Cambodia must conduct “Realism” in its foreign affairs policy

Posted by: | Posted on: January 30, 2017

Political Paradigm of Pragmatism from the Khmer Youth part 95

This part (95), Mr. Sophan persuasively analysed the importance of foreign policy for Cambodia to maximize nation’s interests of the Kingdom. As Cambodia has been seen as influenced by major changes of international affairs, directing her foreign policy leaning to any super power without having strong internal national institution is not realistic as IR coined it “Realism”.

Courtesy: Stephen M. Walt

Courtesy: Stephen M. Walt

After Cambodia worked to make a favour from China in many aspects, the recent official visit of Vietnamese president to China, and the visit of Vice President of USA to Hanoi, and the upcoming visit of Prime Minister of Japan to Hanoi, all are signs that Vietnam has tried to maximize interests for their nation. Vietnam can make friend with China, their historical foe, while Vietnam signed many agreements with USA and its allies. This reminded us during the post-cold war while China aided Vietnam to overcome USA, Vietnam can unify North Vietnam and South Vietnam eventually, and without procrastinating, Vietnam untied themselves from China with plan to invade Cambodia in January 7, 1979. By turning to Russia who is enemy of China, Vietnam can ensure its independence sovereignty from China as well as maximize its national interests through occupying Cambodia.

Right now, Cambodia should learn to conduct “realism” for its best collective interests for this nation.





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