Cambodia 

Phnom Penh's Canal of Unpleasant Fragrances

As the Cambodian capital’s least-majestic waterway, the infamous “Shit Canal” is descended from greater architectural marvels intended to re-engineer the landscape. CityLab, February 14, 2017

Cambodia's microcredit boom: a blessing but also a curse

In Cambodia, the business of issuing small loans to impoverished borrowers is booming. With one in five adults currently relying on so-called microcredit, the country could be taking on too much debt. Dpa, December 1, 2016

The Most Powerful American In Cambodia: The Unlikely Rise Of Bretton Sciaroni

Bretton Sciaroni came to Cambodia in 1993, the year of its first democratic election after more than two decades of tumultuous rule by the U.S.-backed Lon Nol regime, the Khmer Rouge, and then a Vietnamese occupation force. It was a second chance for a country that had only gained independence from France in 1953, and a second chance for Sciaroni. Forbes.com, September 1, 2016

Flipping Condos in Phnom Penh

When the real estate gold rush ends, the city’s heritage could be lost forever in the pursuit of short-term gains. CityLab, August 23, 2016

Healing spirits

In times of ill-health and hardship, many Cambodians turn to spirit mediums. Could these superstitious beliefs be a symptom of a failing healthcare system? Southeast Asia Globe, April 29, 2016

The Lost Future of Cambodia

Inside Phnom Penh’s White Building. Roads and Kingdoms, December 5, 2016

Laos

Demonic possession in Laos - is it real, or a pretext for village chiefs to banish troublemakers and nonconformists?

The animist spirit Phi Pob is believed to cause illness and death, and eat human livers; in a tumbledown Mekong River village, Laotians who’ve stood up to authority live in forced exile, accused of being possessed by the demon. South China Morning Post, July 22, 2017