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Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio

Foreign Policy

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Thai Election Commission Certifies Remaining Parliamentary Seats

With 499 of 500 seats now certified, the newly elected parliament will convene to select a new prime minister within 15 days.

previous day 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines Arrests 3 Defense Personnel Over China Spy Claims

The three arrested individuals reportedly relayed sensitive information to Beijing, including details of Philippine resupply missions in the South...

previous day 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Board of Peace Talks ‘On Hold’ Due to Iran Conflict, Indonesia Says

Jakarta’s participation in U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative has drawn widespread criticism, particularly from conservative Islamic groups.

thursday 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

ASEAN Calls For ‘Self-restraint’, Return to Diplomacy as Iran War Intensifies

The flat tone of the bloc's statements belies the severe disruptions that the war could have on Southeast Asia's export-dependent economies.

thursday 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Napon Jatusripitak on Thailand’s ‘Blue Wave’ Election

"If this was a conservative triumph, it was one built not on ideology but on the disciplined mobilization of patronage networks that had been...

04.03.2026 2

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysian Parliament Votes Down Proposed 10-Year Prime Ministerial Term Limit

The Bill was a part of a package of reforms that Anwar announced in January, in response to growing discontent within the ranks of his unity...

03.03.2026 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Junta Grants Amnesties to More Than 7,300 Political Prisoners

The release is designed to reinforce the legitimacy of the incoming “civilian” administration and communicate signals of reform to foreign...

03.03.2026 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Singapore to Ramp Up Immigration as Birth Rate Hits New Low

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said that without concerted action, the country's citizen population will start to shrink by the early 2040s.

02.03.2026 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

How Southeast Asia Responded to the Outbreak of the Iran War

In the wake of the attacks, most of the region's governments have issued calls for restraint and a return to political dialogue.

02.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Election Body Certifies Most Parliamentary Seats, Affirming Bhumjaithai Victory

With the remaining seats likely to be confirmed next week, a new coalition government is expected to be formed in the coming weeks.

26.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Pro-Trump Influencer Nick Adams Dropped as US Ambassador to Malaysia, Report Says

Adams' "alpha male" posturing and pro-Israel comments set off alarms in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country where sympathy for the Palestinian cause...

26.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Duterte Played Central Role in Drug War Killings, ICC Prosecutors Claim

The court's deputy prosecutor said that the former Philippine leader was “at the very heart” of a plan to “neutralize alleged criminals,...

24.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Newly Elected Myanmar Parliament to Convene in mid-March, Junta Says

After their initial meetings, the two houses of parliament will reconvene to select a new president who will take office in April.

24.02.2026 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US to Remove Vietnam From Export Control List, Government Says

The move is a sign of growing strategic trust, but trade is likely to remain a point of friction in relations between Hanoi and Washington.

23.02.2026 40

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Navy Seizes Cambodian Fishing Boat in Disputed Waters

Phnom Penh denounced the capture of the vessel and its crew as “an unauthorized incursion” into Cambodian territorial waters.

23.02.2026 50

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Fourth Impeachment Complaint Filed Against Philippine Vice-President

The move came a day after Sara Duterte officially announced her intention to run for the presidency in 2028.

20.02.2026 200

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Signs Reciprocal Trade Agreement With US, Tariff Set at 19%

Jakarta will cut trade barriers on more than 99 percent of American imports, in exchange for tariff exemptions for certain key goods.

20.02.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

3 Southeast Asian Leaders Arrive in Washington for ‘Board of Peace’ Summit

Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia each have their reasons for taking part in President Donald Trump's initiative, but most of the region remains...

19.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Wants to Bring Myanmar Back Into ASEAN, Foreign Minister Says

After a meeting with his junta counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow said that Thailand wanted to be a "bridge" connecting Myanmar back to the regional...

19.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Readies 1,000 Soldiers for Potential Deployment to Gaza in April

Jakarta's contribution to the U.N. Security Council-mandated International Stabilization Force (ISF) has stirred controversy at home.

17.02.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Gives Greenlight to Starlink Satellite Internet Service

The approval will allow Starlink's local subsidiary to provide satellite internet access to up to 600,000 user terminals.

17.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Prime Minister Announces Coalition Agreement With Pheu Thai Party

Pheu Thai's decision offers it the chance to retain some political influence after a disappointing performance at the February 8 general election.

16.02.2026 80

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Junta Expels Timor-Leste’s Top Diplomat Over War Crimes Case

The junta has accused Dili of violating articles of the ASEAN Charter that "underscore the importance of upholding respect for sovereignty and...

16.02.2026 100

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam’s To Lam to Attend ‘Board of Peace’ Summit Next Week

The Vietnamese leader is reportedly also seeking a meeting with President Donald Trump to discuss trade and tariffs.

13.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodian Reporter Detained After Photographing Raid on Scam Center

The government's treatment of reporters covering Cambodia's cyber-fraud epidemic raises questions about the nature of its current anti-scam crackdown.

13.02.2026 70

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia to Sign US Trade Agreement Next Week, Govt Says

President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to attend the inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump's Board of Peace on February 19.

12.02.2026 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Calls Mount for Recount of Thai Election Amid Claims of Fraud, Irregularities

The opposition People's Party has requested recounts in 18 constituencies, saying that there was "clear evidence of irregularities during the tallying...

12.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

44 Former Progressive Thai MPs Face Lifetime Ban From Politics

A day after suffering a shock defeat at a general election, the progressive People's Party has been dealt a fresh blow by the national anti-graft...

10.02.2026 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia, Australia Sign Security Treaty, Pledge Joint Consultations

The agreement symbolizes the health of the relationship between Canberra and Jakarta, but stops short of providing binding security guarantees.

10.02.2026 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Conservative Bhumjaithai Party Wins Decisive Victory in Thai General Election

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to be returned to office after the expected progressive "orange wave" failed to materialize.

09.02.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Prepares to Vote in High-stakes General Election

No party is expected to win the 251-seat majority needed to rule alone.

07.02.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Government Removes Embargo on Arms Sales to Cambodia

The Department of Commerce's ruling is the latest sign of the positive momentum in relations between Phnom Penh and Washington.

06.02.2026 40

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Congressional Committee Says Marcos Impeachment Efforts Lack Substance

The two complaints sought the president's removal for a range of offenses, including alleged drug use and involvement in high-level corruption.

05.02.2026 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Military Proxy Party Declared Lopsided Victor in ‘Sham’ Myanmar Election

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won 739 of the 1,025 seats up for grabs in national and provincial assemblies.

05.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Timor-Leste Opens Legal Proceedings Against Myanmar’s Military Junta

A human rights group representing the Chin ethnic minority last month submitted a legal complaint in Dili accusing the military of a litany of abuses.

03.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Political Activists File Fresh Impeachment Complaints Against Philippine Vice President

After surviving an impeachment attempt last year, Sara Duterte has once again been accused of corruption and betraying the public's trust.

03.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Stops Blocking Grok Chatbot After Assurances From Parent Company

Southeast Asian states' efforts to restrict the service may offer signs of how the region plans to regulate AI services going forward.

02.02.2026 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

People’s Party Extends Lead in Polls Ahead of Thai General Election

The progressive party remains in pole position, but it remains to be seen whether it can win enough seats to form Thailand's next government.

02.02.2026 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam, European Union Announce Major Diplomatic Upgrade Amid Trade Uncertainties

António Costa, the president of the European Council, said that the upgrade “underlines the importance we attach to the region and to Vietnam’s...

30.01.2026 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

ASEAN Will Not Recognize Myanmar Military’s Election, Lazaro Says

The Philippine foreign secretary nonetheless expressed optimism that "something positive" might emerge from the recent one-sided polls.

30.01.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Executive Committee of Malaysian Soccer Body Quits En Masse Over Naturalization Scandal

The global soccer body FIFA has suspended seven foreign-born players that it claims were granted Malaysian citizenship through the use of fake...

29.01.2026 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

ASEAN Foreign Ministers Discuss Myanmar, South China Sea at Cebu Retreat

The two-day Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) Retreat is the bloc's first major meeting under the Philippines' chairmanship for 2026.

29.01.2026 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Takes Delivery of First French-made Rafale Fighter Jets

The three aircraft are the first portion of Indonesia’s $8.1 billion order for 42 new fighters from the French defense manufacturer Dassault.

27.01.2026 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Warship Pays First Port Call at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base

The USS Cincinnati's five-day visit reflects the rapid positive turn that U.S.-Cambodia relations have taken over the past several years.

27.01.2026 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian Rupiah Touches New Low Amid Worries of Central Bank Independence

The nomination of President Prabowo Subianto's nephew to the board of Bank Indonesia has added to the uncertainties surrounding Indonesia's economic...

22.01.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam’s Communist Party Votes to Cut Short 14th National Congress

The decision likely reflects a broad unanimity about the reappointment of Party chief To Lam to a second five-year term.

22.01.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam’s Communist Party Opens 14th National Congress Under Tight Security

The five-yearly conclave will choose the country's top leaders and set the direction of government policy for the remainder of the decade.

20.01.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine President Announces Discovery of Major Natural Gas Field

The discovery, the first in more than a decade, will support the government's attempts to wean itself off coal-powered electricity generation.

19.01.2026 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Singaporean PM Removes Workers’ Party Chief as Official Opposition Leader

The High Court last month upheld Pritam Singh's conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee in connection with a case involving a former...

16.01.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Japan, Philippines Sign New Defense Pact to Facilitate Flow of Military Supplies

The new deal will support the implementation of the two nations' Reciprocal Access Agreement, which came into force in September.

16.01.2026 40

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio