Matt Wheeler
@mzwheeler.bsky.social
Born in Baltimore, based in Bangkok. Senior Analyst, South East Asia, International Crisis Group
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
Who is Keiichi Ichikawa, Takaichi’s new national security adviser? Ichikawa is known as the mastermind behind the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” initiative (FOIP), the centerpiece of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s strategy for security and diplomacy.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...
Who is Keiichi Ichikawa, Takaichi’s new national security adviser?
Ichikawa is expected to play a leading role in the prime minister’s ambitious endeavors on the diplomatic and security front.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 15, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Who is Keiichi Ichikawa, Takaichi’s new national security adviser? Ichikawa is known as the mastermind behind the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” initiative (FOIP), the centerpiece of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s strategy for security and diplomacy.
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...
www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
An almost unbelievable story from Jakarta overnight where a student is alleged to have planted a bomb at a school after suffering bullying. Many young students hospitalised. A lot of conflicting reports still, but great coverage from CNA/wires
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/jakarta...
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/jakarta...
Explosion at mosque in Jakarta injures 55 people, teen suspect identified
The suspected perpetrator is about 17 years old and currently undergoing surgery, said deputy house speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.
www.channelnewsasia.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:24 AM
An almost unbelievable story from Jakarta overnight where a student is alleged to have planted a bomb at a school after suffering bullying. Many young students hospitalised. A lot of conflicting reports still, but great coverage from CNA/wires
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/jakarta...
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/jakarta...
Feeling confident? Think again — you’re probably wrong. www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
Feeling confident? Think again — you’re probably wrong.
A study finds that overconfidence by many national security experts “was so extreme that it essentially canceled out the knowledge that these individuals possessed.”
www.japantimes.co.jp
October 29, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Feeling confident? Think again — you’re probably wrong. www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
NEW from @crisisgroup.org:
Using military force to attempt regime change in Caracas would be folly.
www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Using military force to attempt regime change in Caracas would be folly.
www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Beware the Slide Toward Regime Change in Venezuela | International Crisis Group
The Trump administration is dispatching military assets to the Caribbean and sinking boats it claims ferry drugs. While it appears the deployment is part of a plan to depose Venezuelan President Nicól...
www.crisisgroup.org
October 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
NEW from @crisisgroup.org:
Using military force to attempt regime change in Caracas would be folly.
www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Using military force to attempt regime change in Caracas would be folly.
www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
Maybe young Japanese just really are right wing. Takaichi's support among respondents 18-39 in Yomiuri's new poll is 80% (!). Ishiba's was 15% last month.
www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/yor...
www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/yor...
高市内閣で「若年層」の支持急増、１８～３９歳は石破内閣の１５％から８０％に…読売世論調査
【読売新聞】 読売新聞社が２１～２２日に行った緊急全国世論調査で、高市内閣の支持率を石破内閣と比較すると、若年層の支持が大幅に上昇していることが分かった。 高市内閣を「支持する」と回答した人の割合を年代別にみると、１８～３９歳が８０
www.yomiuri.co.jp
October 23, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Maybe young Japanese just really are right wing. Takaichi's support among respondents 18-39 in Yomiuri's new poll is 80% (!). Ishiba's was 15% last month.
www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/yor...
www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/yor...
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
The Karen Human Rights Group is looking for an Advocacy Research Fellow for a six-month period (with possibility of extension). We expect the candidate to start working on 2nd January 2026. This position is based in Thailand.
See the full Job Description: shorturl.at/qr4UL
See the full Job Description: shorturl.at/qr4UL
October 23, 2025 at 2:40 AM
The Karen Human Rights Group is looking for an Advocacy Research Fellow for a six-month period (with possibility of extension). We expect the candidate to start working on 2nd January 2026. This position is based in Thailand.
See the full Job Description: shorturl.at/qr4UL
See the full Job Description: shorturl.at/qr4UL
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
Sanae Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...
Sanae Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister
Takaichi avoided a runoff by rolling to victory in a first round of voting in the Lower House, garnering a majority 237 votes.
www.japantimes.co.jp
October 21, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Sanae Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
My latest story from Cambodia's frontline:
www.ucanews.com/news/a-peace...
#Cambodia #Thailand #Asean #War #Conflict #POWs
www.ucanews.com/news/a-peace...
#Cambodia #Thailand #Asean #War #Conflict #POWs
A peace deal in sight is cold comfort on Cambodia’s frontlines- UCA News
Our correspondent recently toured Cambodia’s frontlines and displacement camps near the Thai border
www.ucanews.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
🎊 30 years ago, @crisisgroup.org was born from the international community’s failure to prevent war in Bosnia.
Last weekend, we returned to Sarajevo - where it all began - for our board meeting, joined by every past president.
Here’s to the next 30 years of peacebuilding.
Last weekend, we returned to Sarajevo - where it all began - for our board meeting, joined by every past president.
Here’s to the next 30 years of peacebuilding.
October 9, 2025 at 11:10 AM
🎊 30 years ago, @crisisgroup.org was born from the international community’s failure to prevent war in Bosnia.
Last weekend, we returned to Sarajevo - where it all began - for our board meeting, joined by every past president.
Here’s to the next 30 years of peacebuilding.
Last weekend, we returned to Sarajevo - where it all began - for our board meeting, joined by every past president.
Here’s to the next 30 years of peacebuilding.
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
From Rappler liveblog, sorry! www.rappler.com/philippines/...
LIVE UPDATES: Magnitude 7.4 Davao Oriental earthquake
Bookmark this page for the latest news in the aftermath of the earthquake
www.rappler.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:20 AM
From Rappler liveblog, sorry! www.rappler.com/philippines/...
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
As I wrote in April, the Trump administration is repurposing the “war on terror” framing against a new set of supposed enemies—both foreign and domestic.
DHS Secretary lumping together Antifa, MS-13, & TdA with ISIS.
www.crisisgroup.org/united-state...
DHS Secretary lumping together Antifa, MS-13, & TdA with ISIS.
www.crisisgroup.org/united-state...
October 9, 2025 at 3:38 AM
As I wrote in April, the Trump administration is repurposing the “war on terror” framing against a new set of supposed enemies—both foreign and domestic.
DHS Secretary lumping together Antifa, MS-13, & TdA with ISIS.
www.crisisgroup.org/united-state...
DHS Secretary lumping together Antifa, MS-13, & TdA with ISIS.
www.crisisgroup.org/united-state...
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
The emeritus dean of Japan politics studies in the U.S. has thoughts about Takaichi:
Gerald Curtis: Takaichi victory hastens LDP's collapse; 'not if, when'
Veteran Japan watcher worried about what comes after the 'most boring election'
asia.nikkei.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:13 AM
The emeritus dean of Japan politics studies in the U.S. has thoughts about Takaichi:
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
The contents of the nearly 100-year-old envelope opened earlier this month contained first Czechoslovak president Tomas Masaryk's thoughts on his approaching death and final messages to his country, Robert Coalson reports for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/first-czec...
First Czechoslovak president’s message unsealed after 90 years
As fascism was engulfing Central Europe, Tomas Masaryk urged his country to defend his work establishing independence.
compass.icwa.org
September 30, 2025 at 8:15 AM
The contents of the nearly 100-year-old envelope opened earlier this month contained first Czechoslovak president Tomas Masaryk's thoughts on his approaching death and final messages to his country, Robert Coalson reports for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/first-czec...
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
Thai Lawyers for human rights have kicked off their "Class of 2020" interview series in which they talk to young people from the 2020 protest movement about their reflections. This one is with a student from Bad Student, who now lives in Vancouver.
เบญจมาภรณ์ นิวาส : จากแวนคูเวอร์ ถึงกรุงเทพฯ | ศูนย์ทนายความเพื่อสิทธิมนุษยชน
Class of 2020 EP.1 ชีวิตหลังม็อบของ 3 เยาวชนรุ่น 2563
tlhr2014.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Thai Lawyers for human rights have kicked off their "Class of 2020" interview series in which they talk to young people from the 2020 protest movement about their reflections. This one is with a student from Bad Student, who now lives in Vancouver.
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
“Criticism is practically treason.” Bill Mauldin, 1969.
September 19, 2025 at 1:26 PM
“Criticism is practically treason.” Bill Mauldin, 1969.
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
Next week, New York will become the stage for the UN General Assembly. But what is it, and what is likely to happen?
Our expert, @mayaungar.bsky.social, explains #UNGA2025. ⬇️
Our expert, @mayaungar.bsky.social, explains #UNGA2025. ⬇️
September 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Next week, New York will become the stage for the UN General Assembly. But what is it, and what is likely to happen?
Our expert, @mayaungar.bsky.social, explains #UNGA2025. ⬇️
Our expert, @mayaungar.bsky.social, explains #UNGA2025. ⬇️
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
As ICWA marks its centenary this year, we’re looking back at the writing & lives of our fellows over the past 100 years. In this 1922 dispatch on Compass, our first fellow John O. Crane tours the countryside with Tomas Masaryk, Czechoslovakia's first president: compass.icwa.org/p/icwa100-cz...
ICWA@100: Czechoslovakia’s first president tours the countryside
An excerpt from a 1922 report by John O. Crane, first fellow of the Institute of Current World Affairs.
compass.icwa.org
September 3, 2025 at 7:28 AM
As ICWA marks its centenary this year, we’re looking back at the writing & lives of our fellows over the past 100 years. In this 1922 dispatch on Compass, our first fellow John O. Crane tours the countryside with Tomas Masaryk, Czechoslovakia's first president: compass.icwa.org/p/icwa100-cz...
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
“Governments around the world copying Spain’s wealth tax on the super-rich could raise more than $2tn (£1.5tn), according to campaigners calling for the money to help finance the climate transition.”
A wealth tax could raise 1.5 trillion a year. Read again trillion, not billion.
A #wealthtax is a matter of justice but also pragmatism and end austerity politics.
www.theguardian.com/news/article...
A #wealthtax is a matter of justice but also pragmatism and end austerity politics.
www.theguardian.com/news/article...
Wealth tax on super-rich could raise £1.5tn globally, campaigners say
The Tax Justice Network said trillions could be raised with a ‘featherlight’ tax on the 0.5% of richest households, copying a current Spanish tax
www.theguardian.com
July 11, 2025 at 9:20 AM
“Governments around the world copying Spain’s wealth tax on the super-rich could raise more than $2tn (£1.5tn), according to campaigners calling for the money to help finance the climate transition.”
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
I wrote about the judiciary, its violence and political imprisonment in Thailand for @us.theconversation.com —
Thailand’s judiciary is flexing its muscles, but away from PM’s plight, dozens of activists are at the mercy of capricious courts
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office. Meanwhile, leading activists languish behind bars on ‘lèse majesté’ offenses.
theconversation.com
July 8, 2025 at 12:44 AM
I wrote about the judiciary, its violence and political imprisonment in Thailand for @us.theconversation.com —
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
Tensions soar between Thailand and Cambodia as nationalist fervour and a political fracas fuels a longstanding border dispute.
Really great explainer ⬇️ from @mzwheeler.bsky.social who unpacks how the bitter feud is endangering the Thai government’s future.
www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-e...
Really great explainer ⬇️ from @mzwheeler.bsky.social who unpacks how the bitter feud is endangering the Thai government’s future.
www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-e...
Border Dispute with Cambodia Sparks Political Disarray in Thailand | International Crisis Group
Tensions have soared between the two South East Asian nations as nationalist fervour and a political fracas fuel a longstanding border dispute. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Matt Wheeler assesses h...
www.crisisgroup.org
July 5, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Tensions soar between Thailand and Cambodia as nationalist fervour and a political fracas fuels a longstanding border dispute.
Really great explainer ⬇️ from @mzwheeler.bsky.social who unpacks how the bitter feud is endangering the Thai government’s future.
www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-e...
Really great explainer ⬇️ from @mzwheeler.bsky.social who unpacks how the bitter feud is endangering the Thai government’s future.
www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-e...
Reposted by Matt Wheeler
⚡️ Russia seeks to involve Laos in war against Ukraine, military intelligence claims.
Moscow is reportedly organizing the deployment of a combined unit of military engineers from the Lao People's Armed Forces to Russia's Kursk Oblast, allegedly to help with demining operations.
Moscow is reportedly organizing the deployment of a combined unit of military engineers from the Lao People's Armed Forces to Russia's Kursk Oblast, allegedly to help with demining operations.
Russia seeks to involve Laos in war against Ukraine, military intelligence claims
Moscow is organizing the deployment of a combined unit of military engineers from the Lao People's Armed Forces to Russia's Kursk Oblast, allegedly to help with demining operations, Ukraine's military...
kyivindependent.com
July 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM
⚡️ Russia seeks to involve Laos in war against Ukraine, military intelligence claims.
Moscow is reportedly organizing the deployment of a combined unit of military engineers from the Lao People's Armed Forces to Russia's Kursk Oblast, allegedly to help with demining operations.
Moscow is reportedly organizing the deployment of a combined unit of military engineers from the Lao People's Armed Forces to Russia's Kursk Oblast, allegedly to help with demining operations.