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David Hutt

David Hutt

__The Diplomat

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Thailand's Uyghur deportations: Balancing China and the West

Thailand's Uyghur deportations: Balancing China and the West

The recent deportation of more than 40 Uyghur refugees from Thailand has ignited global outrage, and raised questions about Bangkok's geopolitical...

27.03.2025 8

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Southeast Asia rides into DOGE

26.03.2025 10

Nikkei Asian Review

David Hutt

Is Cambodia serious about ending organized cyberscams?

Cambodia's central bank has reportedly revoked the banking license of a conglomerate accused of illicit online activities. But doubts abound about...

18.03.2025 20

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Southeast Asia must learn to defend itself

13.03.2025 30

The Japan Times

David Hutt

Does EU-Vietnam free trade break provisions on human rights?

The rationale of the EU affixing human rights conditions to free trade agreements has again been called into question after rights groups filed a...

22.02.2025 7

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Vietnam approves bold reforms to streamline ministries

Vietnam's Parliament has green-lighted bureaucratic reforms, slashing ministries, agencies and broadcasters to reduce red tape and boost growth. The...

20.02.2025 9

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

German carmakers hit speed bump as Southeast Asia sales dip

German premium car brands like Mercedes and BMW are seeing their sales decline in Southeast Asia amid growing competition from Chinese carmakers.

19.02.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

German carmakers face flagging sales in Southeast Asia

German premium car brands like Mercedes and BMW are seeing their sales decline in Southeast Asia amid growing competition from Chinese carmakers.

19.02.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Atheists say Indonesia denies right to live religion-free

In Indonesia, it is legally required to specify a religion on official documents. Nonbelievers say they are being discriminated against.

08.02.2025 30

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Atheists say Indonesia denies right to live religion-free

In Indonesia, it is legally required to specify a religion on official documents. Nonbelievers say they are being discriminated against.

08.02.2025 3

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Is Indonesia cracking down on atheism?

In Indonesia, it is legally required to specify a religion on official documents. Non-believers say they are being discriminated.

07.02.2025 9

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Vietnam: Alarm bells ring as birthrate hits record low

Both the West and China are pouring money into Vietnam, but its plummeting fertility rate might spell trouble for its economic boom.

22.01.2025 20

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Cambodia in 2025: Hun family faces external pressure and internal unrest

24.12.2024 4

Nikkei Asian Review

David Hutt

Vietnam plans bold reforms to streamline ministries

Vietnam is planning ambitious bureaucratic reforms, slashing ministries, agencies and broadcasters in a bid to reduce red tape and boost growth....

18.12.2024 10

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Cambodia knows it is cornered over its cyberscam industry

13.12.2024 10

Nikkei Asian Review

David Hutt

Why militarist leaders dominate Southeast Asian politics

Nearly half of Southeast Asian countries are now governed by former military generals or military regimes, a concerning trend for democracy and...

24.11.2024 10

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Could Marco Rubio champion human rights in Southeast Asia?

Donald Trump has nominated Marco Rubio, a noted hawk on China, for US secretary of state. The Florida senator is also known for his advocacy of...

19.11.2024 3

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Could Marco Rubio champion human rights in Southeast Asia?

Donald Trump has nominated Marco Rubio, a noted hawk on China, for US secretary of state. The Florida senator is also known for his advocacy of...

19.11.2024 10

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

In Not Prosecuting Duterte, Marcos Shows Political and Moral Cowardice

The Philippine president is relying on international law in the South China Sea. He should also pursue accountability for victims of his...

15.11.2024 6

__The Diplomat

David Hutt

Malaysia struggles to halt European plastic waste imports

Despite pledges to curb plastic waste imports, Malaysia remains one of Europe's top dumping grounds. Will the EU's upcoming export ban make a...

03.11.2024 100

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

What’s Happened to Cambodia’s Thinking Class?

A recent article in the government-aligned Khmer Times reflects the etiolated state of public discourse in the country.

24.10.2024 5

__The Diplomat

David Hutt

Myanmar's revolution must be secular

21.10.2024 3

Nikkei Asian Review

David Hutt

Is divorce coming to the Philippines?

Only two countries in the world still ban divorce: the Vatican and the Philippines. But the tides seem to be shifting in the Southeast Asian nation.

12.10.2024 4

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

ASEAN summit: EU seeks to build bridges in Southeast Asia

The EU is investing billions into Southeast Asia, and European officials are pushing for deeper ties at the annual ASEAN summit in Laos. US...

11.10.2024 3

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

What’s Wrong With Calling Hun Sen ‘Despicable’?

In clamping down so hard on the speech of its citizens, the Cambodian government reveals the depth of its insecurities.

03.10.2024 3

__The Diplomat

David Hutt

China on the agenda as Vietnam's leader meets Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden and ruling Communist Party Chief To Lam will meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly as Vietnam positions itself...

26.09.2024 4

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Bangladesh: Can West help Yunus deal with Rohingya crisis?

Nearly a million Rohingya refugees have sought safety in Bangladesh after they faced purges, discrimination and violence in Myanmar. Bangladesh's...

17.09.2024 5

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Vatican's 'pivot to Asia' reflected in Pope Francis' tour

By visiting Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and Singapore, the head of the Catholic Church showed that the Vatican — like many other...

13.09.2024 3

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

EU's solar plans in SE Asia caught in US-China trade war

US tariffs on Southeast Asian solar exports could further weaken solar panel producers in the European Union, but also help the EU's green agenda.

05.09.2024 4

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Germany, Philippines eye closer defense ties in Indo-Pacific

Berlin and Manila want to soon strike a defense pact that will enable joint military training and potential sales of German weapons.

26.08.2024 3

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

After a year as Cambodia's PM, Hun Manet reigns but dad still rules

22.08.2024 3

Nikkei Asian Review

David Hutt

Cambodia rulers pin reputation on contentious canal project

Once constructed, most of Cambodia's imports and exports will no longer need to be transported via ports in neighboring Vietnam. However, the Funan...

07.08.2024 7

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

With Nguyen Phu Trong gone, are EU-Vietnam ties at risk?

The Vietnamese Communist Party lost its long-ruling chief earlier this month, and his death could spell trouble for the EU's cordial relationship...

31.07.2024 3

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

EU faces green dilemma in Indonesian nickel

Nickel is essential for the global transition to green energy, but mining often comes with environmental challenges, las was recently demonstrated...

17.07.2024 3

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

Are EU-Vietnam human rights talks a lost cause?

Human rights groups are calling on Brussels to end its "box-ticking" talks with Vietnam and take more drastic actions against the country's...

12.07.2024 1

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt

EU human rights talks with Vietnam draw censure

Human rights groups are calling on Brussels to end its "box-ticking" talks with Vietnam and to take more drastic actions.

11.07.2024 3

Deutsche Welle

David Hutt