Cambodia’s army to resume joint military exercises with the US next year

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's army has announced plans to resume joint military exercises with the United States next year, following a nearly decade-long hiatus. The decision comes after several recent meetings between top defense and other officials from both nations, aimed at repairing strained relations.

Cambodia suspended military drills with the U.S. in 2017. The upcoming joint exercise, dubbed "Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2027," is scheduled for February. The agreement reflects a renewed focus on defense cooperation and addressing concerns raised by Washington, particularly regarding Cambodia's close ties with China.

The U.S. has been wary of China's expanding military presence at a Cambodian navy base on the Gulf of Thailand, where Beijing reportedly provided significant upgrades in exchange for what Washington perceives as special privileges. Cambodia has vehemently denied these allegations.

U.S. officials have also expressed concerns over Cambodia's human rights record, including ongoing crackdowns on political dissent and the legal actions taken against critics, often facilitated by courts believed to be influenced by the ruling Cambodian People's Party led by Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Hun Manet met with U.S. Under Secretary for Policy Elbridge A. Colby on August 14 to discuss bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on defense matters and the plan to resume the Angkor Sentinel exercises. Colby is the third-ranking official in the U.S. Department of War. Both Hun Manet and U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, met in August to discuss resuming the bilateral maritime exercise, which had also been suspended in 2017.