Rebecca Tan
@rebtanhs.bsky.social
Southeast Asia bureau chief at The Washington Post
Snaps from bikes and boats instagram.com/rebtanwp
Snaps from bikes and boats instagram.com/rebtanwp
Reposted by Rebecca Tan
A Post investigation found that Chinese manufacturers are shipping large amounts of chemicals that can be used in producing synthetic drugs to lawless parts of Southeast Asia, where criminal gangs have been trafficking record levels of meth.
China’s chemical exports are behind a ‘tsunami’ of meth flooding Asia
Chinese manufacturers are shipping meth precursor chemicals to warlords in Myanmar, precipitating a drug crisis across the Asia-Pacific, a Post investigation finds.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM
A Post investigation found that Chinese manufacturers are shipping large amounts of chemicals that can be used in producing synthetic drugs to lawless parts of Southeast Asia, where criminal gangs have been trafficking record levels of meth.
Reposted by Rebecca Tan
@rebtanhs.bsky.social รายงาน, Shin Sirachai Arunrugstichai ภาพ
โคตรยาว แต่ควรค่า อ่านตัวเต็มได้ใน (ถ้าไม่เป็นสมาชิก สามารถใช้อีเมลสมัครอ่านฟรีได้หนึ่งเรื่อง) www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
โคตรยาว แต่ควรค่า อ่านตัวเต็มได้ใน (ถ้าไม่เป็นสมาชิก สามารถใช้อีเมลสมัครอ่านฟรีได้หนึ่งเรื่อง) www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
China’s chemical exports are behind a ‘tsunami’ of meth flooding Asia
Chinese manufacturers are shipping meth precursor chemicals to warlords in Myanmar, precipitating a drug crisis across the Asia-Pacific, a Post investigation finds.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
@rebtanhs.bsky.social รายงาน, Shin Sirachai Arunrugstichai ภาพ
โคตรยาว แต่ควรค่า อ่านตัวเต็มได้ใน (ถ้าไม่เป็นสมาชิก สามารถใช้อีเมลสมัครอ่านฟรีได้หนึ่งเรื่อง) www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
โคตรยาว แต่ควรค่า อ่านตัวเต็มได้ใน (ถ้าไม่เป็นสมาชิก สามารถใช้อีเมลสมัครอ่านฟรีได้หนึ่งเรื่อง) www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Record levels of meth are flooding Asia. This doesn't just mirror the fentanyl crisis in the Americas; it's directly linked. The companies supplying Mexican cartels are the same as those supplying Myanmar warlords.
A year-long investigation out on the @washingtonpost.com now:
wapo.st/3LmdDdo
A year-long investigation out on the @washingtonpost.com now:
wapo.st/3LmdDdo
China’s chemical exports are behind a ‘tsunami’ of meth flooding Asia
Chinese manufacturers are shipping meth precursor chemicals to warlords in Myanmar, precipitating a drug crisis across the Asia-Pacific, a Post investigation finds.
wapo.st
November 8, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Record levels of meth are flooding Asia. This doesn't just mirror the fentanyl crisis in the Americas; it's directly linked. The companies supplying Mexican cartels are the same as those supplying Myanmar warlords.
A year-long investigation out on the @washingtonpost.com now:
wapo.st/3LmdDdo
A year-long investigation out on the @washingtonpost.com now:
wapo.st/3LmdDdo
One country that may play a growing role in Gaza's peace process: Indonesia.
Much of this push is being driven directly by President Prabowo, who has a deep and personal connection to the mideast, say officials. New in @washingtonpost.com:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Much of this push is being driven directly by President Prabowo, who has a deep and personal connection to the mideast, say officials. New in @washingtonpost.com:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Indonesia, world’s largest Muslim nation, looks to expand role in Gaza
President Prabowo Subianto wants to assert Indonesia’s influence on the global stage — and foster closer ties to President Donald Trump.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:36 PM
One country that may play a growing role in Gaza's peace process: Indonesia.
Much of this push is being driven directly by President Prabowo, who has a deep and personal connection to the mideast, say officials. New in @washingtonpost.com:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Much of this push is being driven directly by President Prabowo, who has a deep and personal connection to the mideast, say officials. New in @washingtonpost.com:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Despite being one of the world’s staunchest China supporters, Cambodia is embracing President Donald Trump with a level of enthusiasm virtually unmatched in Asia.
“The Trump way of operating is something that the Cambodian leadership understands."
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
“The Trump way of operating is something that the Cambodian leadership understands."
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
How Cambodia, a staunch ally of China, became infatuated with Trump
Cambodia’s elite is taken with Trump, partly thanks to his disregard for democratic processes, but also due to his efforts to secure ceasefire in a border conflict with Thailand.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 13, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Despite being one of the world’s staunchest China supporters, Cambodia is embracing President Donald Trump with a level of enthusiasm virtually unmatched in Asia.
“The Trump way of operating is something that the Cambodian leadership understands."
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
“The Trump way of operating is something that the Cambodian leadership understands."
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Budots is invading your feeds, whether you know it or not… 💿🪩🎧
We went to Davao, birthplace of the viral genre, to interview the legendary DJ Love. Now in @washingtonpost.com!
wapo.st/4ndb7DT
We went to Davao, birthplace of the viral genre, to interview the legendary DJ Love. Now in @washingtonpost.com!
wapo.st/4ndb7DT
How sounds from a Philippine slum gave rise to a viral music genre
Budots, a genre of deliberately tacky dance music from the slums of the Philippines, is shaped by the noise, joy and violence of the streets. Take a listen.
wapo.st
September 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Budots is invading your feeds, whether you know it or not… 💿🪩🎧
We went to Davao, birthplace of the viral genre, to interview the legendary DJ Love. Now in @washingtonpost.com!
wapo.st/4ndb7DT
We went to Davao, birthplace of the viral genre, to interview the legendary DJ Love. Now in @washingtonpost.com!
wapo.st/4ndb7DT
Illicit gold mining is surging across the globe. Across the operations in Ghana, Indonesia, French Guiana, there’s a connecting thread: Chinese syndicates.
New investigation in @washingtonpost.com: wapo.st/41GgjHP
New investigation in @washingtonpost.com: wapo.st/41GgjHP
August 13, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Illicit gold mining is surging across the globe. Across the operations in Ghana, Indonesia, French Guiana, there’s a connecting thread: Chinese syndicates.
New investigation in @washingtonpost.com: wapo.st/41GgjHP
New investigation in @washingtonpost.com: wapo.st/41GgjHP
Chinese illicit mining syndicates are ransacking gold deposits across the world, from Ghana to Indonesia. An unchecked "mining mafia" has left behind a trail of environmental devastation.
New investigation for the @washingtonpost.com:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
New investigation for the @washingtonpost.com:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Global ‘mining mafia’ feeds China’s appetite for gold, investigation shows
To reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and build its own capacity to influence the international monetary system, China is procuring gold at a voracious pace.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 12, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Chinese illicit mining syndicates are ransacking gold deposits across the world, from Ghana to Indonesia. An unchecked "mining mafia" has left behind a trail of environmental devastation.
New investigation for the @washingtonpost.com:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
New investigation for the @washingtonpost.com:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
“It would be hiding from the obvious to say that Taiwan’s security will not affect us,” said Philippine Defense Sec Teodoro, who has backed a proposal to view the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula as a single “theater” of battle.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
The Philippines is quietly working with Taiwan to counter China
Manila’s significant shift could pave the way for the Philippines, an American treaty ally, to play a bigger role in regional defense if China invades Taiwan.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 16, 2025 at 11:11 AM
“It would be hiding from the obvious to say that Taiwan’s security will not affect us,” said Philippine Defense Sec Teodoro, who has backed a proposal to view the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula as a single “theater” of battle.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Rebecca Tan
The World Hongmen History and Culture Association, which says it is devoted to promoting Chinese culture abroad, is not just an alleged criminal front. It is entwined with the Chinese Communist Party, according to a Post investigation.
Chinese association accused of mixing crime and patriotism as it serves Beijing
A Washington Post investigation found that China has selectively used criminal actors for geopolitical purposes, as long as they proclaim loyalty to the Communist Party.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The World Hongmen History and Culture Association, which says it is devoted to promoting Chinese culture abroad, is not just an alleged criminal front. It is entwined with the Chinese Communist Party, according to a Post investigation.
The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago today. It took decades for the two countries to normalize relations, then decades more for the U.S. to begin redressing what it left behind. These efforts at reconciliation are being eroded under Trump.
A 🧵on our @washingtonpost.com story today:
A 🧵on our @washingtonpost.com story today:
April 30, 2025 at 10:19 AM
The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago today. It took decades for the two countries to normalize relations, then decades more for the U.S. to begin redressing what it left behind. These efforts at reconciliation are being eroded under Trump.
A 🧵on our @washingtonpost.com story today:
A 🧵on our @washingtonpost.com story today:
Red Cross in Myanmar: Nearly 200,000 people displaced from the quake still living outdoors under 40-degree heat. "Myanmar’s cyclone season starts within days, exposing coastal populations to strong winds and rains – leaving families to face the risks of floods and landslides."
April 28, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Red Cross in Myanmar: Nearly 200,000 people displaced from the quake still living outdoors under 40-degree heat. "Myanmar’s cyclone season starts within days, exposing coastal populations to strong winds and rains – leaving families to face the risks of floods and landslides."
American businessman Michael Laskau said if the proposed tariffs are imposed, the impact on his garment business in Vietnam would be dramatic. “If we were to assume the 46 percent, it would be a huge, huge loss, as it would be for anybody in the supply chain.”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Asian markets extend losses amid Trump tariff uncertainty
President Donald Trump suggested he might be open to doing deals over tariffs, raising hopes in Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan. But China is preparing to retaliate.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 4, 2025 at 5:38 AM
American businessman Michael Laskau said if the proposed tariffs are imposed, the impact on his garment business in Vietnam would be dramatic. “If we were to assume the 46 percent, it would be a huge, huge loss, as it would be for anybody in the supply chain.”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Rebecca Tan
Powerful piece by @rebtanhs.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com #MyanmarEarthquake #USAID: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Trump’s USAID cuts cripple American response to Myanmar earthquake
Three days after the quake, there are no U.S. teams on the ground in Myanmar, a stark illustration of how Trump has upended America’s role in disaster response.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 2, 2025 at 12:52 PM
UN humanitarian coordinator for Myanmar:
"The humanitarian response in Myanmar has been chronically underfunded for years. Four months into the year right now, less than 5 per cent of the required US$1.1 billion of the Humanitarian Response Plan has been received."
"The humanitarian response in Myanmar has been chronically underfunded for years. Four months into the year right now, less than 5 per cent of the required US$1.1 billion of the Humanitarian Response Plan has been received."
April 3, 2025 at 2:01 AM
UN humanitarian coordinator for Myanmar:
"The humanitarian response in Myanmar has been chronically underfunded for years. Four months into the year right now, less than 5 per cent of the required US$1.1 billion of the Humanitarian Response Plan has been received."
"The humanitarian response in Myanmar has been chronically underfunded for years. Four months into the year right now, less than 5 per cent of the required US$1.1 billion of the Humanitarian Response Plan has been received."
The tangible effects of Elon Musk’s DOGE cuts are on display right now in Myanmar, say USAID officials. America’s disaster relief capabilities, the biggest and best in the world, are immobilized while the death toll in Myanmar’s earthquake climbs up and up.
@washingtonpost.com
@washingtonpost.com
April 1, 2025 at 3:55 AM
The tangible effects of Elon Musk’s DOGE cuts are on display right now in Myanmar, say USAID officials. America’s disaster relief capabilities, the biggest and best in the world, are immobilized while the death toll in Myanmar’s earthquake climbs up and up.
@washingtonpost.com
@washingtonpost.com
Reposted by Rebecca Tan
Hours after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated Myanmar on Friday, the U.S. officials charged with responding received their termination letters. Most of the personnel who would have made up a U.S. response team were already on indefinite leave @rebtanhs.bsky.social reports
wapo.st/3E3PiFR
wapo.st/3E3PiFR
Trump’s USAID cuts cripple American response to Myanmar earthquake
Three days after the quake, there are no U.S. teams on the ground in Myanmar, a stark illustration of how Trump has upended America’s role in disaster response.
wapo.st
March 31, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Hours after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated Myanmar on Friday, the U.S. officials charged with responding received their termination letters. Most of the personnel who would have made up a U.S. response team were already on indefinite leave @rebtanhs.bsky.social reports
wapo.st/3E3PiFR
wapo.st/3E3PiFR
Reposted by Rebecca Tan
We're seeing in real time the terrible consequences of Musk & Trump's dismantling of USAID.
A devastating earthquake has killed thousands — and many more will die without vital U.S. aid.
The AID officials in charge had just gotten their termination letters. America in retreat.
A devastating earthquake has killed thousands — and many more will die without vital U.S. aid.
The AID officials in charge had just gotten their termination letters. America in retreat.
Trump’s USAID cuts cripple American response to Myanmar earthquake
Three days after the quake, there are no U.S. teams on the ground in Myanmar, a stark illustration of how Trump has upended America’s role in disaster response.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 1, 2025 at 1:02 AM
We're seeing in real time the terrible consequences of Musk & Trump's dismantling of USAID.
A devastating earthquake has killed thousands — and many more will die without vital U.S. aid.
The AID officials in charge had just gotten their termination letters. America in retreat.
A devastating earthquake has killed thousands — and many more will die without vital U.S. aid.
The AID officials in charge had just gotten their termination letters. America in retreat.
Reposted by Rebecca Tan
Three days after the quake, there are no U.S. teams on the ground in Myanmar, a stark illustration of how Trump has upended America’s role in disaster response.
Trump’s USAID cuts cripple American response to Myanmar earthquake
Three days after the quake, there are no U.S. teams on the ground in Myanmar, a stark illustration of how Trump has upended America’s role in disaster response.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 31, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Three days after the quake, there are no U.S. teams on the ground in Myanmar, a stark illustration of how Trump has upended America’s role in disaster response.
Reposted by Rebecca Tan
Fakhri Abu Diab led the effort to protect homes in East Jerusalem’s al-Bustan neighborhood from demolition. In November, Israel destroyed his house.
After decades fighting demolitions, Palestinian sees own home wrecked
Jerusalem officials say they are razing structures as part of an “urban renewal” project. Rights groups fear Israel is pressuring Palestinian residents to leave.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 24, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Fakhri Abu Diab led the effort to protect homes in East Jerusalem’s al-Bustan neighborhood from demolition. In November, Israel destroyed his house.
When Israel ordered citizens to evacuate border regions more than a year ago, it allowed poor migrant farmworkers, most of them from Thailand, to stay put — to water crops, prune trees and harvest fruit as rockets fell around them. Six have died this year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
Asian farmworkers are being killed in Israel’s embattled border regions
Despite repeated protests from their countries, Israel has continued to let migrant laborers work in high-risk military zones.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 9, 2024 at 2:43 AM
When Israel ordered citizens to evacuate border regions more than a year ago, it allowed poor migrant farmworkers, most of them from Thailand, to stay put — to water crops, prune trees and harvest fruit as rockets fell around them. Six have died this year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
No shortage of devastating stories. But this one, for me, was wrenching to report: Asian farmworkers are being killed in Israel's borders, dying in a war a world away from home. Their governments are desperate for this to stop.
In @washingtonpost.com today: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
In @washingtonpost.com today: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
Asian farmworkers are being killed in Israel’s embattled border regions
Despite repeated protests from their countries, Israel has continued to let migrant laborers work in high-risk military zones.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 7, 2024 at 3:52 PM
No shortage of devastating stories. But this one, for me, was wrenching to report: Asian farmworkers are being killed in Israel's borders, dying in a war a world away from home. Their governments are desperate for this to stop.
In @washingtonpost.com today: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
In @washingtonpost.com today: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
Reposted by Rebecca Tan
Starter pack for our excellent journalists on the @washingtonpost.com international team, courtesy of @matthewhaybrown.bsky.social. Follow along for stories and skeets from our team around the world:
bsky.app/starter-pack...
bsky.app/starter-pack...
December 2, 2024 at 12:45 AM
Starter pack for our excellent journalists on the @washingtonpost.com international team, courtesy of @matthewhaybrown.bsky.social. Follow along for stories and skeets from our team around the world:
bsky.app/starter-pack...
bsky.app/starter-pack...
Hi! My name is Rebecca and I cover Southeast Asia for The Washington Post, with occasional stints elsewhere. I’ve reported from nickel mines in Indonesia, rebel command centers in Myanmar, and loads of places in between.
Follow along for stories on (imo) the most interesting place in the world 🌅
Follow along for stories on (imo) the most interesting place in the world 🌅
December 4, 2024 at 2:40 PM
Hi! My name is Rebecca and I cover Southeast Asia for The Washington Post, with occasional stints elsewhere. I’ve reported from nickel mines in Indonesia, rebel command centers in Myanmar, and loads of places in between.
Follow along for stories on (imo) the most interesting place in the world 🌅
Follow along for stories on (imo) the most interesting place in the world 🌅
Reposted by Rebecca Tan
Hey all 👋🏼 I love covering West Africa, which recently has meant a lot of trips to the Sahel and stories about the changes underway there. It’s also meant finding the unexpected gems, like this dance troupe competing in Burkina Faso
A free link to one of my favorite stories: wapo.st/4i7p4kO
A free link to one of my favorite stories: wapo.st/4i7p4kO
November 27, 2024 at 6:38 PM
Hey all 👋🏼 I love covering West Africa, which recently has meant a lot of trips to the Sahel and stories about the changes underway there. It’s also meant finding the unexpected gems, like this dance troupe competing in Burkina Faso
A free link to one of my favorite stories: wapo.st/4i7p4kO
A free link to one of my favorite stories: wapo.st/4i7p4kO