Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is currently at the center of several significant issues. A border conflict with Thailand, involving deadly clashes and captured soldiers, has prompted a surge of national unity and displacement. This conflict also influenced Cambodia's recent ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Simultaneously, Phnom Penh is grappling with a massive crackdown on cyberscam networks, which have become a significant part of the Cambodian economy. Thousands of individuals, including trafficking victims, have been released from these scam centers following international pressure. The US has pledged $45 million in aid to support border stabilization and combat cyberscams. These events highlight Phnom Penh's vulnerability to regional conflicts and its struggle to address the economic and social consequences of the scam industry, all while navigating international scrutiny and economic shifts related to US trade policies.