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

Senior officials from both countries discussed restarting the Angkor Sentinel drills last weekend, alongside expanded training and military reforms, Cambodian media reported.

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”.