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Cambodia cancels military exercise with US
![Cambodia cancels military exercise with US (Photo By U.S. Department of Defense Current Photos (120523-N-NJ145-348) [Public domain])](https://canadianinquirer.net/v1/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/120523-N-NJ145-348_7263239572.jpg)
Cambodia cancels military exercise with US (Photo By U.S. Department of Defense Current Photos (120523-N-NJ145-348) [Public domain])
Defence Ministry spokesman Gen.
Chhum Socheath said Monday the Angkor Sentinel exercise had to be postponed because Cambodian forces would be unable to fully participate as a result of two important events: local elections in June and a six-month campaign to eradicate drug-related crime.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Jay Raman confirmed in an email that the exercises for 2017 and 2018 have been cancelled. He said military exchanges and training programs are not affected.
Southeast Asian nations, even traditional allies of the United States such as the Philippines, have recently drawn closer to China as Beijing flexes its diplomatic and military muscle in the region.
