Overview
- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the drills' return after meeting Cambodia's defense chief on Oct. 31 at a security summit in Malaysia.
- The exercises were halted in 2017 following U.S. criticism of Cambodia's human-rights record and democratic backsliding.
- The defense chiefs discussed a possible U.S. naval ship visit to Cambodia's Ream Naval Base, which Washington has long warned could see Chinese military access.
- Prime Minister Hun Manet said he and FBI Director Kash Patel agreed to deepen cooperation following a phone call this week.
- Cambodian officials said they have tightened anti-money-laundering rules and plan crackdowns on scam centers to bolster financial credibility.