Philippine Navy Adds to Regional Arms Build-Up

Published on Jan 24, 2014 by Luke Hunt

The Philippine navy hopes to add two more warships to its fleet as Southeast Asian countries continue to expand their militaries in response to the Chinese government’s increasingly assertive territorial ambitions in the South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Missing Sombath Still Dogging Laos

Published on Dec 18, 2013 by Luke Hunt

Just over a year ago, community development worker Sombath Somphone was plucked from the streets of Vientiane by police. He has not been heard of since, despite overwhelming evidence linking his disappearance to the government and its dictatorial internal security apparatus.But even the Laos government has its friends. One spin doctor went so far as to describe Sombath’s disappearance as a “piffling affair,” which somehow seemed like not so much of a big deal when compared with the extraordinary renditions of the United States.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

People Smugglers Feel the Pinch

Published on Dec 11, 2013 by Luke Hunt

Despite the spat between Indonesia and Australia over spying allegations and accusations that Jakarta could do more to halt illegal immigration flows, a recent crackdown on people smuggling initiated by the recently elected conservative government in Australia has already had a dramatic impact.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Maid Wars Continue to Simmer

Published on Dec 10, 2013 by Luke Hunt

Sending women abroad to work as cheap labor in more affluent societies has become a major bone of contention between Southeast Asian countries in recent years. While legal, the practice often ranks not that far above human trafficking.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Naypyidaw Rejects UN Appeal

Published on Nov 24, 2013 by Luke Hunt

The Myanmar government has lived up to expectations and rejected an appeal by the United Nations to grant citizenship to its stateless Muslim Rohingya population, who the government insists are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..