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Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio

Foreign Policy

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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.

yesterday 2

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.

yesterday 1

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...

previous day 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...

previous day 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.

wednesday 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 3

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 4

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 7

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 4

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

Thai Courts Turn Spotlight on Former PM Thaksin’s Hospital Stay

A Supreme Court probe into the former leader's six-month stay at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok had added to his politico-legal woes.

12.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Marcos-Duterte Feud Looms Large as Philippines Approaches May 12 Midterms

The dramatic feud between the two political dynasties has polarized the Filipino electorate and crowded out substantial policy debates.

09.05.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Junta Boss to Attend World War II Victory Parade in Moscow

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has made five trips to Russia since the February 2021 coup.

09.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnamese Exports to the US Reach New Post-COVID High

The latest trade figures have increased pressure on Vietnamese negotiators who are attempting to allay U.S. concerns about the nations' lopsided trade...

08.05.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Australia’s PM Albanese Bound For Indonesia on First Post-election Trip

Economic and security relations between Canberra and Jakarta have made significant advances over the past decade.

08.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia to Loosen Local Content Rules Amid US Tariff Negotiations

The local content requirement on government procurements has been highlighted by U.S. trade representatives as a barrier to American imports.

07.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Military Announces Further Extension of Earthquake Ceasefire

The junta has been accused of systematic violations of its ceasefires since the March 28 earthquake.

07.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Announces Sanctions Against Myanmar Military for ‘Facilitating’ Cyber Scams

The Karen National Army and its leader Saw Chit Thu have been described as "key enablers" of the region's online fraud operations.

06.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Sean Turnell on Myanmar’s Star-crossed Economic Reforms

"Had the coup not occurred I have no doubt that Myanmar would have made real progress in catching up to its peers and neighbors."

06.05.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodian Court Sentences Prominent Labor Activist to 4 Years in Prison

Rong Chhun is accused of "incitement" by making public comments about online scamming operations and the Cambodia-Vietnam border.

06.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam’s PM Says US Tariffs Threaten Global Supply Chains, Growth

Pham Minh Chinh says that the Trump administration's tariff announcement has created a "challenging and complicated situation" for the country.

05.05.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Singapore’s PAP Scores Decisive Victory in General Election

The ruling party increased its share of the vote by 4 percent over the last election, while the opposition Workers' Party stagnated.

05.05.2025 4

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian Parliament to Ratify Vietnam EEZ Agreement This Month

The agreement demarcates the maritime boundaries between the two nations, removing a frequent irritant in relations between Hanoi and Jakarta.

02.05.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Prosecutors Dismiss Royal Defamation Charge Against American Academic

Paul Chambers of Naresuan University in Phitsanulok was arrested last month for violating the country's severe lese-majeste law.

02.05.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Protests Moody’s Decision to Downgrade Its Economic Outlook to ‘Negative’

The ratings agency says that the recently announced U.S. tariffs "risk aggravating the trend decline in the country's potential growth.”

01.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

With Lavish Parade, Vietnam Marks 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon

The event marked the fall of the U.S.-backed Republic of Vietnam and paved the way for the nation's unification under communist rule.

01.05.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnamese Navy Vessel Pays Visit to Cambodian Naval Base

Vietnam People's Navy is the second foreign navy that has been invited to the China-funded facilities at Ream Naval Base since their inauguration.

30.04.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

On Ishiba Visit, Japan and Philippines Pledge Further Security Cooperation

United by a shared unease about China's growing maritime assertiveness, Manila and Tokyo have pledged to build on the substantial advances of recent...

30.04.2025 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Japan, Vietnam Pledge Closer Economic Cooperation As Trump Tariffs Loom

Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru said that the two nations will work "to maintain a free and open international order based on the rule of law.”

29.04.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Singapore Orders Facebook to Block Foreign Posts About Upcoming Election

The posts, which were made by three foreign Facebook users, attempted to “urge Singaporeans to vote on racial and religious lines.”

29.04.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Military Attacks Continue Despite Earthquake Ceasefire, Report Says

Data analyzed by Reuters shows that the pace of air and artillery attacks has actually increased since the junta's April 2 ceasefire announcement.

28.04.2025 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines, China Tussle Over Uninhabited South China Sea Reef

Sandy Cay lies just a few nautical miles from Thitu Island, the largest Philippine military outpost in the Spratly Islands.

28.04.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Bars Its Diplomats From Attending Vietnam War Anniversary Events: Report

U.S. Ambassador Mark Knapper had planned to attend events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.

24.04.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Junta Announces Extension of Earthquake Ceasefire

The announcement came amid reports of junta airstrikes in resistance-held regions of the country.

24.04.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Online Scam Syndicates Expanding Within and Beyond Southeast Asia, UN Warns

Recent regional law enforcement operations have prompted "agile" organized crime groups to expand their regional and global presence.

24.04.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Has Reached Deal With US on F-16 Fighter Purchase, Report Claims

If confirmed, the purchase would be the largest ever arms deal between Hanoi and Washington.

24.04.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Government Finalizes Tariffs on Southeast Asian Solar Imports

U.S.-based manufacturers say that Chinese companies based in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia are dumping cheap solar panels on the American...

24.04.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

In Malaysia, China’s Xi Jinping Again Strikes Cooperative Note

As in Vietnam, the Chinese leader has sought to depict himself as a champion of economic openness and cooperation.

16.04.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Singapore Announces General Election to Take Place on May 3

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that Singaporeans need to decide who they want to lead them into a world that “is becoming more uncertain,...

16.04.2025 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysian PM Anwar to Meet Myanmar Junta Chief in Thailand

The Malaysian leader says that he will push for an extension of the junta's ceasefire in order to facilitate earthquake recovery efforts.

15.04.2025 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

‘No Winners’ From Trade War, Xi Jinping Says During Vietnam Visit

Amid the Trump administration's tariff threats, Hanoi treated the Chinese leader to an unusually warm welcome.

15.04.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam to Cut Provinces by Half in Radical Administrative Restructure

The reforms are part of a drive to make the country's political system "lean, compact, strong, efficient, effective, and impactful.”

14.04.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China’s Xi Hails Ties With Indonesia Ahead of Southeast Asia Tour

The Chinese leader will this week visit Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, where he will attempt to contrast China's steady economic engagement with the...

14.04.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio