Zachary Abuza
@zachabuza.bsky.social
Southeast Asian politics and security. Professor at the National War College, adjunct at Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program, and columnist for Radio Free Asia/Benar News. Surly New Englander. Views are my own, not NWC/DOD.
Never fun to come back from leave, but holding the new book is kind of special. www.rienner.com/title/The_Vi...
July 23, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Never fun to come back from leave, but holding the new book is kind of special. www.rienner.com/title/The_Vi...
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
lnkd.in/gt-EkqCv
Apple: bit.ly/44Ba0pE
Spotify: bit.ly/4eynK9e
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
July 14, 2025 at 1:14 AM
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
lnkd.in/gt-EkqCv
Apple: bit.ly/44Ba0pE
Spotify: bit.ly/4eynK9e
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...
National War College students.
www.rienner.com/title/The_Vi...
July 3, 2025 at 10:28 PM
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...
National War College students.
www.rienner.com/title/The_Vi...
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
lnkd.in/gPCe_9Cu
Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/3I8oTbw
Spotify: bit.ly/4lj2PcM
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
July 1, 2025 at 11:46 PM
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
lnkd.in/gPCe_9Cu
Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/3I8oTbw
Spotify: bit.ly/4lj2PcM
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...
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
May 9, 2025 at 12:34 AM
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...
rfa.org/english/myan...
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
lnkd.in/dmtzN28GApple
Podcasts: apple.co/4d3YHdp
spoti.fi/4jY1es2
May 8, 2025 at 10:14 AM
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
lnkd.in/dmtzN28GApple
Podcasts: apple.co/4d3YHdp
spoti.fi/4jY1es2
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
May 6, 2025 at 1:11 AM
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...
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
May 2, 2025 at 12:32 PM
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
Reposted by Zachary Abuza
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...
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
April 30, 2025 at 12:01 PM
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...
time.com/7281441/viet...
Reposted by Zachary Abuza
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
April 30, 2025 at 2:10 AM
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...
#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
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4iBX5Jd
Spotify: spoti.fi/432bUA5
April 29, 2025 at 11:02 PM
#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
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4iBX5Jd
Spotify: spoti.fi/432bUA5
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
Apple: apple.co/4jGRlyP
Spotify: spoti.fi/4lEngBL
April 28, 2025 at 12:15 PM
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
Apple: apple.co/4jGRlyP
Spotify: spoti.fi/4lEngBL
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
April 24, 2025 at 11:56 AM
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-...
Reposted by Zachary Abuza
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-...
📆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-...
April 21, 2025 at 6:04 PM
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-...
📆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-...
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
April 23, 2025 at 12:43 AM
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...
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
April 23, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Absolutely shortsighted. Reconciliation is the foundation for all other security cooperation that we want with #Vietnam. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/w...
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
April 22, 2025 at 10:47 PM
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...
Reposted by Zachary Abuza
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-...
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
April 10, 2025 at 9:10 PM
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-...
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-...
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
April 18, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This is so outrageous and such a total moral failing. But here we are. www.rfa.org/english/abou...
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.
April 16, 2025 at 11:58 PM
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.
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
April 16, 2025 at 10:27 AM
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...
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
April 16, 2025 at 10:14 AM
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...
Reposted by Zachary Abuza
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.
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.
April 16, 2025 at 8:41 AM
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.
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.
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
April 7, 2025 at 1:01 AM
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...
“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...
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
April 7, 2025 at 12:47 AM
“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...
For shame.
apnews.com/article/radi...