US Secretary of Defense Pete Hassett will be able to visit the Royal Thai Navy base in the near future. If it happens, the visit will further strengthen Cambodian-US relations, especially in the defense sector.
The news emerged from a recent meeting between John Noh, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, and Lieutenant General Rat Dararath, the secretary of state for Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense, in Singapore in late May.
During the meeting, the two sides reportedly discussed the upcoming visit of a US Navy ship and joint maritime exercises at Ream, which will be an event of symbolic and strategic importance.
The Ream naval base is a focal point of regional scrutiny, particularly amid concerns about Cambodia’s deepening defense ties with China. The US participation in this base could be a balancing act, showing that Cambodia remains open to broader international cooperation rather than exclusive alliances with any one power or country.
According to a press release from the US Department of Defense after the meeting, John Knopf seemed pleased with Cambodia’s openness. The content of the announced meeting is brief, but it reflects a shift in perspective and new understanding after military relations between the superpower and Cambodia have been tense for years since the late 2010s. The meeting also discussed the possibility of a visit by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to Cambodia, specifically to the Royal Cambodian Navy base.
The open invitation and expected visit by Secretary Pete Hegseth suggests that the current tensions in Cambodian-US military relations may be changing and could pave the way for a more harmonious military-to-military transition. For Cambodia, welcoming the U.S. Navy visit not only enhances its strategic flexibility but also provides an opportunity to benefit from standardized maritime training and enhance the professionalism and naval capabilities that Cambodia is seeking.
For the United States, reengagement with Cambodia is a testament to its broader Indo-Pacific strategy to maintain regional stability, freedom of navigation, and the rule of law.
However, This potential development is seen in a broader geopolitical context. The United States must remain mindful of domestic sensitivities and sovereignty concerns, while Cambodia will need to carefully balance its relations with all major powers to avoid overreliance or strategic miscalculation.
It is worth recalling that in December 2024, a US warship, the USS Sovannah, with a total of 103 sailors, visited Cambodia again for five days. But since Ream was not yet completed, the ship docked at Sihanoukville International Port.
In sum, the planned visit of the US warship and the joint maritime training at Ream, plus the possibility of a visit by Pete Hessett, could reflect the activities that Cambodia is trying to reflect regarding the modernization of the Ream base, which is nothing more than strengthening the capabilities and modernization of its navy.
The upcoming visit of the US Secretary of Defense is a sign of renewed trust and some strategic realignment. If handled with transparency and mutual respect, this cooperation could strengthen regional security and demonstrate Cambodia’s commitment to pursuing an open and inclusive foreign policy.
