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Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio

Foreign Policy

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Bangladesh’s Yunus Calls For Action to Prevent Rohingya Refugee ‘Catastrophe’

Bangladesh’s Yunus Calls For Action to Prevent Rohingya Refugee ‘Catastrophe’

The festering humanitarian emergency in southeastern Bangladesh has been eclipsed by a succession of regional and global crises.

monday 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Food Poisoning Outbreaks Heap Pressure on Indonesia’s Free Meal Program

More than 6,000 schoolchildren have fallen ill since the launch of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship program, prompting calls for its suspension.

monday 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

EU Expects to Finalize Trade Pacts With Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia in 2026

EU Expects to Finalize Trade Pacts With Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia in 2026

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic signed a long-awaited Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Indonesia on Tuesday.

27.09.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Singapore Orders Meta to Clamp Down on Facebook Impersonation Scams

Singapore Orders Meta to Clamp Down on Facebook Impersonation Scams

The number of such cases more than tripled from 589 in the first half of 2024 to 1,762 over the same period this year, according to the Singaporean...

27.09.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia’s Anwar Winds up Visit to Timor-Leste as ASEAN Membership Looms

The Malaysian leader was awarded Timor-Leste's highest honor “in recognition of his long-standing advocacy and Malaysia’s role in supporting the...

25.09.2025 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai PM Anutin Affirms Intention to Dissolve Parliament in January

The new prime minister also announced several measures to revive the Thai economy and alleviate the cost of living.

25.09.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian Government Defends Expanding Military Influence in Civilian Affairs

Indonesian Government Defends Expanding Military Influence in Civilian Affairs

President Prabowo Subianto is accused of eroding the firewall erected between the military and civilian spheres after the fall of Suharto in 1998.

23.09.2025 2

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

RCEP Summit to Discuss Deeper Trade Alignment, Possible New Members, Malaysia Says

RCEP Summit to Discuss Deeper Trade Alignment, Possible New Members, Malaysia Says

The bloc, which includes around a third of global GDP, has assumed greater significance following Washington's sharp protectionist turn.

23.09.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Military Loosens Political Party Requirements Ahead of Contentious Election

Myanmar Military Loosens Political Party Requirements Ahead of Contentious Election

The change is a telling concession to the challenges that the military faces in holding a “nationwide” election in the midst of the country's...

23.09.2025 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Immigration Department Denies Links to Scam Gang Abductions

Thai Immigration Department Denies Links to Scam Gang Abductions

Last week, a Reuters report turned a spotlight on the alleged role of Thai officials in facilitating the trafficking of foreign workers to scam...

22.09.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China Warns Philippines Against ‘Disruptive’ Actions After Patrols With US, Japan

During September 11-13, the Philippines, Japan, and the United States took part in a "maritime cooperation activity" inside the Philippines' exclusive...

15.09.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Singapore’s First F-35 Fighter Set for Delivery by End of 2026, Defense Minister Says

The influx of new state-of-the-art aircraft over the remainder of the decade will complete the “progressive drawdown” of the RSAF’s ageing F-16 fleet.

15.09.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines Protests Proposed Chinese Nature Reserve at Scarborough Shoal

A senior Philippine official has described the move as a prelude to Beijing's "eventual occupation" of the disputed South China Sea atoll.

12.09.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Former Philippine President Duterte Not Fit to Stand Trial, Lawyers Claim

The ex-leader allegedly suffers from significant cognitive deficiencies that affect his memory, his executive functioning, and "his capacity for...

12.09.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand, Cambodia Pledge to De-escalate Situation at Disputed Border

The two sides have agreed to withdraw heavy weaponry, begin joint de-mining operations, and move toward reopening of trade routes.

11.09.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Government Announces New Sanctions on Scam Networks in Myanmar, Cambodia

US Government Announces New Sanctions on Scam Networks in Myanmar, Cambodia

The U.S. Treasury Department says that Americans lost more than $10 billion to Southeast Asia-based scammers in 2024.

09.09.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Court Orders Former PM Thaksin to Serve 1 Year in Prison

The verdict represents a major blow – perhaps a fatal one – to the political fortunes of the billionaire former leader.

09.09.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Removed in Cabinet Reshuffle

Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Removed in Cabinet Reshuffle

The reshuffle, which included changes to five ministries, comes after two weeks of at times violent protests against police brutality and economic...

09.09.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Ex-Thai PM Thaksin Expected Back in Thailand for Crucial Court Verdict

Thaksin Shinawatra left the country abruptly for Dubai last week, shortly before a scheduled prime ministerial vote in parliament.

08.09.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Anutin Sworn in as Thai Prime Minister, Unveils First Cabinet Picks

The 58-year-old, who was elected by the Thai parliament last week, has promised that his government will “work tirelessly."

08.09.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Business Groups Call For Action on ‘Excessive’ Corruption

The call follows revelations about large-scale graft involving government-funded flood control projects.

05.09.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand’s Parliament Elects Anutin Charnvirakul as Next Prime Minister

The vote brings to an end a week of political uncertainty, but Thailand's political instability seems set to continue.

05.09.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Fires Officer Involved in Police Killing That Ignited Violent Protests

The move is an attempt to mollify public anger at police brutality and the growing economic privation facing many Indonesians.

04.09.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Amid Political Maneuvering, Thai Parliament Sets Date For Prime Ministerial Vote

The ruling Pheu Thai party is attempting to thwart the formation of a new government by dissolving parliament, pushing the country into "uncharted...

04.09.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Opposition Party Yet to Decide Which Party to Back in PM Vote

A parliamentary vote to select the country's next prime minister could take place as early as Friday.

02.09.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Marks 80th National Day With Massive Military Parade

The parade began at Hanoi's Ba Dinh Square, where communist leader Ho Chi Minh declared the country's independence from France in 1945.

02.09.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

With PM’s Removal, Thailand Enters Another Phase of Political Uncertainty

The opposition People's Party has pledged to support the formation of a government by any party willing to dissolve parliament and call fresh...

01.09.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian Lawmakers Agree to Forego Benefits After Deadly Protests

President Prabowo Subianto, who canceled a trip to China due to the unrest, has authorized "firm" action to stop a wave of looting.

01.09.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian Protesters Clash With Police During Demonstrations Over Parliamentary Perks

The protests are an expression of discontent with the economic and political trajectory of the country under President Prabowo Subianto.

29.08.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Junta Chief to Make Second Trip to China Since Coup

The visit comes as Myanmar's miltiary gears up to hold an election aimed at normalizing its relations with key regional neighbors.

29.08.2025 9

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Authorities Release Woman Serving 43-Year Sentence For Royal Defamation

Anchan Preelert, 69, was one of six political prisoners released in a royal amnesty announced on the occasion of King Vajiralongkorn's birthday.

28.08.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Another Thai Soldier Injured By Landmine Along Cambodian Border, Army Says

Bangkok's approach to the landmine issue marks a rare break from its long-standing aversion to internationalizing military disputes.

28.08.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Has Secured US Tariff Exemptions for Products Including Palm Oil, Minister Says

While Jakarta and Washington have agreed to the outlines of a trade agreement, there are a lot of details still to be worked out.

27.08.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Government Grants Refugees From Myanmar the Right to Work

Humanitarian funding cuts and the ongoing exodus of Cambodian workers have prompted Bangkok to reverse course on a long-standing policy.

27.08.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US, Indonesia Kick Off ‘Largest Ever’ Super Garuda Shield Exercise

This year's drills will involve more than 6,000 military personnel from the U.S., Indonesia and 12 other nations.

26.08.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodian Lawmakers Approve Legal Changes Allowing Revocation of Citizenship

Civil society groups say that the change "will have a disastrously chilling effect on the freedom of speech of all Cambodian citizens.”

26.08.2025 2

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thaksin Not Guilty of Royal Insult Charge, Thai Court Says

The past year has seen a gradual souring of relations between the Shinawatra clan and the conservative powers-that-be.

25.08.2025 2

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam On Track to ‘Surpass’ China in Spratly Island Building, Report Says

Hanoi has now begun land reclamation work at all 21 of the rocks and low-tide elevations that it occupies in the disputed island group.

25.08.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Military Claims ‘Increased Chinese Movements’ at Second Thomas Shoal

The deployment to the shoal, the site of a series of dangerous encounters last year, could herald a new season of confrontation in the South China...

22.08.2025 2

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China’s Maritime Assertiveness Posts Risks to European Security, German FM Says in Indonesia

Johann Wadephul said that Beijing's approach "not only threatens Asia’s security, but also undermines the international rules-based order as a whole."

21.08.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia High-speed Rail Project a Financial ‘Time Bomb,’ Official Says

While passenger numbers are up so far in 2025, the $7.3 billion 'Whoosh' project remains far short of profitability.

21.08.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Approves Plan to Hire Sri Lankan Migrant Workers Amid Cambodian Exodus

The Cambodian government estimates that 400,000 migrant workers have returned home since the outbreak of conflict between the two countries last...

20.08.2025 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China Slowly Making Security Inroads in Southeast Asia, Report Says

While the U.S. is still the region's security partner of choice, Sydney's Lowy Institute has noted a growing divide between mainland and maritime...

20.08.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand’s Tourist Arrivals Down on Competition, Safety Concerns

Foreign visitors to the country have fallen by nearly 7 percent so far in 2025.

20.08.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thongchai Winichakul on the Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict

"In such a situation," the prominent Thai historian says, "maps cannot help because they are part of the problem."

20.08.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Military Administration Sets Date For Long-awaited Election

Junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has declared that “problems arising from political differences must be resolved through political means.”

19.08.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines Opens Campaign Period in Landmark Bangsamoro Regional Elections

The Commission on Elections has introduced a gun ban in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, in the run-up to its first parliamentary...

15.08.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China Calls on Cambodia and Thailand to Resolve Border Conflict

Despite ceasefire agreements on July 28 and August 7, the two sides continue to exchange inflammatory accusations.

15.08.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines Says Chinese Fighter Tailed Patrol Aircraft Over South China Sea

The incident comes days after two Chinese vessels collided, allegedly while pursuing a Philippine patrol ship in the vicinity of the contested...

14.08.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar’s Rakhine State Sees ‘Dramatic Rise’ in Hunger Due to Conflict, Aid Cuts

The WFP says that the state's population has suffered from "prolonged conflict, severe movement restrictions, soaring food prices and... a significant...

14.08.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio