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....

Dams & Debt put Laos on Thin Ice

Published on Sep 19, 2020 by Luke Hunt

For almost a decade, Laos has been warned that its extravagant spending spree on infrastructure carried enormous financial risks that threatened to undermine its sovereignty and efforts to raise living standards among the poor. Those warnings fell on deaf ears as Vientiane — hell-bent on becoming the “Battery of Asia” — borrowed heavily and built hydropower dams to sell electricity into neighboring countries, plus highways, bridges and railways. It was an unfathomable wish list. Read more. .

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....

Honour Killing in Indonesia

Published on Jun 21, 2020 by Luke Hunt

The tragic murder of a 16-year-old schoolgirl will sorely test the judiciary in Indonesia, where Islamic hardliners are increasing their grip on a moderate society deeply upset by what has been described as the country’s first honor killing. Brothers Rahman and Surianto are facing the death penalty for hacking and beating to death their sister Rosmini binte Darwis on May 9 with a log and a machete as her family watched the murder in their home. Their case is expected to be heard early next month. Read more click here. .

Reclaiming Angkor

Published on Jun 15, 2020 by Luke Hunt

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA – The new coronavirus has left its mark on Angkor Wat, the world’s top tourist attraction. Foreign visitors are rare, the elephants are being rehoused and local businesses have gone bankrupt, but for Cambodians it’s a chance to reclaim their heritage. Authorities say the number of paying visitors have been measured by the dozens on any given day and all are among those who remained in the country after the coronavirus began crossing borders in late January, forcing lockdowns around the world and ending international travel. Read more from VoA. .