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Why US is splurging US$45 million on Thai-Cambodian border war amid cuts in aid funding
Washington is looking to reposition itself as the main peacemaker in Southeast Asia following Beijing’s mediation successes, analysts say
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Washington’s recent offer of US$45 million in funding to reinforce the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire is a sign that the US is scrambling to regain the upper hand over China in mediating the rift between the Southeast Asian neighbours, according to analysts.
Announcing the funding on Friday, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre said Bangkok and Phnom Penh would strive to implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, signed last year when US President Donald Trump visited the Malaysian capital.
The gesture follows a renewed ceasefire on December 27 and trilateral talks with China in Yunnan province a day later, after a month of fresh border clashes left scores of deaths and millions displaced. The two neighbours have fought intermittently since tensions first flared in late July last year.
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DeSombre said he was confident the ceasefire would hold, telling reporters that the US “is very focused on promoting a safe, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, and all of our efforts globally are intended to help accomplish that goal”.
His remarks came ahead of meetings with senior officials in both capitals to ensure adherence to the ceasefire and discuss wider regional stability.
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