date in Mind’ For Dissolution of Parliament

By Sebastian Strangio
Dissolving parliament early would have some minor benefits for Prayut Chan-o-cha's United Thai Nation party, but is unlikely to significantly improve its chances.

February 17, 2023

Sulu Sultanate Heirs Make Fresh Bid to Seize Petronas Assets

By Sebastian Strangio
Court bailiffs in Luxembourg have again issued seizure orders for two local units of the Malaysian state oil firm, as part of a contentious $15 billion arbitration dispute.

February 17, 2023

Watchdog Group Adds Cambodia to Human Rights Watch List

By Sebastian Strangio
The CIVICUS Monitor has cited the “rapid decline in civic freedoms" as the country moves toward national elections in July.

February 16, 2023

Indonesia, China Agree to Final Cost Overruns on High-Speed Rail Project

By Sebastian Strangio
An official told parliament this week that the project's final overrun was $1.2 billion, down from more than $2 billion previously predicted.
February 16, 2023

Myanmar’s National Unity Government Opens Office in Washington

By Sebastian Strangio
The opening of the office marks a deepening of official U.S. engagement with the NUG, but diplomatic recognition remains unlikely.

Page 78 of 170