Military exercises are to resume as part of the two countries’ renewed partnership.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally ended the arms embargo against Cambodia last week. The embargo was put in place in 2021. President Donald Trump and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet had reached an agreement to reinstate the annual Angkor Sentinel military exercises during the 13th annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The military exercises were last held in 2017.
The U.S. has also pledged to allow more Cambodian officers to attend West Point and the Air Force Academy. As part of the agreement, the U.S. and Cambodia will expand their transnational security cooperation, with a particular focus on narcotics traffickers and online scam centers.
Secretary Rubio’s notice in the Federal Register stated the move was “based on Cambodia’s diligent pursuit of peace and security, including through renewed engagement with the United States on defense cooperation and combating transnational crime.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For President Trump to be prudent as he seeks to strengthen security and economic ties with international partners.
- For discernment for Secretary Rubio as he implements foreign agreements and policies from the president.
Sources: Navy Times, The Federal Register, State Department
