Analysts advise not to stoke proxy war

Prominent security and foreign affairs scholars have raised red flags about the escalating Thai-Cambodian conflict, warning that it risks descending into a regional proxy war between the US and China.

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

Panitan Wattanayagorn, an independent national security scholar, said the Trump administration’s use of tariffs as leverage in ceasefire negotiations shows the US president's broader campaign promise to act as a global peacemaker.

By linking economic tools to security matters, the US gains influence in both spheres and keeps domestic political interests in play.

Mr Panitan warned that China's early move to offer mediation had triggered a US urgency to act first. “Cambodia was smart — they invited China early. Now Beijing’s involvement has deepened the geopolitical complexity,” he said.