Secretary Austin seeks to forge a relationship after the strong ties of the nation’s previous minister to China.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Cambodian leadership to discuss ways the U.S. and Cambodia could resume joint military training for disaster assistance and U.N. peacekeeping.
“We had substantive conversations about ways to strengthen U.S.-Cambodian defense ties, and I’m looking forward to further dialogue,” Secretary Austin stated.
The defense secretary held separate meetings with the new Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Manet, and his father, Senate President Hun Sen, who served as the country’s previous prime minister for 38 years before his tenure ended last year. Hun Sen had organized close military ties with China, kicking off annual joint military exercises with the country in 2016 and ending annual drills with the U.S. in 2017.
The Pentagon is trying to develop a relationship with the new Prime Minister Hun Manet that aligns more closely with the U.S., though Cambodia’s annual military drill with China was still held last month.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Pentagon officials to be prudent in their alliances and partnerships with foreign military leaders.
- For wisdom for U.S. Armed Forces commanders as they oversee operations around the world.
Sources: VOA News, AP News
