U.S. Warship’s Visit to Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base: Unmasking Strategic Ambiguities Amid China’s Growing Influence

The arrival of the USS Cincinnati at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base on January 24th marks a significant moment in a maritime theater increasingly shaped by Chinese expansionism. This visit—the first by a U.S. Navy warship since China-funded renovations completed last year—raises critical questions about regional sovereignty and America’s ability to counterbalance Beijing’s strategic encroachments. China’s investment transformed Ream with a new pier and dry dock, fueling justified American concerns that the base may effectively serve as an unsanctioned Chinese outpost in the Gulf of Thailand. Despite Cambodian denials of any exclusive military deal with China, reports have lingered since 2019...