Phnom Penh and Washington Edge Toward Military Reset with Talks on Joint Exercises
PHNOM PENH — After years of strained ties and strategic mistrust, Cambodia and the United States are cautiously moving to revive military cooperation, opening talks to restart joint exercises as relations show signs of a broader reset.
Cambodian and U.S. military officials met on March 31 to begin preliminary planning for the possible return of the Angkor Sentinel exercises, a flagship bilateral training program that has been on hold since 2017.
First launched in 2010, Angkor Sentinel brought together the U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and the Royal Cambodian Army (RCA) for large-scale peacekeeping and joint operations training. The exercises were suspended as diplomatic relations cooled, but Phnom Penh signaled interest in reviving them in 2025 as ties began to warm.
The latest talks, held at the Royal Cambodian Army headquarters, were co-chaired by Major General Heng Makara, deputy commander of the RCA, and Major General Giles J.S. Cornelia, deputy commanding general of USARPAC.
According to the RCA, both sides discussed initial plans to resume the exercises, emphasizing their role in strengthening joint operational capabilities and rebuilding military-to-military trust.
The meeting also included Army Staff Talks, a mechanism aimed at deepening cooperation and creating a structured platform to coordinate annual bilateral activities. Officials exchanged views on key areas of collaboration and explored ways to make the partnership more consistent and effective.
A day earlier, Cornelia met with RCA commander General Mao Sophan, where both sides reiterated their commitment to expanding defense ties and enhancing practical cooperation between the two armies.
Beyond symbolism, the proposed revival of Angkor Sentinel is expected to focus on improving interoperability and readiness through joint training—an area both militaries see as critical to future engagement.
The renewed momentum follows a series of signals that relations between Phnom Penh and Washington are stabilizing after years of tension.
In July 2025, the two countries held their first formal defense dialogue since 2017, laying the groundwork for renewed cooperation, including the possibility of joint exercises. Naval engagement has also picked up. In January 2026, the USS Cincinnati became the first U.S. warship to dock at Ream Naval Base following its renovation, a visit closely watched by regional observers.
Ream Naval Base has long been a point of friction, with Washington expressing concern that Cambodia could grant China exclusive access to the facility, which Beijing helped redevelop. Phnom Penh has repeatedly denied the allegation, pointing to its Constitution, which prohibits foreign military bases on its soil.
Earlier, in December 2024, the USS Savannah, a U.S. littoral combat ship, made a five-day port call in Sihanoukville—another early sign of a gradual reset in bilateral defense ties.
While significant gaps remain, the renewed push to restart joint exercises suggests both countries are testing the waters of a more pragmatic and cooperative phase in their relationship.
