Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Jul 23

Never fun to come back from leave, but holding the new book is kind of special. www.rienner.com/title/The_Vi...

Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Jul 14

Last week on @straighttalksea.bsky.social, I had the pleasure of speaking to Hanh Nguyen of ANU on #Vietnam’s ambitious administrative reforms. Please join us for an insightful conversation on the reforms and their implications.
lnkd.in/gt-EkqCv
Apple: bit.ly/44Ba0pE
Spotify: bit.ly/4eynK9e

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

lnkd.in

Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Jul 3

I am pleased to announce that my book on the Vietnamese military is finally out. It's been a long road. Thanks to all who have helped and encouraged me along the way for what was originally written as an in-house primer for my
National War College students.
www.rienner.com/title/The_Vi...

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Jul 1

Things are happening very fast in #Thailand with PM Paetongtarn’s suspension. For in depth analysis of what it all means, I had the chance to speak to Former MFP/PP MP Kunthida Rungruenkiat.
lnkd.in/gPCe_9Cu
Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/3I8oTbw
Spotify: bit.ly/4lj2PcM

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

lnkd.in

Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · May 9

This is so heartbreaking. @RFABurmese goes dark today. Their journalists have displayed so much courage over the years. There are few countries more in need of @RadioFreeAsia’s reporting. This is strategic malpractice.

rfa.org/english/myan...

Highlights of RFA Burmese reporting

RFA has covered the rollercoaster of Myanmar’s modern history for an audience thirsty for independent news.

rfa.org

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · May 8

On this week's Straight Talk Southeast Asia, a discussion with Prof. Ronald Holmes on why the #Philippine elections matter, the key issues, & how they could (re)shape the national political landscape.
lnkd.in/dmtzN28GApple
Podcasts: apple.co/4d3YHdp
spoti.fi/4jY1es2

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · May 6

Positive development. And in the same day, the Department of Justice disbanded its office that prosecuted transnational criminal organizations. Any who. www.rfa.org/english/myan...

US blacklists Myanmar warlord and ethnic army linked to scam centers

Treasury describes Karen National Army leader Saw Chit Thu as “key enabler of scam operations in the region.”

www.rfa.org

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · May 2

How do you fight an adversary that is engaged in multi-domain political warfare without the information instrument? Without ⁦‪@RadioFreeAsia‬⁩, we are ceding this space to China throughout Asia. This is an act of strategic malpractice. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/o... via @NYTOpinion

Opinion | Trump Is Silencing Radio Free Asia. Now China Doesn’t Have To.

The U.S. government’s dismantling of Radio Free Asia means giving Beijing’s propaganda free rein.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Mark S. Cogan @markscogan.bsky.social · Apr 30

An excellent piece by Miranda Jeyaretham in #TIME on the US betrayal of #Vietnam under #Trump. Well written and a stunning reminder of our epic foreign policy stupidity. This one will sting for quite some time.

time.com/7281441/viet...

How Trump Is Undermining U.S.-Vietnam Postwar Reconciliation

Five decades after the fall of Saigon, America’s legacy and relationship with Vietnam are now mired in uncertainty.

time.com

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Max Walden @maxwalden.bsky.social · Apr 30

Amnesty International criticized Indonesia’s government Tuesday, saying it suppresses free speech with crackdowns on public protests, targets journalists and rights activists and uses spyware against dissidents. apnews.com/article/indo...

Amnesty says Indonesia suppresses free speech with crackdowns on public protests

Amnesty International has criticized Indonesia’s government, saying it suppresses free speech with crackdowns on public protests, targets journalists and rights activists and uses spyware against diss...

apnews.com

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 29

#Singapore's GE is more than a test of the popularity of PM Lawrence Wong & PAP's 4G leadership. New candidates & patterns of voter engagement will shape both PAP & opposition. @dririshsea speaks with Dr Elvin Ong in this election primer.
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4iBX5Jd
Spotify: spoti.fi/432bUA5

Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 28

Dr. Khoo Ying-hooi discussed Xi’s visit to Malaysia & how the regional order is changing in response to the Trump Administration’s tariff threats. She concluded by sharing her thoughts on how ASEAN is engaging Myanmar post-earthquake. Do listen.
Apple: apple.co/4jGRlyP
Spotify: spoti.fi/4lEngBL

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 24

Please join Nyein Nyein Thant Aung and me in an hour to discuss Jets and Drones: Chinese Military assistance to Myanmar's junta. www.stimson.org/event/china-...

Fighter Jets and Drones: Is China's Military Aid to the Myanmar Junta Making a Difference? • Stimson Center

While Chinese weapons reinforce the junta's power, they may not be enough to tip the scale in the ongoing civil war. Insurgency expert Zachary Abuza and Indo-Pacific security scholar Nyein Nyein Thant...

www.stimson.org

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Milk Tea Alliance Calendar @mtacalendar.bsky.social · Apr 21

New event!
📆24th April
🕘9am Eastern

Join @nyeinnta.bsky.social @zachabuza.bsky.social online for discussion "Fighter Jets and Drones: Is China’s Military Aid to the Myanmar Junta Making a Difference?"

Details & Reg:
www.stimson.org/event/china-...

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 23

Spent much of today plowing through this new @unodc.bsky.social report on Southeast Asia’s scam centers and the growing financial marketplace that enables their money laundering. Do read. www.unodc.org/roseap/uploa...

www.unodc.org

Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 23

Absolutely shortsighted. Reconciliation is the foundation for all other security cooperation that we want with #Vietnam. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/w...

U.S. Tells Its Diplomats in Vietnam to Avoid War Anniversary Events

The reversal adds another Trump administration blow to decades of reconciliation efforts.

www.nytimes.com

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 22

A federal judge has ordered the AGM to rehire all RadioFreeAsia and VOANews staff. But will the administration comply in a timely enough manner? Unilaterally ceding the information space to China and other malign actors is strategic malpractice. www.cbsnews.com/news/federal...

Federal judge orders Trump administration to rehire all Voice of America and Radio Free Asia staff

Last month, the Trump administration placed Voice of America contractors and employees on leave.

www.cbsnews.com

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Nyein Nyein Thant Aung @nyeinnta.bsky.social · Apr 10

I will be discussing Beijing’s military support to the #Myanmar #junta, highlighting the transfer of #dualitems.
Join the webinar on the 24th of April (Thursday) - 9 am ET/ 1 pm GMT / 2 pm CET/ 8 pm Indochina

www.stimson.org/event/china-...

Fighter Jets and Drones: Is China's Military Aid to the Myanmar Junta Making a Difference? • Stimson Center

While Chinese weapons reinforce the junta's power, they may not be enough to tip the scale in the ongoing civil war. Insurgency expert Zachary Abuza and Indo-Pacific security scholar Nyein Nyein Thant...

www.stimson.org

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 18

This is so outrageous and such a total moral failing. But here we are. www.rfa.org/english/abou...

RFA forced to furlough at-risk visa holders

Deportation threat looms due to halted Congressional funds

www.rfa.org

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 16

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge’s takeover of Phnom Penh and the start of Year Zero. 1.5 million #Cambodians perished in 3.5 years. Unusually tone deaf for Chinese President Xi Jinping to arrive there on this day.

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 16

Excellent piece by Gregory Raymond. While China provides authoritarian cover, it’s the anti-democratic govts of SEAsia, who are actively collaborating, facilitating cross border repression. Transnational criminals effectively stabilize authoritarian politics. www.newmandala.org/making-mainl...

Making Mainland Southeast Asia safe for autocracy - New Mandala

How regional elites built an “authoritarian security community”

www.newmandala.org

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 16

Appeasing the Myanmar Junta in the Face of Atrocity. A scathing assessment ahead of #Malaysian PM Anwar’s meeting with MAH, the latest in attempts to normalize the junta. “This is not diplomacy—it is complicity.” www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/gues...

Guest Column | Appeasing the Myanmar Junta in the Face of Atrocity

Anwar, ASEAN and Myanmar’s neighbors are getting it wrong.

www.irrawaddy.com

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Special Advisory Council for Myanmar @special-council.bsky.social · Apr 16

The NUG, EROs, CSOs & others express "grave concern" at #ASEAN leaders' upcoming meeting w/ Min Aung Hlaing in BKK following #Myanmar #earthquakes

Joint call for aid not to be funnelled through junta, instead it should be directed to all relevant stakeholders, incl areas administered by NUG & EROs.

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 7

Pleased to share my thoughts on #Vietnam’s proactive response to the Trump Tariffs, including To Lam’s call to the president, tariff cuts, & dispatch of the DPM to DC this week. They get the transactional purpose of the economically self-defeating tariffs. www.scmp.com/news/asia/so...

Trump and Vietnam’s leader To Lam closer to tariff deal after ‘productive’ call

The US president says he spoke with Vietnamese leader To Lam, who is seeking to avoid punishing 46 per cent duties.

www.scmp.com

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · Apr 7

“At least 84 U.S. Agency for Global Media, or USAGM, journalists in the United States on work visas could face deportation, including at least 23 ‘at serious risk of being immediately arrested upon arrival and potentially imprisoned,’”

For shame.

apnews.com/article/radi...

Foreign journalists at US-backed media fear being sent to repressive homelands after Trump's cuts

Reporters and human rights groups say the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Global Media have put dozens of journalists at risk, especially those who defied authoritarian...

apnews.com

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