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Sribala Subramanian

Sribala Subramanian

Sribala Subramanian is a New York-based columnist for The Diplomat.

Sribala Subramanian is a New York-based columnist for The Diplomat. She covers Southeast Asia and contributes to ASEAN Beat. Sribala has written about the drone supply chain in Malaysia, GPS jamming in Myanmar, and Donald Trump’s visit to a Vietnamese restaurant. She also writes on social and cultural themes such as the rise of TikTok in Thailand, the hit TV show “Cigarette Girl,” and the action thriller “Born to Fly.”

A former reporter for Time, Sribala worked for the magazine’s international edition. Her freelance articles have appeared in The Guardian, Eurasia Review, and The Wire.

She studied magazine journalism at Syracuse University and has a master’s in Mass Communication from California State University, Fresno. She graduated from Bangalore University and got her start in journalism at The Indian Express.

Posts by Sribala Subramanian
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April 02, 2024

Is Singapore Unfriending Israel?

By Sribala Subramanian
The city-state recently denounced a Facebook post from the Israeli embassy as “unacceptable."
March 18, 2024

Guardrails For the South China Sea

By Sribala Subramanian
A top U.S. diplomat hopes the Senate will ratify a maritime treaty.  

February 13, 2024

‘Cigarette Girl’ Is a Big Streaming Hit in Indonesia 

By Sribala Subramanian
Is kretek nostalgia undercutting the country's campaign to curb tobacco use?

January 11, 2024

Malaysia and Indonesia Are Links in Iran’s Drone Supply Chain

By Sribala Subramanian
Companies based in the two countries are part of an "illicit procurement network" that has been targeted by U.S. sanctions. 

December 07, 2023

Indonesians and Malaysians Keep Gaza in Their Prayers 

By Sribala Subramanian
For Southeast Asia's Muslims, support for Palestine is rooted in national identity.
November 10, 2023

Asia’s Island Nations Need Satellite Internet

By Sribala Subramanian
Is Elon Musk's Starlink the solution?

October 04, 2023

US Defense Ties in Southeast Asia: A Wide-Ranging Buffet

By Sribala Subramanian
The Pentagon's palatable message for Southeast Asia.
September 04, 2023

Homecoming in Thailand 

By Sribala Subramanian
The King’s estranged son visits Bangkok shortly before a dramatic realignment in Thai politics. 

August 09, 2023

Harvest of Duds: What Cluster Munitions in Laos Can Teach Ukraine

By Sribala Subramanian
Unexploded cluster munitions in Laos are a reality check for Ukraine.

July 14, 2023

Malaysia and the Dark Fleet

By Sribala Subramanian
A risky trade in sanctioned crude oil is taking place off the coast of Johor.

June 19, 2023

Dog Fight over the South China Sea?

By Sribala Subramanian
A Chinese action movie may offer a preview of conflicts yet to unfold.
June 01, 2023

Did Malaysia’s PM Just Say the Quiet Part Out Loud on Myanmar?

By Sribala Subramanian
A look back at the origins of ASEAN's "embarrassing problem."

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