menu_open Columnists
Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio

Foreign Policy

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Following Wiretapping Arrests, Indonesia Deploys Thousands of Troops for Former President’s Trial

On Tuesday, authorities announced the arrest of three senior police officers for illegally wiretapping the phones of President Prabowo Subianto and...

06.11.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Government Announces Fresh Sanctions Against Cambodia-based Scam Network

The U.S. Treasury Department says that actors linked to Prince Group targeted victims across with world via "sophisticated cyber-enabled fraud...

06.11.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Urges Russia to Stop Recruiting Its Citizens Into Ukraine War

In recent months, reports have surfaced of Indonesian nationals fighting on the frontlines in occupied Ukraine.

03.11.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Tesla, Samsung Express Opposition to New US Tariffs on Vietnam

With a U.S. investigation into intellectual property violations set for conclusion at the end of the month, Hanoi could face fresh trade penalties.

03.11.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

The Pitfalls of Thailand’s ‘Bamboo Diplomacy’

"Its flexibility allows Thai policymakers to justify different, and sometimes contradictory, strategies under the same label."

03.11.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Activist Sentenced to Additional Prison Term For Defaming Monarchy During 2020 Protest

Arnon Nampa, 42, now faces more than 34 years in prison for multiple breaches of Thailand's strict lese-majeste law.

02.11.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Remains on FATF Blacklist Due to Money Laundering Concerns

The Paris-based group's announcement came after a report which said that Japanese officials had lobbied for the country's removal from its list of...

01.11.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

ASEAN Special Envoy Concludes Humanitarian Mission to Myanmar

During the two-day visit, Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro oversaw the distribution of humanitarian aid and met with Naypyidaw's...

30.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China’s Military Build-up Has Created ‘Pressure’ in Southeast Asia, Australian Defense Chief Says

His comments came as Beijing accused Manila of obstructing its attendance at this week's ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting in Cebu.

30.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Hegseth Seeks to Reassure Southeast Asia of US Security Commitment to the Region

Speaking at the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting in Cebu, the U.S. secretary of war pledged to "defend our interests and the interests of our allies...

29.10.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Singapore, Indonesia Ready to Address Bilateral Issues Including Haze, Minister Says

For several weeks tension between the two neighbors has been growing over a range of issues including transboundary haze and energy supplies.

29.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Using Fake Paperwork to Conceal Shipments of Iranian Jet Fuel, Reports Claim

Over the past few years, the country’s military has received hundreds of thousands of barrels of aviation fuel from Iran’s large tanker “shadow...

27.10.2026 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Announces New Measures to Improve Stock Market Transparency

The global index provider MSCI has threatened to downgrade the country to "standalone market" status, potentially triggering billions of dollars in...

27.10.2026 40

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Reduces Gas Supply to Singapore, Citing Domestic Energy Needs

Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said last week that Jakarta would prioritize its own needs, and might cut off supplies to nations that did not...

26.10.2026 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Seizes More Than 2 Tons of Narcotics in Major Anti-drug Operations

In recent years Indonesian waters have become an important route for the trafficking of Golden Triangle drugs to Asian and global markets.

26.10.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysian PM Anwar Bans Civil Servants From Using Israel-developed Navigation App

Anwar Ibrahim said that Waze, which was developed in Tel Aviv before being acquired by Google in 2013, could be "exploited by the Israeli regime."

23.10.2026 50

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Prabowo Accuses MSCI of Attempting to ‘Intimidate’ Indonesia After Downgrade Threat

"We possess strength, we have courage, we are willing to make sacrifices, and we refuse to surrender," said the former general.

22.10.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China Coast Guard Says It Monitored Philippine Resupply Mission at Contested Shoal

Last month, Manila accused Beijing of obstructing a similar mission to resupply troops stationed aboard a grounded warship on the shoal.

22.10.2026 100

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Coup Administration Releases Photos of Detained Leader Aung San Suu Kyi

The photos reportedly show the 81-year-old receiving two books and a sealed diplomatic package from Britain's King Charles III.

20.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Senator Files Resolution Seeking Chinese Ambassador’s Expulsion

Jing Quan prompted controversy last week when he told reporters that China could "easily win" a war against the Philippines.

20.10.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian Stock Exchange Plunges After Fresh MSCI Downgrade Threat

Citing the lack of action on promised reforms, the global index provider has proposed demoting the country from "emerging market" to "standalone...

19.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

After War of Words, China Says Relations With Philippines at ‘Critical Juncture’

Growing political polarization has the potential to undermine Manila’s ability to handle its ongoing maritime disputes with Beijing.

19.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian President Replaces Head of Disaster Management Agency

The move comes amid growing scrutiny of Jakarta's response to the forest and peatland fires that have drastically reduced air quality across the...

16.10.2026 60

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Establishes New Committee to Advance Normalization With ASEAN

The creation of the body, which comes ahead of next month's ASEAN Summit in Manila, is intended to “regain the country’s original role and...

16.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

As Indonesian Fires Continue, Singapore Records Highest Air Pollution Reading Since 2015

Jakarta is the focus of increasing criticism for its failure to contain – or prevent – the fires that continue to rage in Borneo and Sumatra.

15.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Set to Sign Free Trade Pact With European Bloc This Week

Hanoi also says that a reciprocal trade deal with the United States is nearing completion and should be signed soon.

15.10.2026 100

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia to Raise Transboundary Haze Crisis With ASEAN Foreign Ministers Ahead of Summit

This year’s particularly severe haze season has once again exposed the void in national and regional efforts to combat the problem.

13.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Lower House Passes Bill Restricting Social Media Access of Minors

If passed into law, the country will become the fourth in Southeast Asia to introduce youth social media restrictions of some kind.

13.10.2026 40

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing to Visit Indonesia and Brunei, Regime Spokesperson Says

Since taking office in April, the former general has visited five ASEAN member states as he seeks normalization with the Southeast Asian bloc.

12.10.2026 80

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Drops Sanctions on Daughter of Prominent Myanmar Businessman Thein Win Zaw

Is Theint Win Htet's removal from the Treasury Department's blacklist a sign of a looming rapprochement between Washington and Naypyidaw?

12.10.2026 150

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Has Opened Direct Talks With Myanmar Government, Report Claims

The outreach, which marks a significant shift in U.S. policy, is aimed at curbing online scamming operations and gaining access to the country's rare...

09.10.2026 80

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Former Philippine President Duterte Fit to Stand Trial, ICC Says

An independent panel of experts said that the 81-year-old "has the capacity to understand the charges" and "the purpose and consequences" of the trial...

09.10.2026 40

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

In a Diplomatic Shift, Malaysian PM Hosts Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing

While the talks focused on the repatriation of refugees, Anwar also appeared to endorse Myanmar's reintegration into ASEAN.

08.10.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Trade Agreement With US Close to Completion, Thai Prime Minister Says

Anutin Charnvirakul said that he expected to sign the Agreement on ⁠Reciprocal Trade during President Donald Trump's next visit to Asia.

08.10.2026 400

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

At Least 8 Dead in Myanmar Air Strikes, Rakhine Rebel Group Claims

In a desperate bid to claw back territory from the Arakan Army, the Myanmar military has ramped up its use of air power.

06.10.2026 80

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Laos Replaces Prime Minister in Major Leadership Reshuffle

Saleumxay Kommasith, a former foreign minister and permanent representative to the UN, has been appointed to the top job.

06.10.2026 40

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines Rejects Chinese Claim to ‘Sovereign Rights’ Over Waters Around Batanes

The Chinese activities around the Philippines' northernmost province represent the opening of a new front in the maritime struggle between the two...

02.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian President Replaces Foreign Minister With Career Diplomat

The appointment of Arrmanatha Nasir is likely to result in a reassertion of the Foreign Ministry's role in Indonesian foreign policymaking.

02.10.2026 150

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China’s Military Open New Logistics and Training Facility in Laos

The center north of Vientiane, a counterpart to a similar naval facility in Cambodia, marks a further extension of Beijing's security presence in...

01.10.2026 400

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

UN Refugee Agency Expresses Concerns About Malaysia’s Deportation of Asylum Seekers to Myanmar

The statement came as Kuala Lumpur confirmed plans to deport a further 3,500 people as part of its "voluntary repatriation program" with Myanmar.

01.10.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand’s Constitutional Court Dismisses Petition Seeking Annulment of General Election

The petition concerned the use of barcodes and QR codes on ballot papers, which some claimed could breach constitutional requirements for secret...

29.09.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Confirms Arrest of Viet Tan Activists Reported Missing in Cambodia

Rights groups claim that Nguyen Duc Thuan and Tran Hiep were abducted in Cambodia, in line with a pattern of growing transnational repression by the...

29.09.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Filipina Drug Trafficker Walks Free After Receiving Presidential Pardon

Mary Jane Veloso has always maintained her innocence, claiming that a relative tricked into carrying a large shipment of drugs.

28.09.2026 50

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam, Canada Announce Establishment of Strategic Partnership

As middle powers reliant on international order that is in a state of disarray, Hanoi and Ottawa believe they have a lot to gain from deeper...

25.09.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodian Authorities Investigating Scamming Sites Linked to Sanctioned Tycoons, Senior Official Says

Phnom Penh is trying to address criticisms that the current anti-scam campaign is more about reputation management than full accountability.

25.09.2026 50

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

166 Civil Society Groups Urge Halt to Malaysia’s Rohingya Deportation Plan

The organizations expressed “grave concern” about the repatriation of refugees to Myanmar, citing the risks of violent persecution and forced...

24.09.2026 100

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodian Beauty Pageant Acknowledges Mistaken Use of Thai Historical Photograph

The unresolved border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has given rise to a rash of online disputes over cultural "ownership."

24.09.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodian Government Grants Journalists Access to Giant Former Scamming Compound

Despite touting its anti-scam credentials, it is unclear whether Phnom Penh will investigate prominent individuals who allegedly enabled and profited...

22.09.2026 50

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Reciprocal Trade Deal With the US Close to Completion, Vietnamese Media Reports

Hanoi's top leader To Lam met yesterday with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in New York, where he is set to attend the U.N....

22.09.2026 40

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Civil Society Groups File Lawsuit Against Indonesian Government Over Kalimantan Wildfires

The suit accuses President Prabowo Subianto and other senior officials of deliberate negligence for failing to prevent and properly handle the ongoing...

21.09.2026 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio