China's White Paper
Published on Feb 2, 2021 by Luke Hunt
A podcast with academic Dr. Bradley Murg who has covered China for more than two decades and its impact across the region, particularly the Greater Mekong Subregion.In this podcast, he chats with Luke Hunt about China’s latest White Paper and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its foreign policies within Southeast Asia, in particular the Mekong River and downstream countries, like Cambodia.Murg’s work focuses on Chinese aid and investment policy in Southeast Asia; the political economy of foreign aid; and the politics of the Greater Mekong Sub-region as a whole. Listen here..
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Laos Firmly in China's Orbit
Published on Dec 12, 2020 by Luke Hunt
Laos is pushing ahead with four dams across the mainstream of the Mekong River, despite an escalating chorus of objections and crippling debt to Chinese state banks which resulted in the loss of control over its electricity grid to China.For almost two decades scientists and environmentalists have said Laos’ mega dam designs could irreversibly damage fish stocks, including endangered mammals like the Irrawaddy dolphin, and risked bankrupting the country. Read more here..
United States 2020 Elections
Published on Nov 22, 2020 by Luke Hunt
A list of stories written by Luke Hunt regarding the November 3 2020 elections in the United States.A Taliban endorsement worthy of our timesOf the few re-election endorsements enjoyed by Donald Trump, a double thumbs up from the Taliban was the most appropriate. After all, the US President gifted the hardline fundamentalist militia what its leaders crave most — fewer American troops, a promise to withdraw from Afghanistan and talks, lots of talks. Read more.Southeast Asia to benefit if Biden wins US electionFour years of the Trump administration have soured US relations with Southeast Asia, which he largely ignored, dispatching his low-level minions when it suited his trade war with China designed to please his white working-class base. Read more.Joe....
Cambodian Leadership
Published on Jun 29, 2020 by Luke Hunt
PHNOM PENH – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has groomed his eldest son as a potential successor ever since that son, Hun Manet, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point almost 20 years ago, and is confidently predicting his ruling Cambodian People’s Party will remain in power for another 100 years. Analysts say, though, that that rise is far from certain and Lieutenant General Hun Manet – who also heads the army – will have to negotiate the CPP politburo, factionalism, a fickle public and China to win enough support to govern this one-party state. Even Hun Sen, the region’s longest-serving leader, has tempered recent speculation that the top job was his son’s for the taking, saying there....
Wrap: ASEAN & Russian Intentions
Published on Jan 19, 2020 by Luke Hunt
An insight into the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their relationship with foreign powers big and small.Follow the links:Russia Looks EastRussia Touts Arms Across Southeast Asia.
