Hunter Marston
@hmarston.bsky.social
PhD, IR @anubellschool.bsky.social. Hedging, SE Asia, great power competition, #Myanmar. Adjunct Fellow @seasia.csis.org. Associate @9Dashline.com. Ultra runner. Father.
Pinned
Trump Is Alienating Southeast Asia
Tariffs and inattention have pushed regional states toward China.
foreignpolicy.com
I argue @foreignpolicy.com that despite President Trump’s recent trip to Kuala Lumpur for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the administration should put in place key Asia personnel & develop a coherent regional strategy to reverse declining US influence: foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/07/c...
Reposted by Hunter Marston
“Despite the apparent bonhomie and smoothness of the president’s trip overall, regional leaders remain anxious about the negative impact US tariffs are having on their countries’ economic growth prospects.” My latest @9dashline.com: www.9dashline.com/article/desp...
9DASHLINE — Despite Trump’s red carpet visit, Washington holds a weak hand in Southeast Asia
Written by Dr. Hunter Marston. With the Trump administration fixated on bilateral trade deals with individual countries, rather than the large multilateral trade deals that have shaped the region’s ec...
www.9dashline.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:52 PM
“Despite the apparent bonhomie and smoothness of the president’s trip overall, regional leaders remain anxious about the negative impact US tariffs are having on their countries’ economic growth prospects.” My latest @9dashline.com: www.9dashline.com/article/desp...
Reposted by Hunter Marston
I argue @foreignpolicy.com that despite President Trump’s recent trip to Kuala Lumpur for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the administration should put in place key Asia personnel & develop a coherent regional strategy to reverse declining US influence: foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/07/c...
Trump Is Alienating Southeast Asia
Tariffs and inattention have pushed regional states toward China.
foreignpolicy.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:34 PM
I argue @foreignpolicy.com that despite President Trump’s recent trip to Kuala Lumpur for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the administration should put in place key Asia personnel & develop a coherent regional strategy to reverse declining US influence: foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/07/c...
I argue @foreignpolicy.com that despite President Trump’s recent trip to Kuala Lumpur for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the administration should put in place key Asia personnel & develop a coherent regional strategy to reverse declining US influence: foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/07/c...
Trump Is Alienating Southeast Asia
Tariffs and inattention have pushed regional states toward China.
foreignpolicy.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:34 PM
I argue @foreignpolicy.com that despite President Trump’s recent trip to Kuala Lumpur for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the administration should put in place key Asia personnel & develop a coherent regional strategy to reverse declining US influence: foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/07/c...
Thank you @foreignpolicy.com for allowing me to share my thoughts on Trump's recent trip to ASEAN & the parlous state of US SE Asia strategy more broadly. As I argue, the administration must put in place key Asia personnel to develop a coherent regional strategy: foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/07/c...
Trump Is Alienating Southeast Asia
Tariffs and inattention have pushed regional states toward China.
foreignpolicy.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Thank you @foreignpolicy.com for allowing me to share my thoughts on Trump's recent trip to ASEAN & the parlous state of US SE Asia strategy more broadly. As I argue, the administration must put in place key Asia personnel to develop a coherent regional strategy: foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/07/c...
“Western powers have largely kept out of the conflict. But China, which shares a 2,000km border with Myanmar, has not… It has an incentive to mould whatever outcomes it thinks will best keep its interests secure.” www.economist.com/china/2025/1...
What a leaked transcript reveals about China’s muscular statecraft
It is determined to protect pipelines and rare-earth mines in Myanmar
www.economist.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:15 AM
“Western powers have largely kept out of the conflict. But China, which shares a 2,000km border with Myanmar, has not… It has an incentive to mould whatever outcomes it thinks will best keep its interests secure.” www.economist.com/china/2025/1...
Day 2 of the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea starts off with a bracing recap of recent Chinese coercive actions in the West Philippines Sea by Commodore Jay Tarriela, Commander of the Philippines Coast Guard, which Prof. Hu Bo dismisses as “fake news.” #SouthChinaSea
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Day 2 of the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea starts off with a bracing recap of recent Chinese coercive actions in the West Philippines Sea by Commodore Jay Tarriela, Commander of the Philippines Coast Guard, which Prof. Hu Bo dismisses as “fake news.” #SouthChinaSea
"the overall effect of [U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's] trip, following on the heels of President Trump’s generally positive engagements in the region, was to reassure nervous allies and partners that a U.S. strategic retreat from the Indo-Pacific is not imminent." www.csis.org/blogs/latest...
The Latest on Southeast Asia: Hegseth’s Charm Offensive | The Latest on Southeast Asia | CSIS
U.S. president Donald Trump’s visit to Malaysia during the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit late last month signaled U.S. attention to a region wary of Washington’s intentions. T...
www.csis.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:37 AM
"the overall effect of [U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's] trip, following on the heels of President Trump’s generally positive engagements in the region, was to reassure nervous allies and partners that a U.S. strategic retreat from the Indo-Pacific is not imminent." www.csis.org/blogs/latest...
Reposted by Hunter Marston
"If the US cannot uphold the rules it once championed or at least offer an alternative, it will see itself a bit player and ultimately of less importance to Southeast Asia’s future" www.9dashline.com/article/desp... | by @hmarston.bsky.social
9DASHLINE — Despite Trump’s red carpet visit, Washington holds a weak hand in Southeast Asia
Written by Dr. Hunter Marston. With the Trump administration fixated on bilateral trade deals with individual countries, rather than the large multilateral trade deals that have shaped the region’s ec...
www.9dashline.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:02 PM
"If the US cannot uphold the rules it once championed or at least offer an alternative, it will see itself a bit player and ultimately of less importance to Southeast Asia’s future" www.9dashline.com/article/desp... | by @hmarston.bsky.social
“Despite the apparent bonhomie and smoothness of the president’s trip overall, regional leaders remain anxious about the negative impact US tariffs are having on their countries’ economic growth prospects.” My latest @9dashline.com: www.9dashline.com/article/desp...
9DASHLINE — Despite Trump’s red carpet visit, Washington holds a weak hand in Southeast Asia
Written by Dr. Hunter Marston. With the Trump administration fixated on bilateral trade deals with individual countries, rather than the large multilateral trade deals that have shaped the region’s ec...
www.9dashline.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:52 PM
“Despite the apparent bonhomie and smoothness of the president’s trip overall, regional leaders remain anxious about the negative impact US tariffs are having on their countries’ economic growth prospects.” My latest @9dashline.com: www.9dashline.com/article/desp...
Delighted to see my article on the #Myanmar military junta's foreign relations since the 2021 military coup is now available for download with Asian Politics & Policy. Massive thanks to @markscogan.bsky.social for the invitation to join this special issue: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Delighted to see my article on the #Myanmar military junta's foreign relations since the 2021 military coup is now available for download with Asian Politics & Policy. Massive thanks to @markscogan.bsky.social for the invitation to join this special issue: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
”ASEAN’s reluctance to act is thus not simply a product of diplomatic caution; it is a rational defence of the economc structures that sustain elite power.” Insightful piece by Aniello Iannone @9dashline.com #Myanmar: www.9dashline.com/article/asea...
9DASHLINE — ASEAN, Myanmar, and the crisis of regionalism: Between centrality and irrelevance
Written by Aniello Iannone. ASEAN’s future will not be determined by declarations or summit communiqués. It will hinge on whether the organisation can transcend the comfort of paralysis and confront t...
www.9dashline.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:07 AM
”ASEAN’s reluctance to act is thus not simply a product of diplomatic caution; it is a rational defence of the economc structures that sustain elite power.” Insightful piece by Aniello Iannone @9dashline.com #Myanmar: www.9dashline.com/article/asea...
@becstrating.bsky.social kicks things off on the first panel of the 2nd Manila Dialogue on the #SouthChinaSea handing the mic to @billhayton.bsky.social for a rousing look at the historical record. Unsurprisingly, Dr. Wu Sichun did not agree with the contents of Dr. Hayton’s presentation.
November 6, 2025 at 1:38 AM
@becstrating.bsky.social kicks things off on the first panel of the 2nd Manila Dialogue on the #SouthChinaSea handing the mic to @billhayton.bsky.social for a rousing look at the historical record. Unsurprisingly, Dr. Wu Sichun did not agree with the contents of Dr. Hayton’s presentation.
Friends in Manila, I'm looking forward to participating in the second iteration of The Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea next week from November 5-7. DM me if you would like to connect! scsdialogue.org
Home - The Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea
Save the Date The Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea 2025 november 5-7, 2025 | Manila, Philippines Save the Date The Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea November 5-7, 2025 | Manila, Philippines...
scsdialogue.org
November 2, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Friends in Manila, I'm looking forward to participating in the second iteration of The Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea next week from November 5-7. DM me if you would like to connect! scsdialogue.org
"For the KIO, asserting control over rare earth mining within its territory is less about undermining China’s REE supply chain and more about leveraging its territorial authority to gain political legitimacy and economic benefits." #Myamar #rareearths www.9dashline.com/article/chin...
9DASHLINE — China's dominance in Myanmar's rare earth resources: A growing risk for global supply chains
Written by Ophelia Yumlembam. Given the Quad’s and the EU’s ongoing efforts to build resilient and diversified critical mineral supply chains, a more proactive and coordinated approach with other like...
www.9dashline.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:46 PM
"For the KIO, asserting control over rare earth mining within its territory is less about undermining China’s REE supply chain and more about leveraging its territorial authority to gain political legitimacy and economic benefits." #Myamar #rareearths www.9dashline.com/article/chin...
Reposted by Hunter Marston
help i very quickly need an example of a popular form of terrible internet discourse (it's a long story but i'm drawing blanks...like the sydney sweeney jeans stuff)
October 31, 2025 at 7:31 PM
help i very quickly need an example of a popular form of terrible internet discourse (it's a long story but i'm drawing blanks...like the sydney sweeney jeans stuff)
Reposted by Hunter Marston
The Navigator’s October issue — out now!
This month we examine:
• Australia–PNG’s Pukpuk Treaty — where shared identity is redefining defence
• IMF–World Bank & Global South autonomy
Stay ahead with our regional roundup.
Read here: 9dashline.substack.com/p/the-naviga...
Subscribe now!
This month we examine:
• Australia–PNG’s Pukpuk Treaty — where shared identity is redefining defence
• IMF–World Bank & Global South autonomy
Stay ahead with our regional roundup.
Read here: 9dashline.substack.com/p/the-naviga...
Subscribe now!
THE NAVIGATOR
Welcome to the October edition of The Navigator. Alongside our usual roundup of regional developments, this month’s features examine the contrasting models of sovereignty shaping the Indo-Pacific’s ev...
9dashline.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The Navigator’s October issue — out now!
This month we examine:
• Australia–PNG’s Pukpuk Treaty — where shared identity is redefining defence
• IMF–World Bank & Global South autonomy
Stay ahead with our regional roundup.
Read here: 9dashline.substack.com/p/the-naviga...
Subscribe now!
This month we examine:
• Australia–PNG’s Pukpuk Treaty — where shared identity is redefining defence
• IMF–World Bank & Global South autonomy
Stay ahead with our regional roundup.
Read here: 9dashline.substack.com/p/the-naviga...
Subscribe now!
“Every day we all wake up and say, ‘do we have time? Do any of these species have time? Are we just fighting a war that we’ve already lost?’” www.nytimes.com/2019/04/01/t...
Vietnam’s Empty Forests (Published 2019)
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:29 PM
“Every day we all wake up and say, ‘do we have time? Do any of these species have time? Are we just fighting a war that we’ve already lost?’” www.nytimes.com/2019/04/01/t...
This is pure political theater. Every time I see National Guard in Washington, they are wandering around aimlessly. DC is an easy place for them to be stationed cause there ain't much to do! They're almost always friendly, but there is no justification for this use of federal resources.
The Trump administration has extended the National Guard mission in D.C. through the end of February.
The size and scope of the mission are expected to remain roughly the same.
The size and scope of the mission are expected to remain roughly the same.
National Guard deployment in D.C. extended through February
President Donald Trump deployed National Guard members to D.C. in August when he declared a “crime emergency” in the city.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:57 PM
This is pure political theater. Every time I see National Guard in Washington, they are wandering around aimlessly. DC is an easy place for them to be stationed cause there ain't much to do! They're almost always friendly, but there is no justification for this use of federal resources.
Picked up a couple new books this week. Looking forward to reading both! @vanjackson.bsky.social @emmamashford.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Picked up a couple new books this week. Looking forward to reading both! @vanjackson.bsky.social @emmamashford.bsky.social
A model statesman. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
October 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
A model statesman. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
Interesting that #Singapore FM Vivian Balakrishnan characterized the US role as "unique" - not vital or indispensable as past leaders have: "The United States plays a unique role in promoting peace and prosperity in our region." www.facebook.com/Vivian.Balak...
Vivian Balakrishnan
President Donald Trump attended the 13th ASEAN-US Summit in Kuala Lumpur today. The United States plays a unique role in promoting peace and prosperity in our region, and his presence underscored...
www.facebook.com
October 26, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Interesting that #Singapore FM Vivian Balakrishnan characterized the US role as "unique" - not vital or indispensable as past leaders have: "The United States plays a unique role in promoting peace and prosperity in our region." www.facebook.com/Vivian.Balak...
"Throughout the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, small enterprises are learning to adapt to what many are now seeing as a post-America trade era." www.scmp.com/week-asia/ec...
The long goodbye: Southeast Asia adjusts to a post-America trade future
Trump’s tariffs are squeezing margins, re-routing supply chains and forcing companies to wean themselves off the US market.
www.scmp.com
October 26, 2025 at 6:23 PM
"Throughout the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, small enterprises are learning to adapt to what many are now seeing as a post-America trade era." www.scmp.com/week-asia/ec...
Could Donald Trump secure Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from prison? I’d wager he’d have a chance if he tried. US tariffs have hobbled #Myanmar’s garments industry, and POTUS could consider easing tariffs to coax 🇲🇲’s generals to free the 80 year-old political prisoner: www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/gues...
www.irrawaddy.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Could Donald Trump secure Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from prison? I’d wager he’d have a chance if he tried. US tariffs have hobbled #Myanmar’s garments industry, and POTUS could consider easing tariffs to coax 🇲🇲’s generals to free the 80 year-old political prisoner: www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/gues...
Reposted by Hunter Marston
Thank you @frontiermyanmar.bsky.social for the chance to chat about:
- China’s support for the #Myanmar military
- India’s interests in Myanmar's #rareearths
- the 47th ASEAN Summit
- how ASEAN might respond to the junta‘s elections
- U.S. policy under Trump 2.0
whimyanmar.com/scammers-sta...
- China’s support for the #Myanmar military
- India’s interests in Myanmar's #rareearths
- the 47th ASEAN Summit
- how ASEAN might respond to the junta‘s elections
- U.S. policy under Trump 2.0
whimyanmar.com/scammers-sta...
What's Happening in Myanmar: Scammers' Starlink Stopped & Summit Preview
With Hunter Marston, adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. This week on episode 50 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, the UEC announces election campaigning restricti...
whimyanmar.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Thank you @frontiermyanmar.bsky.social for the chance to chat about:
- China’s support for the #Myanmar military
- India’s interests in Myanmar's #rareearths
- the 47th ASEAN Summit
- how ASEAN might respond to the junta‘s elections
- U.S. policy under Trump 2.0
whimyanmar.com/scammers-sta...
- China’s support for the #Myanmar military
- India’s interests in Myanmar's #rareearths
- the 47th ASEAN Summit
- how ASEAN might respond to the junta‘s elections
- U.S. policy under Trump 2.0
whimyanmar.com/scammers-sta...
Thank you @frontiermyanmar.bsky.social for the chance to chat about:
- China’s support for the #Myanmar military
- India’s interests in Myanmar's #rareearths
- the 47th ASEAN Summit
- how ASEAN might respond to the junta‘s elections
- U.S. policy under Trump 2.0
whimyanmar.com/scammers-sta...
- China’s support for the #Myanmar military
- India’s interests in Myanmar's #rareearths
- the 47th ASEAN Summit
- how ASEAN might respond to the junta‘s elections
- U.S. policy under Trump 2.0
whimyanmar.com/scammers-sta...
What's Happening in Myanmar: Scammers' Starlink Stopped & Summit Preview
With Hunter Marston, adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. This week on episode 50 of What’s Happening in Myanmar, the UEC announces election campaigning restricti...
whimyanmar.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Thank you @frontiermyanmar.bsky.social for the chance to chat about:
- China’s support for the #Myanmar military
- India’s interests in Myanmar's #rareearths
- the 47th ASEAN Summit
- how ASEAN might respond to the junta‘s elections
- U.S. policy under Trump 2.0
whimyanmar.com/scammers-sta...
- China’s support for the #Myanmar military
- India’s interests in Myanmar's #rareearths
- the 47th ASEAN Summit
- how ASEAN might respond to the junta‘s elections
- U.S. policy under Trump 2.0
whimyanmar.com/scammers-sta...