Against China’s Influence
Published in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
(Germany) on 28 July 2025
by Nikolas Busse (link to
original)
The fact that Trump is trying to secure a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand demonstrates yet again that he is not changing everything. America is adhering to its old role in Southeast Asia.
Border disputes in Southeast Asia, as in other areas of the world with a colonial past, still hold strong potential for becoming more serious conflicts. In the case of Thailand and Cambodia, those disputes are now entwined with the political and business interests of two ruling families, also not atypical for the region.
Still, the country currently heading the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has negotiated a ceasefire. Collaboration in the regional organization has deescalated several conflicts over the decades, even if it could not prevent a military confrontation from breaking out this time. But in this, Southeast Asia is no different from the rest of the world. In many places, people are taking up arms more quickly.
Not an Alliance Like NATO
The role of the United States is interesting. For some time, the U.S. has been the (informal) protector against China for many countries in the region, even without the existence of an alliance like NATO. Now Donald Trump is also trying to carry out this role, even though he was, in fact, elected with isolationist promises.
The fact that he, too, advocated for a ceasefire may service his ambition to be a global peacemaker, but it is also taking place within a geopolitical context. China is trying to expand its influence in Southeast Asia, and Cambodia, in particular, has a toehold in this economically important region. (Europe is, as usual, nowhere to be seen.)
Border disputes in Southeast Asia, as in other areas of the world with a colonial past, still hold strong potential for becoming more serious conflicts. In the case of Thailand and Cambodia, those disputes are now entwined with the political and business interests of two ruling families, also not atypical for the region.
Still, the country currently heading the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has negotiated a ceasefire. Collaboration in the regional organization has deescalated several conflicts over the decades, even if it could not prevent a military confrontation from breaking out this time. But in this, Southeast Asia is no different from the rest of the world. In many places, people are taking up arms more quickly.
Not an Alliance Like NATO
The role of the United States is interesting. For some time, the U.S. has been the (informal) protector against China for many countries in the region, even without the existence of an alliance like NATO. Now Donald Trump is also trying to carry out this role, even though he was, in fact, elected with isolationist promises.
The fact that he, too, advocated for a ceasefire may service his ambition to be a global peacemaker, but it is also taking place within a geopolitical context. China is trying to expand its influence in Southeast Asia, and Cambodia, in particular, has a toehold in this economically important region. (Europe is, as usual, nowhere to be seen.)
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