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Sebastian Strangio

Sebastian Strangio

Foreign Policy

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In Southeast Asia, the Scramble for Energy Is On

With each nation exposed in different ways to global oil markets, the regional impact of the price shock is likely to be significant, but uneven.

previous day 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Malaysia Has Not Informed US of Withdrawal From Trade Deal: Official

The status of the deal has been unclear since the Malaysia's trade minister said that last month's U.S. Supreme Court ruling rendered the agreement...

previous day 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Confusion Reigns After Malaysian Minister Declares US Trade Agreement ‘Null and Void’

If confirmed, Malaysia would become the first country to withdraw from a "reciprocal" trade deal with the Trump administration.

thursday 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Thai Parliament Reconfirms Anutin Charnvirakul as Prime Minister

The 59-year-old now faces the challenge of dealing with the domestic impacts of the oil price shock triggered by the war in Iran.

thursday 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Myanmar Parliament Convenes For First Time Since 2021 Coup

The meeting follows a controversial multi-phase election that was dominated by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party.

17.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Vietnam Asks Japan, South Korea For Help Accessing Crude Oil Supplies

With one of the smallest "petroleum buffers" in the region, the Iran war could hit the Vietnamese economy with particular force.

17.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

New Thai Parliament Convenes Amid Continuing Legal Scrutiny of February 8 Election

The Constitutional Court is set to rule on whether the use of barcodes and QR codes on ballot papers violated constitutional provisions on voter...

16.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

ASEAN Again Calls for Halt to Iran War, Citing Possible ‘Sustained’ Economic Challenges

The bloc's economic ministers warned that a protracted conflict could hinder economic progress and impacting the livelihoods of millions across the...

16.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Major Southeast Asian Economies Targeted by New US Trade Probes

Against the backdrop of the war in Iran, the move is likely to create new points of friction in U.S. relations with the region.

13.03.2026 9

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia and Australia to Expand Security Cooperation to Include Japan, Papua New Guinea

The announcement follows the signing of a major security agreement between Jakarta and Canberra last month.

13.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Announces Social Media Ban For Children Under 16

From March 28, young Indonesians will be blocked from having accounts on “high-risk” digital platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

10.03.2026 20

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

Indonesia Says It Has Finalized BrahMos Missile Purchase From India

The country will become the second Southeast Asian nation to acquire the powerful Indo-Russian weapons system, after the Philippines.

10.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio

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.

06.03.2026 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...

06.03.2026 20

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.

05.03.2026 10

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.

05.03.2026 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 5

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 10

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 10

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 10

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 20

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 8

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 20

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 40

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 6

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 8

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 7

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 9

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 10

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 8

The Diplomat

Sebastian Strangio