Part 5/15:
Starting in November, a US military advisory team has been stationed at Phnom Penh, and upcoming joint exercises such as the Encore Sentinel—suspended for eight years—will resume in 2026. Cambodia is also transitioning towards NATO-standard military training, adopting English language command systems, and gaining access to advanced guided weapons, drones, patrol boats, and light armored vehicles. Notably, Cambodia has been invited to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, the world’s largest maritime warfare drill, reflecting its ambitions to elevate its military capabilities significantly—potentially by 5 to 10 years within a short span.