Ex-diplomat hails ‘golden opportunity” to reset Cambodia-US partnership

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Hun Manet (L) at the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia on October 26. PMO

Synopsis: Academic and former diplomat Pou Sothirak says the lifting of the US arms embargo and resumption of ‘Angkor Sentinel’ military exercises offer the chance to Phnom Penh and Washington to reboot their partnership that became strained under the Biden administration.

The resumption of US-Cambodia joint military exercises and the lifting of Washington’s arms embargo on Phnom Penh present the perfect chance for the two countries to rebuild trust and expand cooperation in security and trade, an academic said.

In an exclusive interview with Khmer Times, Ambassador Pou Sothirak—retired diplomat, academic, and Distinguished Senior Adviser to the Cambodian Centre for Regional Studies—hailed the improvement in Cambodia-US relations.

“This represents a golden opportunity, a new opportunity to reset US-Cambodia relations, not just any normal relations, but a strategic relation… resetting the strategic relationship between Cambodia and the US. It is very timely,” said Sothirak.

During a meeting between National Defence Minister General Tea Seiha and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Kuala Lumpur early this month, the two nations agreed to resume the “Angkor Sentinel” joint military exercises after nearly a decade of suspension. The US also lifted its arms embargo on Cambodia and consented to expanded cooperation in trade and in combatting transnational crime.

This was after US President Donald Trump oversaw the inking of a peace accord between Cambodia and Thailand, also in Kuala Lumpur on October 26. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the ASEAN Chair, was also witness to the signing.

Sothirak said the resumption of joint exercises, the removal of the arms embargo, and broader cooperation would allow the two nations to rebuild trust.

The arms ban was imposed in 2021 by the Biden administration over concerns over China’s expanding military influence in Cambodia, as well as human rights issues and alleged corruption.

Cambodia and the US this year celebrated the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, marking a milestone in their enduring partnership.

Sothirak noted that the US-brokered ceasefire followed by a peace accord in the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict showed that Washington still considered Cambodia to be an important partner.

“We are not an enemy to America. We are a friend,” he stressed, adding that renewed engagement reflects US recognition of Cambodia’s role in regional peace and security.

The US Mission to ASEAN reported that at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in July, Trump and Prime Minister Hun Manet had the first leader-level meeting between the two countries since the Cambodian leader assumed office in 2023.

“Based on Cambodia’s diligent pursuit of peace and security, the United States will remove the arms embargo on Cambodia, and both sides agreed to restart the bilateral Angkor Sentinel defence exercise, last held in 2017,” the mission said on July 26.

The annual exercises, organised by the US Army Pacific, were launched in 2010 to strengthen military-to-military ties and enhance disaster relief capabilities.

However, the drills were suspended in 2017 amid strained relations while Cambodia’s joint exercises with China, known as the “Golden Dragon” drills, have grown in scale each year.

On the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Prak Sokhonn held bilateral talks with Allison Hooker, US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs.

As the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-US Dialogue Relations, Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment “to strengthen further and deepen the relationship and partnership between the two countries.”

Sothirak recalled that the shift in momentum began with then US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Phnom Penh two years ago, during which Washington signalled that Cambodia remains relevant within the Indo-Pacific Strategy. He said Cambodia’s support for the Indo-Pacific framework further underscored the strategic nature of the relationship.

“I think the first step in the right direction is to formalise this reset by allowing the joint military exercise to restart, and I welcome this very much,” he said. “We need to continue to engage through defence diplomacy at the highest level with the US, starting with the joint exercise. Militarily, or in the security realm, Cambodia can also count on the US to help raise the capacity of our defence officials and strengthen our defence capability.”

He encouraged both countries to build on the momentum, noting reports that Hegseth was preparing to visit Cambodia. Sothirak urged the government to facilitate the visit swiftly, calling it another opportunity to formalise the reset in relations.

He added that transparency regarding the Ream Naval Base should be part of future discussions, as Washington remains concerned about potential Chinese military access.

“I think if Pete Hegseth’s visit takes place in the foreseeable future, he will definitely want to visit Ream Naval Base. We should open up Ream for him to see it, and even invite an American warship to visit,” he said.

It remains unclear whether Washington’s concerns over China’s growing military influence in Cambodia have been resolved. For over past years, US officials have voiced unease about the expansion of the Ream Naval Base, funded by China.

According to Sothirak, deepening ties with the US would support Cambodia’s strategic diversification and reduce over-reliance on any single partner. He said the current administration has shown openness to broadening diplomatic and security engagement with major powers, which he believes will strengthen Cambodia’s regional standing.

Amid heightened security pressures and border tensions with Thailand, Sothirak argued that strong ties with the US could also serve as a deterrent.

“What is the biggest threat to Cambodia now? I’m sure it will be Thailand. You know, the use of military means to settle disputes from Thailand is the biggest threat to Cambodia’s national security interest. So, having the Americans involved provides the best deterrence policy, allowing Cambodia to show friends and other countries that we also have a big brother on our side,” he added.

He said the present climate offers a rare chance to rebuild a deeper, more strategic Cambodia-US relationship.

-Khmer Times-