U.S. Army Commander Meets Cambodian Leader to ‘Expand Defense Ties’

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet speaking to the commanding general of the U.S. Army Pacific Ronald Clark during a meeting at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on February 24, 2025. POOL / AFP

A senior U.S. army commander met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Monday to “expand bilateral defense ties,” the Cambodian army said, with Washington having previously raised concerns over the kingdom’s Chinese-renovated naval base.

The United States has said the Ream naval base, located off Cambodia’s southern coast, could give Beijing a key strategic position in the Gulf of Thailand near the disputed South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety.

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by Eric Olander

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