Cambodia’s military has announced it will restart joint military exercises with the United States in early 2027, ending a decade-long pause. The Royal Cambodian Army shared the news on its Facebook page, revealing that the exercises, called "Exercise Angkor Sentinel 2027," will take place in February. This decision follows recent high-level meetings between defense officials from both countries, aimed at improving bilateral relations and strengthening defense cooperation. The resumption of these exercises signals a renewed effort to build military ties between Cambodia and the U.S. According to the Royal Cambodian Army, the drills will focus on improving "interoperability" — the ability of different military forces to work together — and enhancing disaster response capabilities. This marks a shift in regional military dynamics, as both nations seek to deepen their strategic partnership. The U.S. has raised concerns about Cambodia’s growing economic and political ties with China, particularly regarding a naval base on the Gulf of Thailand that China has helped upgrade. While Washington has suggested that China may have received special privileges at the base, Cambodian officials have consistently denied these claims. Additionally, the U.S. has criticized Cambodia’s human rights record, including restrictions on political dissent and the use of legal measures against critics, which human rights groups say are influenced by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, led by Prime Minister Hun Manet. During a meeting in August, Hun Manet discussed defense and bilateral relations with Elbridge A. Colby, a senior U.S. defense official. Hun Manet expressed satisfaction with the progress in preparing for the upcoming exercises and emphasized the importance of military cooperation in building Cambodia’s defense capabilities. The meeting also included discussions with U.S. Navy Admiral Steve Koehler, who confirmed plans to resume a maritime exercise that had been paused in 2017. These developments indicate a growing alignment between the two nations in military and strategic matters.