Under Fire: NGOs Face Increasing Hostility

Published on Jul 3, 2015 by Luke Hunt

In recent decades the ubiquitous NGO has taken up the banner for charities and worthy causes. From the environment and human rights to health, education and animal welfare, nongovernment organizations have championed the dispossessed, winning legions of fans. But in recent years pockets of NGO Land – as some call it – have lost their shine.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

ASEAN’s Refugee Embarrassment

Published on May 17, 2015 by Luke Hunt

The plight of thousands of Rohingya stuck on rickety boats after fleeing their homes in Myanmar is quite possibly the greatest embarrassment ASEAN has ever faced. And the reality is the 10-nation trading bloc is incapable of dealing with the tragedy.Whether it’s Montagnards fleeing Vietnam or Uighurs from China looking for sanctuary, the history of the leaders of ASEAN on this issue has always lived up to the worst of ruthless stereotypes made of “thin skins and thick skulls.”Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

It’s Time ASEAN Took a Good Look at Its Gallows

Published on May 3, 2015 by Luke Hunt

The blowback over Indonesia’s latest decision to execute foreigners – including a four Nigerians,  two Australians, and a Brazilian – will taint the presidency of Joko Widodo and cast a dim light over his factional rival Megawati Sukarnoputri, chair of the ruling PDI-P.The pair are not on good terms, with speculation of a power struggle, and Megawati is prone to reminding Widodo that she is in charge. Hardly a healthy state of affairs for a government bent on handing out execution orders for drug offenses.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Burmese Leaders Outed Over Alleged Land Grabs

Published on Mar 28, 2015 by Luke Hunt

 Swapping military uniforms for business suits has been a long-standing symbol of Myanmar’s half-hearted attempts at normalizing relations with the rest of the world. The catch was how do the generals find social acceptance while legitimizing their wealth at the same time?Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat.

Cambodia: A Tale of Two HIV Outbreaks

Published on Feb 8, 2015 by Luke Hunt

The HIV outbreak in a small village in the Cambodian countryside continues to grow. But the plight of the victims and their families has gone largely ignored with this country’s leaders doing little to help 226 people inflicted so far with the virus that causes AIDS.The international media and NGO workers have also been relatively silent, particularly when compared with the world health response to the Ebola outbreak in Africa where experimental vaccines are going on trial.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..