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Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio

Foreign Policy

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Philippines Opens Campaign Period in Landmark Bangsamoro Regional Elections

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...

previous day 2

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China Calls on Cambodia and Thailand to Resolve Border Conflict

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.

previous day 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines Says Chinese Fighter Tailed Patrol Aircraft Over South China Sea

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...

thursday 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

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

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...

thursday 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Claims Another Soldier Injured by Landmine Along Cambodian Border

Thailand Claims Another Soldier Injured by Landmine Along Cambodian Border

Accusing Cambodia of laying fresh mines, the Thai military said that "we may be compelled to exercise our right to self-defense under international...

13.08.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysian Court Clears Former PM Najib to Seek Review of Purported House Arrest Order

The ex-leader alleges that the Malaysian government has covered up the existence of the order, an addendum to a royal pardon granted to him last year.

13.08.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Chinese Vessels Collide While Pursuing Philippine Patrol Ship in South China Sea

Chinese Vessels Collide While Pursuing Philippine Patrol Ship in South China Sea

The incident took place in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal, a frequent point of contention between Manila and Beijing.

12.08.2025 2

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Censored Thai Exhibition Undermined ‘Core Interests,’ China Claims

Censored Thai Exhibition Undermined ‘Core Interests,’ China Claims

A Bangkok gallery was last month forced to remove materials about Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong from an exhibition about global authoritarianism.

12.08.2025 2

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Again Accuses Cambodia of Laying Fresh Landmines Along Disputed Border

Thailand Again Accuses Cambodia of Laying Fresh Landmines Along Disputed Border

The country's military claims that three soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion on Saturday, the third in recent weeks.

11.08.2025 50

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia to Lead ASEAN Delegation to Myanmar Next Month, FM Says

Malaysia to Lead ASEAN Delegation to Myanmar Next Month, FM Says

Mohamad Hasan said that he will seek clarifications from the military about the election that it plans to hold at the end of the year.

11.08.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia, Thailand Agree to New Measures to Reinforce Border Ceasefire

Cambodia, Thailand Agree to New Measures to Reinforce Border Ceasefire

The two sides have reaffirmed their commitment to the July 28 ceasefire and agreed to allow ASEAN observers to monitor the situation.

08.08.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Announces Plans to Treat 2,000 Injured Gazan Civilians

The people will be treated on Galang Island off the coast of Sumatra, which formerly housed around 250,000 refugees from Indochina.

08.08.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand’s Cabinet Approves Changes to Troubled Chinese Submarine Deal

Thailand’s Cabinet Approves Changes to Troubled Chinese Submarine Deal

The Chinese submarine will now be fitted with a Chinese-made diesel engine, in lieu of the German engines included in the original deal.

07.08.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian State Investment Fund to Pursue Railway Debt Restructuring

Indonesian State Investment Fund to Pursue Railway Debt Restructuring

The China-backed Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway has created a considerable debt burden for the Indonesian government.

07.08.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines and India Announce Establishment of Strategic Partnership

Philippines and India Announce Establishment of Strategic Partnership

The announcement came shortly after the two nations held their first joint naval exercise in the disputed South China Sea.

06.08.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine House Seeks Reversal of Supreme Court Ruling on VP’s Impeachment

Last month, the court ruled that the House's impeachment of Sara Duterte in February violated the constitution's "one-year bar" rule.

06.08.2025 40

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines, India Wind Up First Joint Naval Exercise in South China Sea

Philippines, India Wind Up First Joint Naval Exercise in South China Sea

The maritime cooperative activity marked a significant step forward in defense cooperation between Manila and New Delhi.

05.08.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia Agreed to $150B in Purchases as Part of US Tariff Deal: Minister

Malaysia Agreed to $150B in Purchases as Part of US Tariff Deal: Minister

Despite the White House's release of updated tariff figures last week, there is much still to be negotiated between Washington and its trade partners.

05.08.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia to Nominate President Trump for Nobel Peace Prize, Official Says

Cambodia to Nominate President Trump for Nobel Peace Prize, Official Says

The American leader reportedly played an important role in forcing the two nations to cease hostilities in their ongoing border dispute.

04.08.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Trump to Attend ASEAN Meetings in October, Malaysian PM Says

Trump to Attend ASEAN Meetings in October, Malaysian PM Says

Even if confirmed, it is hard to draw conclusions about what it means for the future trajectory of U.S.-Southeast Asia relations.

04.08.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Military Ends State of Emergency to Prep for Election at Year’s End

Myanmar Military Ends State of Emergency to Prep for Election at Year’s End

The State Administration Council has been dissolved and a new caretaker government appointed, but the military remains firmly in charge.

01.08.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Trump Cuts Tariffs on Cambodia and Thailand to 19% After Border Ceasefire

The Thai and Cambodian tariffs were announced along with updated rates for 65 other countries, including punitive 40 percent tariffs on Laos and...

01.08.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Junta Introduces Severe Punishments For Those Obstructing Controversial Election

Myanmar Junta Introduces Severe Punishments For Those Obstructing Controversial Election

The law gives the military with the legal wherewithal to quash what is likely to be widespread resistance to the December election.

31.07.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines’ Marcos to Visit India as Navies Hold First South China Sea Exercise

The maritime cooperative activity will mark a significant upgrade in naval cooperation between Manila and New Delhi.

31.07.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Signs Contract With Türkiye to Buy 48 KAAN Fighter Jets

The planned acquisition of the Turkish fighter marks an extension of Jakarta’s promiscuous approach to the modernization of its ageing fighter fleet.

30.07.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai-Cambodian Ceasefire Continues to Hold, Despite Thai Claims of Violations

Whether the ceasefire holds depends on whether political constituencies in both countries, including their respective armies, are committed to peace.

30.07.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Senator Urges SpaceX to Block Internet Access to Southeast Asian Scam Operations

Any attempt to block criminal organizations from using the Starlink internet service could also deprive resistance groups of a vital communications...

29.07.2025 1

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand, Cambodia Dispute Status of Border Ceasefire

The Thai army accused its Cambodian counterpart of violating the ceasefire, which was intended to end a fierce five-day border conflict.

29.07.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

The Roots of the Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict

The Roots of the Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict

The acrimonious dispute, which flared into violence last week, concerns much more than a few square kilometers of rugged territory.

28.07.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia’s Anwar Calls for Ceasefire Between Thailand and Cambodia

Conflict continues to rage at various points along the two nations' border, a day after fighting erupted at the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple.

25.07.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysian PM Unveils New Measures to Address Rising Cost of Living

Anwar Ibrahim announced a 100-ringgit payment to all adult citizens, and a further reduction in the price of state-subsidized petrol.

24.07.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Recalls Ambassador to Cambodia After Landmine Blast at Border

The two nations are inching toward open conflict, after Bangkok accused the Cambodian army of laying fresh landmines in a disputed area of the border.

24.07.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai and Cambodian Troops Clash Along Disputed Border

The clash comes a day after the Thai government downgraded its diplomatic relations with Phnom Penh in connection with the intensifying dispute.

24.07.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand and Cambodia Exchange Heavy Fire Along Disputed Border

After weeks of simmering tensions, relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh have finally broken down.

24.07.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US, Indonesia Release Further Details of ‘Reciprocal’ Tariff Agreement

In exchange for moderate tariff relief, Jakarta has agreed to open its markets to American goods and remove restrictions on the exports of critical...

23.07.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Trump Announces Trade Deal With Philippines, Small Reduction in Tariff Rate

The U.S. leader said that Washington would apply a 19 percent tariff on Philippine imports, while Manila has agreed to remove all of its tariffs on...

23.07.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia to Probe Reporters’ Claims That 1MDB Fugitive Jho Low Is in China

Journalists Bradley Hope and Tom Wright said last week that the Penang financier is living in Shanghai using a forged Australian passport.

23.07.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia Amends Constitution to Permit Revocation of Citizenship

The change targets Cambodian citizens who are accused of colluding or conspiring with foreign powers.

23.07.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China Issues Diplomatic Protest Over Philippines’ Engagement With Taiwan

Despite proclaiming a "one China" policy, Manila has been moving toward greater economic and security cooperation with Taipei.

21.07.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine President Marcos to Meet with Trump in Washington

The Philippine leader is the first Southeast Asian leader to be invited to Washington by President Trump since the start of his second term.

19.07.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Solar Manufacturers Seek New Tariffs on Imports From India, Southeast Asia

Previous tariffs have prompted Chinese manufacturers to shift their operations to Indonesia and Laos, while low-cost Indian solar imports are also on...

18.07.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Pressure Builds on Malaysia to Reject US Ambassadorial Nominee

President Trump's nomination of the cartoonish MAGA influencer Nick Adams has presented Anwar’s government with an acute diplomatic dilemma.

18.07.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Former Thai PM Thaksin Gives Testimony in Lese-majeste Case

The case is just one of a handful of legal complaints that threaten to end the influence of the Shinawatra family in Thai politics.

18.07.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

As Deadline Approaches, Trump Announces Tariff Deal With Indonesia

The agreement bears a close similarity to the deal that the U.S. president announced with Vietnam in early July, but a lot of details remain unclear.

17.07.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Police Raid More Properties Linked to Cambodian Tycoon

Thailand has accused Kok An, who also serves as a senator for Cambodia's ruling party, of involvement in large-scale scamming operations.

17.07.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia to Begin Military Conscription Amid Thai Border Dispute, PM Says

Hun Manet has announced plans to begin enforcing a military conscription law that was passed in 2006.

15.07.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Anti-graft Body Says It Will Probe Suspended PM Over Leaked Call

The NACC probe comes after the Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office pending its own investigation into her conduct.

15.07.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Ian Storey on Russia’s Turn to Southeast Asia

Under President Vladimir Putin, Moscow has attempted to expand its influence in the region – with mixed results.

15.07.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia, EU Announce Agreement to Advance Free Trade Pact

Facing significant U.S. tariffs, Jakarta and Brussels have expedited negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

14.07.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Khmer Rouge Execution, Torture Sites Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

The Cambodian government says that the three sites “bear irrefutable evidence of events amounting to one of the most serious abuses of human rights...

14.07.2025 2

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio