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Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio

Foreign Policy

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Inside Asia’s ‘Milk Tea Alliance’

Historian Jeff Wasserstrom explains the origins of an online political movement that has shaped Asia's youth protest culture.

yesterday 0

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan Among 36 Nations in Line for US Travel Bans: Report

A State Department memo suggests that a new group of nations, most of them in Africa, could be soon subjected to full or partial bans.

yesterday 1

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Government Confident of Good Outcome in US Tariff Talks, Minister Says

The country's commerce minister says the 36 percent tariff imposed in April could be reduced to as low as 10 percent.

yesterday 1

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia Officially Requests ICJ Intervention in Thai Border Dispute

With nationalistic sentiment now mobilized in both countries, tensions will likely get worse before they get better.

previous day 50

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Former Philippine President Files Request for Interim Release From ICC

Rodrigo Duterte's lawyers say that an unnamed third country has agreed to take in the 80-year-old prior to his trial.

previous day 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Prabowo to Visit Russia Next Week, Will Miss G7 Meeting in Canada

The state visit was planned prior to receiving the G-7 invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Jakarta says.

13.06.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Approves Radical Consolidation of Provinces and Major Cities

Vietnam Approves Radical Consolidation of Provinces and Major Cities

The change, part of an administrative "revolution" spearheaded by CPV chief To Lam, will see the number of provinces and centrally-run cities cut from...

13.06.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Prosecutors Defend Impeachment of Vice President, Say Case Must Go Ahead

Members of the impeachment prosecution panel say that the case is "fully compliant with the requirements of the constitution."

13.06.2025 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysian Trade Minister to Visit Washington For Second Round of Tariff Talks

Tengku Zafrul Aziz will hold meetings with the U.S. trade officials next week, in the shadow of President Donald Trump's July 9 tariff deadline.

12.06.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Cancels 4 Nickel Mining Licenses After Environmental Outcry

Indonesia Cancels 4 Nickel Mining Licenses After Environmental Outcry

Environmental groups say that Indonesia's nickel industry has caused significant environmental degradation and social displacement.

11.06.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Senate Votes to Return Duterte Impeachment Case to Lower House

Philippine Senate Votes to Return Duterte Impeachment Case to Lower House

The decision came hours after senators were sworn in as judges in the impending impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

11.06.2025 9

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia, EU to Conclude Free Trade Negotiations By End of June

Indonesia, EU to Conclude Free Trade Negotiations By End of June

The two sides have strong economic and strategic incentives to finalize an agreement that has been under negotiation for nearly a decade.

10.06.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia, Thailand Announce Pullback of Troops From Disputed Border

Cambodia, Thailand Announce Pullback of Troops From Disputed Border

Forces that were deployed after a deadly armed clash on May 28 have been withdrawn to previously agreed positions.

10.06.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China Accuses EU of Stirring Up ‘Trouble’ in South China Sea

China Accuses EU of Stirring Up ‘Trouble’ in South China Sea

In the Philippines this week, the EU’s foreign policy chief expressed concern over China's "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive measures"...

07.06.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Considering Purchase of China’s J-10 Fighter Jet: Report

Indonesia Considering Purchase of China’s J-10 Fighter Jet: Report

In its drive to modernize its air force, Jakarta continues to search for the right mix of price, capability, and self-reliance.

06.06.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Afghanistan, Myanmar Included on Trump Travel Ban List

Afghanistan, Myanmar Included on Trump Travel Ban List

The two nations are among 12 that the U.S. president accuses of having "taken advantage" of the U.S. visa system.

06.06.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Senator Seeks Dismissal of Impeachment Case Against VP Duterte

Philippine Senator Seeks Dismissal of Impeachment Case Against VP Duterte

Senator Ronald dela Rosa's resolution is the latest shot fired in the ongoing political war between the Duterte and Marcos clans.

06.06.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Pressuring Vietnam to Downgrade Economic Ties With China: Report

US Pressuring Vietnam to Downgrade Economic Ties With China: Report

Washington is driving a hard bargain in its ongoing trade and tariff negotiations with Hanoi.

05.06.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China Pressuring Two Major Myanmar Armed Groups to Halt Offensives

Beijing continues to push for a political settlement that will allow strategic China-backed infrastructure projects to move forward.

05.06.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia Says It Will Take Thai Border Dispute to International Court

Cambodia Says It Will Take Thai Border Dispute to International Court

Late last month, a 48-year-old Cambodian soldier was killed during military clash in a disputed area of the border.

04.06.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

EU, Philippines to Establish Dialogue on Defense and Security Issues

EU, Philippines to Establish Dialogue on Defense and Security Issues

The announcement is an apparent response to the geopolitical turbulence that is roiling both regions.

04.06.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Defense Secretary to Visit China-Linked Cambodian Naval Base

US Defense Secretary to Visit China-Linked Cambodian Naval Base

American officials have long been concerned that Ream Naval Base could become a de facto Chinese military outpost.

03.06.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Military Extends Earthquake Ceasefire Following ASEAN Request

Myanmar Military Extends Earthquake Ceasefire Following ASEAN Request

The Southeast Asian bloc has been harshly criticized for praising ceasefires that have done little to end the junta's attacks on civilians.

03.06.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Golden Triangle Methamphetamine Trafficking Continues to Surge, UN Says

In 2024 Asian governments seized a record 236 tons of the drug, the vast majority of it in mainland Southeast Asia.

30.05.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Ex-Goldman Sachs Banker Sentenced to 2 Years Prison Over 1MDB Scandal

The former "star dealmaker” told a Brooklyn court that billions in stolen funds "could have profoundly benefited" Malaysia and its people.

30.05.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

France, Indonesia Sign Agreement That Could Lead to Further Defense Purchases

Amid deepening defense ties, Jakarta seems set to consolidate its status as the top customer of French arms in Southeast Asia.

30.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Prabowo Says Indonesia Ready to Establish Diplomatic Ties With Israel–On One Condition

Despite recent reports of a softening of Indonesian policy, establishing ties with Tel Aviv would come with high domestic political risks.

30.05.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

ASEAN Holds First Trilateral Summit With China, Gulf States

Malaysia's PM Anwar Ibrahim said there are “vast opportunities" for closer economic cooperation amid the uncertainties attending the shift in U.S....

29.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

On Hanoi Visit, Macron Pitches France as ‘Third Way’ Between China and US

The visit also saw the signing of a major deal for the purchase of 20 Airbus planes by the budget Vietnamese airline VietJet.

29.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia’s Anwar Seeks Trump’s Support for ASEAN-US Tariff Summit

Opening yesterday's 46th ASEAN Summit, the Malaysian leader also hailed the “significant” progress in efforts to end the civil war in Myanmar.

27.05.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Announces Record Drug Seizure Off Sumatra Coast

Jakarta's anti-drug agency linked the 2-ton meth seizure to a syndicate in the Golden Triangle, which has seen a spike in narcotics production over...

27.05.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Timor-Leste Could Gain ASEAN Membership Later This Year, Malaysian FM Says

The young nation has yet to fulfill a considerable number of legal requirements, suggesting that a later timeline might be more realistic.

26.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Ahead of ASEAN Summit, Malaysian FM Calls for Regional Action on US Tariffs

Along with the conflict in Myanmar, the issue of trade is likely to be high on the agenda at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

26.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

The Time Is Right for Myanmar Dialogue, Malaysia’s Anwar Says

Ahead of next week's ASEAN Summit, the Malaysian leader has hailed the “remarkable progress" in efforts to end the country's civil war.

23.05.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Court Orders Former PM Yingluck Shinawatra to Pay Rice Scheme Damages

The ruling appears to mark a further fracturing of the political pact between the Shinawatras and conservative political establishment.

23.05.2025 2

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand’s Finance Minister Says It Wants Fair Trade Relationship With Washington

Like many Asian governments, Bangkok has announced a number of trade concessions while taking steps to reduce its overall reliance on the American...

22.05.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Commerce Department Gets Green Light for Southeast Asian Solar Tariffs

The U.S. solar industry has been "materially injured" by a flood of cheap panels and components from four Southeast Asian nations, a key trade body...

22.05.2025 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

How China Has Responded to Southeast Asia’s ‘Scamdemic’

Selina Ho discusses the Chinese government's efforts to combat criminal operations that have harmed its image and reputation in the Mekong region.

21.05.2025 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Police Arrest Construction Tycoon, 14 Others, Over Building Collapse

Premchai Karnasuta, the head of one of the country's largest construction firms, is among those facing prison time over the tragic incident in late...

20.05.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodian Police Arrest Journalist Who Reported on Illegal Logging

Ouk Mao, 49, faces a raft of criminal charges connected to his reporting on land grabs by well-connected companies in protected areas.

19.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam, Thailand Announce Major Diplomatic Upgrade Amid US Tariff Fears

The two nations have pledged to expand bilateral trade and investment as a hedge against their heavy reliance on the American market.

19.05.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Winds Up Second State Visit to Russia

The four-day visit was overshadowed by the release of a report blaming Russia for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, in which 43 Malaysians...

16.05.2025 9

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

On Indonesia Visit, Albanese Calls For Greater Defense and Economic Cooperation

Despite the warm neighborly talk that marked the Australian leader's visit, the two nations will continue to have divergent strategic perspectives.

16.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Death Toll From Air Strike on Myanmar School Rises to 25

The school, which was run by the opposition National Unity Government, was located in a resistance-controlled village in Sagaing Region.

16.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Midterm Election Marred by Violence, Vote-buying: Monitors

Two international election monitoring groups noted “systemic deficiencies," especially in local elections.

15.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Takes Steps to Tackle Piracy and Counterfeiting Amid US Trade Negotiations

Trump administration trade officials accuse Hanoi of failing to stem the sale of counterfeit goods, many of them produced in China.

14.05.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

British Authorities Charge Former Myanmar Envoy With Trespassing on London Residence

Claiming to represent Myanmar's legitimate government, Kyaw Zwar Minn has refused to leave the ambassador's residence in London.

14.05.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Duterte Allies Perform Strongly in Philippine Midterm Elections

Candidates aligned with the former president are on track to win four Senate seats, which could be crucial in Vice President Sara Duterte's upcoming...

13.05.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim Embarks on Second Visit to Russia

Malaysia's warming relations with Russia reflect Anwar's skepticism toward the current U.S.-led international order.

13.05.2025 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia, China Prepare to Launch ‘Golden Dragon’ Military Exercises

Cambodia's military says that this year's iteration of the drills will set new standards in terms of “scope, troop participation, and the use of...

12.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio