Cambodians, Rightly, Dig In Heels

Published on Feb 19, 2011 by Luke Hunt

Soldiers mark the entrance to Preah Viehear. Photo by Luke Hunt Clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces over a temple are a sign of what’s to come if Thailand tries to take it, says Michael Hayes in The Diplomat. When I was publisher and editor-in-chief of the Phnom Penh Post I was once sued by then-Second Prime Minister Hun Sen. I was accused of spreading disinformation and trying to create political instability and, over the years, several Cambodian government officials accused me and my newspaper of attempting to ‘destroy the nation.’ So one thing I’ve never been called is the Cambodian government’s spin doctor. But on the issue of the current border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand surrounding Wat Preah....

Weekly News Summary – February 18

Published on Feb 18, 2011 by Luke Hunt

A look at the headlines making news this week from around South-east Asia  and a little bit beyond. ASIAWATCH — As China overtook Japan and became the world’s second biggest economy, the worst drought in the nation’s history continued to parch large portions of the country that have had no rain since October, leaving many short of drinking water and the winter wheat harvest at risk. High food prices throughout the region continued to affect political machinations, with Indonesia forced to purchase 400,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam and East Timorese opposition parties calling for an investigation because “the issue of rice prices is a serious one to raise because everyone has been shouting about it.” The Indian government lifted....

An American Mosque in Cambodia

Published on Feb 18, 2011 by Luke Hunt

Cambodia is a rare bright spot in the fight against Islamic radicalism. Thank an unusual combination of a local imam and US soft power. Luke Hunt reports for The Diplomat as the 10-year anniversary for the War on Terror approaches. .

Abu Bakar Bashir: Valentine’s Day Darling

Published on Feb 14, 2011 by Luke Hunt

Abu Bakar Bashir Legendary war correspondent Sheikh Ya’erbuti has devoted this year’s Darling of the Year Award to Jemaah Islamiyah’s spiritual leader Abu Bakar Bashir. “Bashir’s ability to avoid the death penalty and force journalists to use the word alleged when name dropping him with terrorist activities makes this wily 72-year-old cleric a no brainer for this year’s award,” said Ya’erbuti. Bashir is back before the courts on seven counts of terrorism related to a paramilitary training camp in Aceh and he could still get the death penalty if found guilty, which may well wipe the smile of the faces of his supporters at next year’s awards. But Bashir’s lawyer will argue that many of the indictments were lies, perhaps....

Weekly News Summary – February 11

Published on Feb 11, 2011 by Luke Hunt

A looks at the headlines making news this week from around South-east Asia  and a little bit beyond. ASIAWATCH — In Indonesia, crowds screamed “God is great” as they called for the death of blasphemers and vandalized churches. A lynch mob was filmed clubbing, stoning and then killing three members of a minority sect in front of police, before laughing at their limp, shattered bodies. The US Ambassador issued a statement deploring the religious violence, just three months after President Obama lauded the secular democracy’s “spirit of religious tolerance.” The 3,000 police deployed during the trial of Islamic cleric and accused terrorist mastermind Abu Bakar Ba’asyir will be authorized to use live ammunition to control unrest. In Papua New Guinea,....