Why Cambodia is reviving US military drills despite close China ties
Restarting Angkor Sentinel drills lets Phnom Penh signal strategic autonomy without abandoning Beijing, analysts say
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Cambodia is preparing to restart joint military exercises with the United States next year, in a move analysts described as a pragmatic reset of defence ties strained since 2017 – though not a pivot away from China.
Senior officials from both countries discussed restarting the Angkor Sentinel drills last weekend, alongside expanded training and military reforms, Cambodian media reported.
Washington has also signalled interest in further visits to Ream, a strategically located Cambodian naval base built with extensive Chinese assistance.
The announcements followed a visit by Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s under secretary of defence for policy, to Phnom Penh for meetings with Prime Minister Hun Manet and Defence Minister Tea Seiha on August 14 and 15 – the last stop on a four-nation tour aimed at rebuilding military relationships.
Bora Chhay, a policy analyst and managing director of strategic advisory firm BowerGroupAsia’s Cambodia practice, called it a “significant but pragmatic reset”.
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