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(Sebastian Strangio) (Sebastian Strangio) By (https://thediplomat.com/authors/sebastian-strangio/) Sebastian Strangio September 08, 2026 (Share on LinkedIn) (https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F09%2Fcambodia-confirms-resumption-of-joint-military-exercises-with-us-next-year%2F&title=Cambodia+Confirms+Resumption+of+Joint+Military+Exercises+With+US+Next+Year) (Share on Facebook) (https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F09%2Fcambodia-confirms-resumption-of-joint-military-exercises-with-us-next-year%2F) (Share on Bluesky) (https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Cambodia+Confirms+Resumption+of+Joint+Military+Exercises+With+US+Next+Year%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F09%2Fcambodia-confirms-resumption-of-joint-military-exercises-with-us-next-year%2F) (Share on X) (https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Cambodia+Confirms+Resumption+of+Joint+Military+Exercises+With+US+Next+Year&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F09%2Fcambodia-confirms-resumption-of-joint-military-exercises-with-us-next-year%2F) (Cambodia Confirms Resumption of Joint Military Exercises With US Next Year) (Cambodia Confirms Resumption of Joint Military Exercises With US Next Year) U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet (center left), U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Cambodia Aleks Zittle (right), and Royal Cambodian Navy Rear Adm. Mey Dina, commander of the Ream Naval Base (center right), pose for a photo with their staff during Koehler’s visit to the base in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Aug. 7, 2026. Credit: (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9855961/commander-us-pacific-fleet-visits-ream-naval-base-cambodia) U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions/) Subscribe for ads-free reading Cambodia’s army has confirmed that it will resume joint military exercises with the United States early next year after a decade-long suspension, the latest sign of the improving ties between the two nations. The Royal Cambodian Army (https://www.facebook.com/RoyalCambodianArmy1999/posts/pfbid02xw9s5eb7s4K3WhTPiJarNv9NE2AcnG3bzJRPDvKT6M4vT5R7b4Sv6Av6ymzGkg5vl) announced on Facebook on Friday that officials from the two nations had concluded an Initial Planning Conference for Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2027, which it said would be held in February of next year. The exercise has the aim of “strengthening interoperability and disaster-response capabilities, reflecting renewed momentum in Cambodia–U.S. military cooperation and a shared commitment to strengthening defense cooperation.” The announcement follows several high-level meetings between U.S. and Cambodian officials. These include a meeting last month between Prime Minister Hun Manet and Elbridge A. Colby, undersecretary for policy at the U.S. Department of War, during which the two discussed expanded defense cooperation. Hun Manet said at the time that he was satisfied with the “positive momentum in Cambodia-U.S. relations” and the ongoing talks about the resumption of Angkor Sentinel, the Associated Press (https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/defense/cambodia-to-resume-joint-military-exercises-with-us-next-year) reported . “The joint exercises and training not only build military capability but also serve as a vital bridge to foster close friendship between the armed forces of both countries,” he added. This was not long after Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Phnom Penh for meetings with officials including Gen. Vong Pisen, the commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and Vice Adm. Tea Sokha, the commander of the Royal Cambodian Navy. The visit “reaffirmed the United States’ long-term commitment to strengthening bilateral relationships and partnerships that advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a (https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/4566479/readout-pacific-fleet-commanders-travel-to-cambodia-aug-6-7/) statement at the time. Angkor Sentinel was held for the first time in 2010 but was (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cambodia-usa-idUSKBN1501YK) unilaterally canceled by the Cambodian government in early 2017, shortly after Cambodian troops took part for the first time in Golden Dragon, a joint military exercise with the Chinese military. The move reflected the mutually reinforcing deterioration of Phnom Penh’s relations with Washington and its growing proximity to China. The resumption of the exercise has been anticipated by both sides for some time. It was (https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/talks-on-cambodia-us-military-drills-may-resume-in-feb) first publicly discussed in early 2025, just prior to President Trump’s return to the White House, and has been referenced in most high-level diplomatic meetings since then. It reflects the sea change that has taken place in U.S.-Cambodia relations since the midpoint of the Biden administration, as Phnom Penh has sought to diversify its foreign relations and the U.S. has worked to pull the country out of China’s orbit. However, the rapprochement has gained inexorable momentum since the inauguration of the second Trump administration, whose transactional mode of diplomacy has been much more to Phnom Penh’s liking. In particular, President Donald Trump’s decision to shutter USAID and cut off U.S. funding for democracy promotion efforts and media outlets like Radio Free Asia removed a key impediment to improved relations on the Cambodian side. As I (https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/cambodia-proposes-resumption-of-joint-military-exercise-with-the-us/) noted in 2025 , Cambodia’s government finally has what it has always wanted: “a relationship with the U.S. that strengthens, rather than undermines, the CPP’s hold on power.” Last June, the U.S. government (https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/us-government-removes-embargo-on-arms-sales-to-cambodia/) officially removed Cambodia from its arms sale blacklist, a month after an American ship (https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/us-warship-pays-first-port-call-at-cambodias-ream-naval-base/) docked for the first time at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base. The latter was particularly significant, given the (https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/china-prepares-to-hand-over-refurbished-naval-facilities-warships-to-cambodia/) extensive Chinese refurbishment of the base, which U.S. and Western officials feared was intended to host a permanent Chinese military presence. Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, (https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501834212/historic-ream-port-call-signals-renewed-cambodia-us-defence-partnership/) described the port visit as a sign of the “strong upward trajectory” of relations between Phnom Penh and Washington. These improvements have come even as branches of the U.S. government have (https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/us-uk-announce-sweeping-sanctions-in-largest-action-ever-against-southeast-asia-scam-syndicates/) come to officially recognize the extent of the Cambodian elite’s (https://thediplomat.com/2024/09/the-sanctioning-of-ly-yong-phat-milestone-or-mirage/) involvement in the country’s gigantic (https://vodenglish.news/enslaved/) online scamming industry . According to U.S. government agencies, online scamming cost U.S. citizens (https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/us-uk-announce-sweeping-sanctions-in-largest-action-ever-against-southeast-asia-scam-syndicates/) at least $10 billion in 2024. Already have an account? Log in . You have reached the limit of 2 free articles this month. Get to the bottom of the story (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions) Subscribe today and join thousands of diplomats, analysts, policy professionals and business readers who rely on The Diplomat for expert Asia-Pacific coverage. Get unlimited access to in-depth analysis you won't find anywhere else, from South China Sea tensions to ASEAN diplomacy to India-Pakistan relations. More than 5,000 articles a year. Unlimited articles and expert analysis Weekly newsletter with exclusive insights 16-year archive of diplomatic coverage Ad-free reading on all devices Support independent journalism (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions) Subscribe Now (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions) View Subscription Options Already have an account? Log in . Cambodia’s army has confirmed that it will resume joint military exercises with the United States early next year after a decade-long suspension, the latest sign of the improving ties between the two nations. The Royal Cambodian Army (https://www.facebook.com/RoyalCambodianArmy1999/posts/pfbid02xw9s5eb7s4K3WhTPiJarNv9NE2AcnG3bzJRPDvKT6M4vT5R7b4Sv6Av6ymzGkg5vl) announced on Facebook on Friday that officials from the two nations had concluded an Initial Planning Conference for Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2027, which it said would be held in February of next year. The exercise has the aim of “strengthening interoperability and disaster-response capabilities, reflecting renewed momentum in Cambodia–U.S. military cooperation and a shared commitment to strengthening defense cooperation.” The announcement follows several high-level meetings between U.S. and Cambodian officials. These include a meeting last month between Prime Minister Hun Manet and Elbridge A. Colby, undersecretary for policy at the U.S. Department of War, during which the two discussed expanded defense cooperation. Hun Manet said at the time that he was satisfied with the “positive momentum in Cambodia-U.S. relations” and the ongoing talks about the resumption of Angkor Sentinel, the Associated Press (https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/defense/cambodia-to-resume-joint-military-exercises-with-us-next-year) reported . “The joint exercises and training not only build military capability but also serve as a vital bridge to foster close friendship between the armed forces of both countries,” he added. This was not long after Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Phnom Penh for meetings with officials including Gen. Vong Pisen, the commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and Vice Adm. Tea Sokha, the commander of the Royal Cambodian Navy. The visit “reaffirmed the United States’ long-term commitment to strengthening bilateral relationships and partnerships that advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a (https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/4566479/readout-pacific-fleet-commanders-travel-to-cambodia-aug-6-7/) statement at the time. Angkor Sentinel was held for the first time in 2010 but was (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cambodia-usa-idUSKBN1501YK) unilaterally canceled by the Cambodian government in early 2017, shortly after Cambodian troops took part for the first time in Golden Dragon, a joint military exercise with the Chinese military. The move reflected the mutually reinforcing deterioration of Phnom Penh’s relations with Washington and its growing proximity to China. The resumption of the exercise has been anticipated by both sides for some time. It was (https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/talks-on-cambodia-us-military-drills-may-resume-in-feb) first publicly discussed in early 2025, just prior to President Trump’s return to the White House, and has been referenced in most high-level diplomatic meetings since then. It reflects the sea change that has taken place in U.S.-Cambodia relations since the midpoint of the Biden administration, as Phnom Penh has sought to diversify its foreign relations and the U.S. has worked to pull the country out of China’s orbit. However, the rapprochement has gained inexorable momentum since the inauguration of the second Trump administration, whose transactional mode of diplomacy has been much more to Phnom Penh’s liking. In particular, President Donald Trump’s decision to shutter USAID and cut off U.S. funding for democracy promotion efforts and media outlets like Radio Free Asia removed a key impediment to improved relations on the Cambodian side. As I (https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/cambodia-proposes-resumption-of-joint-military-exercise-with-the-us/) noted in 2025 , Cambodia’s government finally has what it has always wanted: “a relationship with the U.S. that strengthens, rather than undermines, the CPP’s hold on power.” Last June, the U.S. government (https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/us-government-removes-embargo-on-arms-sales-to-cambodia/) officially removed Cambodia from its arms sale blacklist, a month after an American ship (https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/us-warship-pays-first-port-call-at-cambodias-ream-naval-base/) docked for the first time at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base. The latter was particularly significant, given the (https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/china-prepares-to-hand-over-refurbished-naval-facilities-warships-to-cambodia/) extensive Chinese refurbishment of the base, which U.S. and Western officials feared was intended to host a permanent Chinese military presence. Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, (https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501834212/historic-ream-port-call-signals-renewed-cambodia-us-defence-partnership/) described the port visit as a sign of the “strong upward trajectory” of relations between Phnom Penh and Washington. These improvements have come even as branches of the U.S. government have (https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/us-uk-announce-sweeping-sanctions-in-largest-action-ever-against-southeast-asia-scam-syndicates/) come to officially recognize the extent of the Cambodian elite’s (https://thediplomat.com/2024/09/the-sanctioning-of-ly-yong-phat-milestone-or-mirage/) involvement in the country’s gigantic (https://vodenglish.news/enslaved/) online scamming industry . According to U.S. government agencies, online scamming cost U.S. citizens (https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/us-uk-announce-sweeping-sanctions-in-largest-action-ever-against-southeast-asia-scam-syndicates/) at least $10 billion in 2024. Authors (Sebastian Strangio) (Sebastian Strangio) Staff Author Sebastian Strangio Sebastian Strangio is Southeast Asia editor at The Diplomat. 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(https://thediplomat.com/newsletter/) Get the Newsletter Advertisement Related (https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/is-cambodia-pivoting-to-the-us-by-joining-president-trumps-board-of-peace/) (Is Cambodia Pivoting to the US by Joining President Trump’s Board of Peace?) (Is Cambodia Pivoting to the US by Joining President Trump’s Board of Peace?) Is Cambodia Pivoting to the US by Joining President Trump’s Board of Peace? By Chhay Lim A binary U.S.-China framing obscures the layered and multi-directional character of Cambodia’s current foreign policy. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/cambodia-treads-a-fine-line-between-the-us-china-and-thailand/) (Cambodia Treads a Fine Line Between the US, China, and Thailand) (Cambodia Treads a Fine Line Between the US, China, and Thailand) Cambodia Treads a Fine Line Between the US, China, and Thailand By Luke Hunt The road ahead will be difficult after Anutin Charnvirakul’s election victory in neighboring Thailand. 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