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Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio is Southeast Asia editor at The Diplomat. 

In 2008, he began his career as a reporter at The Phnom Penh Post in Cambodia, and has since traveled and reported extensively across the 10 nations of ASEAN. Sebastian’s writing has appeared in leading publications including Foreign Affairs, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and The New York Times, The Diplomat, and Nikkei Asian Review, among many others. He is the author of “Hun Sen’s Cambodia” (Yale, 2014), a path-breaking examination of Cambodia since the fall of the Khmer Rouge, and “In the Dragon’s Shadow: Southeast Asia in the Chinese Century (Yale, 2020). 

Alongside his journalistic work, Sebastian has also consulted for a wide variety of economic risk firms and non-government organizations, and is quoted frequently in the international media on political developments in Southeast Asia. Sebastian holds a B.A. and Master’s degree in international politics from The University of Melbourne. He currently lives in Adelaide.

You can get in touch with Sebastian via Twitter, Facebook, or email.

Posts by Sebastian Strangio
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January 17, 2024

China Warns Philippines Over President Marcos’ Taiwan Remarks

By Sebastian Strangio
The Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed that the Philippine leader's message of congratulation to Lai Ching-te was "a serious violation of the One China principle."
January 16, 2024

Philippine President Congratulates Lai Ching-te on Election as Taiwan’s President

By Sebastian Strangio
Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s statement, which is sure to irk Beijing, reflects Manila's recent moves toward greater unofficial engagement with Taipei.

January 16, 2024

Philippines to Upgrade South China Sea Outposts, Military Chief Says

By Sebastian Strangio
Desalination machines and communications upgrades are slated for the nine features that Manila occupies in the contested waterway.

January 15, 2024

Indonesian President Discusses Maritime Tensions, Economy on Vietnam Trip

By Sebastian Strangio
President Joko Widodo's state visit came in the middle of a Southeast Asian tour that also involved stops in the Philippines and Brunei.

January 15, 2024

Myanmar Military Breaks China-Brokered Ceasefire, Resistance Groups Say

By Sebastian Strangio
The collapse of the agreement brokered in Kunming on Friday demonstrates the limits of Chinese influence in northern Myanmar.
January 12, 2024

Thailand Extends Hospital Stay of Jailed Former PM Thaksin

By Sebastian Strangio
The former leader has been in hospital since returning from self-exile and beginning a prison term for abuse of power in August.

January 12, 2024

Malaysia, Singapore Agree to New SEZ to Boost Border Trade

By Sebastian Strangio
The planned SEZ is just one of a range of initiatives designed to tighten the economic integration between the two countries.
January 11, 2024

Security Cooperation Tops Agenda as Marcos and Jokowi Meet in Manila

By Sebastian Strangio
The Philippine leader also raised the case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina migrant worker on death row in Indonesia on drug charges.

January 11, 2024

New ASEAN Envoy on Myanmar Meets Junta Chief on First Mission

By Sebastian Strangio
Alounkeo Kittikhoun is undertaking his first mission to Myanmar after taking up the rotating post at the start of this month.

January 10, 2024

Singapore Says It Will Join US-Led Red Sea Operation

By Sebastian Strangio
The commitment is consistent with the city-state's long commitment to norms and rules supporting unimpeded global trade.

January 10, 2024

Thailand’s Stimulus Program on Schedule for May Launch, PM Says

By Sebastian Strangio
There is still a lack of clarity about the government's plans to take out foreign loans to fund the $14.3 billion scheme.
January 09, 2024

Indonesian Court Acquits Two Prominent Rights Defenders of Defamation

By Sebastian Strangio
Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar were accused of defaming a senior member of President Joko Widodo's cabinet.

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