On February 24, 2025, General Ronald P. Clark, the commanding general of the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), led a visit to Phnom Penh. Following a US Navy visit to Cambodia last December, this two-day visit marks the latest efforts by US military officials to revitalize the US-Cambodia bilateral defense relationship.
During his visit to Phnom Penh, General Clark met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and leaders of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF). Discussions centered around the possibility of resuming the joint “Angkor Sentinel” military exercises, which have been suspended since 2017. The talks also included discussions on the scope of future intelligence sharing, joint counterterrorism efforts, and ongoing efforts to locate and repatriate the remains of missing US service members from the Vietnam War. Hun Manet expressed gratitude for US assistance in clearing land mines and unexploded munitions from the Vietnam War-era, which are estimated to number around four to six million. Although USAID-sponsored demining operations had been discontinued, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) were recently notified that the US Department of State’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PMWRA) would resume this work in late February.
The United States and Cambodia maintain strong bilateral trade relations, with US exports to Cambodia totaling over $321 million and US imports from Cambodia totaling over $12 billion in 2024. However, diplomatic relations have been strained in the past due to Washington’s criticism of human rights violations by the government in Phnom Penh. In 2024, Cambodia condemned US Treasury sanctions imposed over allegations of forced labor, human trafficking, and online scams.
The Angkor Sentinel exercises with the United States began in 2010 but were canceled by the Cambodian government in early 2017, not long after Cambodia first conducted a joint military exercise with the Chinese military. Named the “Golden Dragon” exercises, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s presence in Cambodia have raised concerns in Washington about the close relations between the two countries. Since 2016, the Cambodian and Chinese armed forces have conducted seven military exercises, which entails drills both on land and at sea. This year, about 1,315 Cambodian and 760 Chinese military personnel participated in the 15-day military exercises. China is Cambodia’s most important ally and benefactor, and more than 40% of Cambodia’s $10 billion in foreign debt is owed to China.
Furthermore, there are concerns that China’s navy may secure exclusive access to the Ream Naval Base, making strengthening relations with Cambodia especially important for the United States and its allies. Its strategic location in the Gulf of Thailand could make it easier for China to project its power from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. The Ream Naval Base received funding from China to upgrade its facilities in 2022 and 2023, which raised questions about the purpose of the facility. These worries intensified last year when Chinese naval ships took part in a joint exercise with the Cambodian military there—the first time a foreign navy operated at the newly upgraded base.
The US visit to Cambodia marks a critical step toward improving bilateral relations at a time when regional dynamics are shifting. By engaging in military and diplomatic dialogue, Washington seeks to counterbalance Beijing’s growing influence while fostering a more cooperative relationship with Cambodia. Reviving the Angkor Sentinel exercises and expanding collaboration on security issues could help rebuild trust and encourage Phnom Penh to maintain a degree of strategic autonomy. Ultimately, deepening ties with Cambodia aligns with broader US efforts to reinforce its presence in Southeast Asia and uphold regional stability amid intensifying geopolitical tensions.
Nanami Nishimoto is a Spring 2025 Young Professional at the East-West Center in Washington. She is a graduate student at Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) with a B.A. in International Studies, majoring in IR and minoring in German.