Strategic Forum. Number 251, December 2009. U.S.-Cambodia Defense Relations: Defining New Possibilities
Abstract
Cambodia's lax border controls, widespread corruption, extremely active arms trade, and surfeit of small arms remaining from the Third Indochina War have made Phnom Penh an attractive platform for transient interests, as well as a staging ground for numerous activities that challenge the safety and well being of the region. China has actively pursued security ties with Cambodia through modest assistance programs whose significance has been magnified by the lack of similar U.S. efforts, which were severely curtailed as a result of congressionally imposed restrictions in the aftermath of the 1997 coup. U.S. interests in Southeast Asia would be well served by a stepped-up program of cooperation with Cambodia in areas such as counterterrorism, peacekeeping, counternarcotics, disaster response, and stability operations. U.S. early investment in Cambodia's future, beginning with support for the regional peace process, would provide a useful foundation for cooperation between the two countries that would have beneficial impact for Southeast Asia as a whole.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA514282
Entities
People
- Lewis M. Stern
Organizations
- National Defense University