iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

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 · 14/07/2025

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

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

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

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 · 02/07/2025

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

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

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

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

Highlights of RFA Burmese reporting

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

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

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 · 06/05/2025

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...

rfa.org

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.”

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

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

nytimes.com

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.

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Mark S. Cogan @markscogan.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

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

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.

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Max Walden @maxwalden.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

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...

apnews.com

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...

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

#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

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

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 · 23/04/2025

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...

unodc.org

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

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...

cbsnews.com

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.

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

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 · 16/04/2025

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...

newmandala.org

Making Mainland Southeast Asia safe for autocracy - New Mandala

How regional elites built an “authoritarian security community”

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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...

irrawaddy.com

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

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

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Special Advisory Council for Myanmar @special-council.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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 · 07/04/2025

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...

scmp.com

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.

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

“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...

apnews.com

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...

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Well, we had a good run. Congrats China.

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Chinese doctrine is based on all encompassing political warfare. Without @benarnews & @RadioFreeAsia we’re unilaterally ceding the entire information space in SEAsia to Beijing. This is an enormous own goal & an act of strategic malpractice. www.benarnews.org/english/news...

benarnews.org

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

URGENT. @skills4humanity.bsky.social has medical teams in the Mandalay region. I just wired her money for lifesaving aid, you should too. PayPal: @MeredithBunn.

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

The need for on the ground reporting from #Myanmar is more important than ever. The AGM’s block of the grant has hampered @RadioFreeAsia’s efforts. Please join me in donating to support their fearless journalists. www.gofundme.com/f/aid-rfa-jo...

gofundme.com

Donate to Aid RFA Journalists Affected by Earthquake, organized by Tin Khine

Radio Free Asia’s journalists inside Myanmar should be reporting on the earthquak… Tin Khine needs your support for Aid RFA Journalists Affected by Earthquake

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

This is a beautiful and fitting tribute to the fierce and fabulous journalist Gwen Robinson. Gwen was a force of nature, an excellent editor and deeply cared about issues across Asia, especially Myanmar. RIP - we will miss you, Gwen. asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Ob... via @nikkei-asia.com

asia.nikkei.com

Gwen Robinson, a driving force in Asia journalism, dies at 65

Trailblazing correspondent and mentor instrumental in shaping Nikkei Asia's global presence

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Justice For Myanmar @justiceformyanmar.org · 30/03/2025

Myanmar military jets and paramotors have been conducting airstrikes post-earthquake as the junta seeks global aid for victims. ❌ These airstrikes must be stopped to ensure safe aid delivery. Governments should act now to save lives.

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Myanmar earthquake: Junta continues air strikes after devastating quake

A UN Special Rapporteur tells BBC it is "nothing short of incredible" that the military would "drop bombs when you are trying to rescue people".

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

The U.S. is ready to send the #Philippines more military equipment, but China is engaged in full on political warfare. The US has unilaterally disarmed itself with the dismantling of USAID, ⁦‪@RadioFreeAsia‬⁩, ⁦‪@BenarNews‬⁩, USIP & other instruments. rfa.org/english/sout...

rfa.org

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Just 5 months in office, Prabowo’s problems pile up. I look at growing public protests and investor jitters in #Indonesia for Benar News.

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

The devastating earthquake will provide an opportunity for China to engage #Myanmar's junta that they're so desperate to prop up; they've already been doubling down in their military support. New report by Nein Nein Thant Aung & myself for @stimsoncenter.bsky.social. www.stimson.org/2025/too-lit...

stimson.org

Too Little, Too Late: China Steps Up Military Aid to Myanmar’s Junta • Stimson Center

China has doubled down on aid to Myanmar’s military government, but this might not turn the tide of the conflict.

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Guy Patrick Banim @guybanim.eurosky.social · 28/03/2025

🇲🇲❤️‍🩹 #MyanmarEarthquake Disaster Relief - Spring CrowdFund working to facilitate humanitarian aid Coordinated with Min of Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management – NUG to ensure immediate support 👉 springcrowdfund.org/campaign/2a0... @capediamond.bsky.social @zachabuza.bsky.social

springcrowdfund.org

Spring Crowdfund

Together we are stronger

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

MAH: Give me a sign that I should continue to hold power. The Universe:

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Josh Sheehan 🪷🌳🏳️‍⚧️🎸🐕🧡 @sheehanistan.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

1/ Starting a small thread of Myanmar earthquake damage claims I find. (note: trying to highlight more obscure finds not circulating as much) Mekong News reporting at least 25-30 deaths in Inle Lake area. facebook.com/MeKongNewsMM...

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

URGENT. @skills4humanity.bsky.social has medical teams in the Mandalay region. I just wired her money for lifesaving aid, you should too. PayPal: @MeredithBunn.

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

This week's Straight Talk Southeast Asia focuses on the most serious setbacks to #Indonesian democracy since the fall of Suharto in 1998, with the revision to the 2004 Indonesian Military (TNI) Law. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4iGj8zd Spotify: spoti.fi/4kThrQu

apple.co

EP80: TNI’s Empowerment & Democratic Erosion in Indonesia w/ Virdika Rizky Utama

Podcast Episode · Straight Talk Southeast Asia · 24/03/2025 · 25m

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

The US cannot counter China’s political warfare without @RadioFreeAsia. Their investigative journalism exposes what Beijing wants hidden. Shuttering RFA cedes the ground to China. Restoring funding is essential for advancing US national interests. www.rfa.org/english/asia...

rfa.org

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

This is astounding. The IC's Annual Threat Assessment is clear eyed about China's political warfare campaign. And yet, the administration has unilaterally dismantled so many of our tools to counter malign Chinese influence: USAID, USIP @VOANews & @RadioFreeAsia. Strategic malpractice.

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Austin Ramzy @austinramzy.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

China is still developing its capacity to invade Taiwan, but analysts say it is now able to carry out a blockade or quarantine. @joyuwang.bsky.social and I take a look at how that might unfold Gift link: www.wsj.com/world/china/...

wsj.com

China Is Ready to Blockade Taiwan. Here’s How.

China’s military, in increasingly complex exercises, have encircled Taiwan and simulated blockades.

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

From the woke @wsj.com editorial board: “@RadioFreeAsia has an annual budget of $60.8 million and reaches some 58 million people a week. The cost is inconsequential compared to the value of news that challenges the narratives of autocratic regimes." www.wsj.com/opinion/radi...

wsj.com

Opinion | A U.S. Retreat in the War of Ideas

Trump shuts down networks that help evade dictatorship firewalls.

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Reposted by Zachary Abuza

Straight Talk Southeast Asia Podcast @straighttalksea.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Delighted to have @carloshconde.bsky.social on Straight Talk SEA S3 Ep 11 discussing Philippine former President Duterte's arrest & fight for justice for 1000s of victims of the 'war on drugs'. @zachabuza.bsky.social www.spreaker.com/episode/ep79... Apple: apple.co/4kCcpb6 Spotify: spoti.fi/43SuQC7

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Straight Talk Southeast Asia Podcast @straighttalksea.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Straight Talk SEA continues to focus on issues affecting rights, w/analysis by @reaproy.bsky.social on threats to democracy & in-depth analysis of region w/ @zachabuza.bsky.social & @dririshsea.bsky.social . S3EP10 www.spreaker.com/episode/ep78... Apple: apple.co/3Fs3F6Z Spotify: spoti.fi/4bFF8rf

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

The political fallout from a Philippine strongman’s fall. My thoughts on the dynastic feud for Benar News. www.benarnews.org/english/comm...

benarnews.org

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Zachary Abuza @zachabuza.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

China's intercepts are becoming more frequent, more aggressive, and more illegal. Me for @radiofreeasiapr.bsky.social. www.rfa.org/english/opin....

rfa.org

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