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Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio

Foreign Policy

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Prominent American Academic Accused of Defaming Thai Monarchy

The Royal Thai Army has accused Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, of violating the lese-majeste law and Computer Crime...

yesterday 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia, China Open New Facilities at Ream Naval Base

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the refurbished base would be open to "all friendly parties," but U.S. suspicions are likely to persist.

yesterday 9

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Southeast Asian Governments React to Punitive Trump Tariffs

Vietnam and Thailand say they are open to negotiations with Washington, but will also seek to diversify their export markets away from the U.S.

04.04.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Junta Announces Ceasefire to Aid Earthquake Recovery Efforts

The ceasefire, which will run until April 22, follows similar announcements from major ethnic rebel groups.

03.04.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Clears Possible $5B Sale of Jet Fighters to Philippines

The proposed acquisition of F-16 fighters would bolster Manila's ability to defend its own assets in disputed parts of the South China Sea.

03.04.2025 7

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Southeast Asia Slammed By President Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs

Nine of the region's 11 nations have been hit with reciprocal tariffs that could devastate local industries – and create a strategic opening for...

03.04.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China’s Xi to Visit Three Southeast Asian Nations This Month, Report Claims

The Chinese leader will visit Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia at a time of great uncertainty about the course of U.S. policy toward the region.

02.04.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

In Earthquake’s Aftermath, Major Myanmar Rebel Alliance Announces ‘Humanitarian Pause’

Could the devastation of the March 28 quake help catalyze a political solution to the country’s civil war?

02.04.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Government Probes Collapse of Bangkok Skyscraper as Rescue Efforts Continue

More than 70 construction workers remain trapped beneath the rubble of the State Audit Office building, which collapsed during the March 28...

01.04.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Earthquake Toll Rises Over 2,000 as Rescue Operations Continue

The devastating March 28 earthquake was the largest to hit central Myanmar since 1839.

01.04.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

China Conducts South China Sea Patrol as US Defense Chief Visits Philippines

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pledged to bolster Manila's attempts to push back against Beijing's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

31.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Death Toll from Myanmar Earthquake Tops 1,700 as Aftershocks Hit

The country's civil war has hampered relief efforts, while junta controls have made it hard to gauge the quake's impact in remote regions.

31.03.2025 3

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Military Chief Says Election to Be Held in December

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has promised to transfer power to whoever wins the election, but there are many reasons to be skeptical.

28.03.2025 9

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Cabinet Approves Second Draft of Contentious Casino Bill

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's government hopes that legalized gambling can deliver a jolt to the sluggish Thai economy.

28.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Announces Cuts to Tariffs on US Goods as Trump Trade Announcement Looms

Vietnamese policymakers are hoping to preempt U.S. concerns about its lopsided trade surplus with the United States.

27.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Pro-Marcos Candidates Set to Dominate Philippine Senate Election: Poll

Candidates endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are on track to win nine of the 12 Senate seats up for grabs at the midterm elections in May.

27.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia’s Rupiah Falls to Lowest Level Since Asian Financial Crisis

A perfect storm of domestic and international uncertainties has pushed the currency toward the all-time low set in mid-1998.

26.03.2025 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand’s PM Survives Parliamentary Vote of No-confidence

The opposition People's Party has accused Paetongtarn Shinawatra of being under the undue influence of her father, ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

26.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Island Building in South China Sea Continuing At ‘Breakneck Pace’

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative estimates that Hanoi has created 641 new acres of land in the disputed Spratly Islands since June.

25.03.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia to Tighten Chip Controls After Pressure From US, Report Says

The Trump administration is investigating the illicit export of restricted Nvidia graphics processing units to China.

25.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Defense Chief to Visit Philippines Ahead of Joint Military Drills

Manila seems set to remain a priority partner for Washington, despite the radical changes introduced by the Trump administration.

24.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Junta Chief to Attend Regional Summit in Bangkok, Report Says

The trip to Thailand for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit would be Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing's first to an ASEAN member state since 2021.

24.03.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Govt Condemns Senator For Saying He Won’t Surrender to ICC

As chief of the Philippine National Police, Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa implemented ex-President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly "war on drugs."

21.03.2025 9

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines Wants to Expand ‘Squad’ Grouping to Include India, South Korea

The informal grouping, established last May, is intended to counter China's assertive behavior in the South China Sea.

20.03.2025 5

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian Parliament Passes Law Expanding Military’s Role in Government

Civil society groups say that the changes are a throwback to the repressive New Order period, when the military dominated civilian affairs.

20.03.2025 6

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesian Finance Minister Denies Resignation Rumors After Market Plunge

The Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite Index plunged more than 7 percent, forcing it to suspend trading for the first time since 2020.

19.03.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Japan to Pay First Visit to Cambodian Naval Base Funded by China

Phnom Penh is eager to demonstrate that Ream Naval Base will be open to foreign navies, though Western suspicions are likely to persist.

19.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia Willing to Use Force to Defend Sovereignty Over Temple, PM Says

The disagreement bears a close similarity to the dispute over Preah Vihear temple, which led to armed clashes during 2008-2011.

18.03.2025 9

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Cambodia’s Hun Sen, Myanmar Junta Celebrate Closure of US-Funded Media Outlets

The U.S.-funded broadcasters Radio Free Asia and Voice of America have long been a thorn in the side of the region's repressive governments.

18.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Former Philippine President Duterte Appears at First ICC Hearing Since Extradition

The ex-leader's defense attorney told the court that his arrest on March 11 was tantamount to an "abduction."

17.03.2025 9

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US Imposes Visa Restrictions on Thai Officials Over Uyghur Deportation

The Thai authorities deported 40 Uyghur asylum seekers to China in a secretive operation in late February.

17.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Ex-Philippine President Admits ‘Responsibility’ For Anti-drug Campaign

Rodrigo Duterte is set to appear before the International Criminal Court for the first time today, following his extradition to The Hague earlier this...

14.03.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar’s Economy Shrank 2 Percent in Year to March, Report Says

With the civil war showing no sign of ending, the country's economic prospects will remain "bleak" in 2025-26.

14.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Singapore, Vietnam Announce Anticipated Diplomatic Upgrade

The upgrade came three days after Vietnam similarly elevated Indonesia to the highest tier in its diplomatic hierarchy.

13.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Pressure Builds on Philippines to Rejoin International Criminal Court

Rodrigo Duterte, who was this week arrested and extradited to the ICC, withdrew Manila from the court's founding statute in 2019.

13.03.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia’s Government Dilutes Proposed Changes to Military Law

The shift follows widespread concerns that President Prabowo Subianto is seeking to reinstate the Suharto-era doctrine of "dual function."

12.03.2025 9

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Former Philippine President Duterte Flown to The Hague After Arrest

The International Criminal Court accuses the ex-leader of orchestrating crimes of humanity as part of his violent "war on drugs" campaign.

12.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Raises Indonesia to Highest Diplomatic Tier, Singapore to Follow

Over the past three years, the Vietnamese government has established Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with nine nations.

11.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippine Police Arrest Former President Duterte at ICC’s Request

The ex-leader's arrest is the latest outcome of the bitter political feud between the Marcos and Duterte families.

11.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Uyghur Deportation Was Prompted by Fears of China Retaliation, Thailand Admits

The remarks confirm reports that the government had received offers from several nations to resettle the asylum seekers prior to their deportation.

07.03.2025 30

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Junta Chief Lands in Belarus After Russia Visit

Sanctioned and isolated by the West, the two nations are moving to develop their currently negligible trade and investment ties.

07.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Had Offers to Resettle Uyghurs Before Deportation, Report Says

The government chose not to send the asylum seekers to a third country in order to avoid retaliation from Beijing, diplomats and opposition lawmakers...

06.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Charges 100 For Involvement in Online Fraud Operations

The group were among 119 Thai nationals detained during a raid in the Cambodian border town of Poipet last week.

06.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

In Moscow Meeting, Myanmar Junta Chief Praises ‘King’ Putin

Isolated and sanctioned by the West, the two nations continue to move into closer diplomatic and strategic alignment.

05.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

European Leaders Set to Bolster Ties With Vietnam, Report Says

As the Trump administration flirts with a global trade war, the areas of shared interest between the EU and ASEAN are becoming ever more clear.

05.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Philippines Confident on US Alliance Despite Trump Disruptions, Ambassador Says

There are early signs that the country's relations with the U.S. will survive the ongoing ructions in Washington, D.C.

04.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thailand Considers Building Wall on Cambodian Border to Halt Scammers

Thai officials say that scamming syndicates displaced by crackdowns in eastern Myanmar are relocating to the Thailand-Cambodia border area.

04.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Junta Chief to Meet with Vladimir Putin on Russia Trip

Facing Western sanctions and opprobrium, Naypyidaw and Moscow have strengthened their cooperation in both the economic and security spheres.

03.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

US, Japan Issue Travel Alerts for Thailand After Uyghur Deportation

The two governments have warned their nationals about possible retaliatory attacks, following the Erawan Shrine bombing in 2015.

03.03.2025 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Leading Vietnamese Scholar and Journalist Imprisoned for Critical Facebook Posts

Truong Huy San, who is better known by the pen name Huy Duc, was convicted of "abusing democratic freedoms."

28.02.2025 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio