Open AccessA Relation Shaped by Geopolitical Ambitions: The United States and Cambodia during the Cold War
Author(s) -
Vibol Neak
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
ikat : the indonesian journal of southeast asian studies/ikat: the indonesian journal of southeast asian studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2597-9817
pISSN - 2580-6580
DOI - 10.22146/ikat.v3i1.44992
Subject(s) - cold war , geopolitics , supporter , independence (probability theory) , political science , communism , political economy , politics , foreign policy , economic history , development economics , law , history , sociology , economics , genealogy , statistics , mathematics
The diplomatic relation between the United States and Cambodia began during the Cold War, before Cambodia achieved independence from France in 1953. This article examines the political constellation between the two states during the Cold War. The United States had been an ally and a firm supporter of Cambodia at certain times, while also being controversial enemies in other moments. The relationship worsened during the Cold War, and the two countries had gone from allies to enemies. It could be argued that the relationship deteriorated due to several reasons: the US’ foreign policy, which was crafted to contain communism, Cambodia’s failure to be truly neutral as it was often biased to the communist bloc, and the impact of third-party states.