Cambodia’s Foreign Policy: A SWOT Analysis

Cambodia’s Foreign Policy: A SWOT Analysis

The world stands at an inflection point, marked by high uncertainty, unpredictability, geopolitical risks, and vulnerabilities.

Strategic trust among nations is eroding, and global governance is in decline.

Multilateralism and the rules-based international order are weakening due to rising protectionism, unilateralism, and inward-looking political leadership.

For small states like Cambodia, navigating the increasingly complex and competitive geopolitical landscape is an uphill struggle.

Cambodia’s foreign policy is being tested by major power rivalries and the diminishing role of multilateral institutions.

Applying a SWOT analysis—assessing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—provides a useful framework to evaluate Cambodia’s strategic positioning and its capacity to safeguard core national interests.

Strengths
One of Cambodia’s foremost strengths in foreign policy is national unity. The cohesion among the key institutions that shape foreign policy—the state, the ruling party, and the parliament—ensures a consistent and coordinated approach in international affairs. This unity allows Cambodia to project stability and reliability in its diplomatic engagements.

Strategic foresight and leadership, particularly under the guidance of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, have also been instrumental in shaping Cambodia’s foreign policy. Indeed, he is the architect of Cambodia’s foreign policy.

Hun Sen’s experience and deep understanding of regional and global affairs provide continuity and pragmatism in decision-making. His leadership has helped Cambodia maintain a flexible, pragmatic and balanced foreign policy while advancing national interests.

Weaknesses
Despite these strengths, Cambodia faces key weaknesses in its foreign policy infrastructure. One significant gap is the lack of intelligence collection and analysis, which limits the country’s ability to make data-driven decisions and anticipate geopolitical shifts. Strategic foresight requires a robust system of information gathering and scenario analysis, which Cambodia must enhance to remain proactive in its diplomacy.

Another notable weakness is the absence of an effective strategic communication strategy. Foreign policy requires clear, consistent, and persuasive messaging to convey national positions and counter misinformation. Without a well-coordinated communication framework, Cambodia risks being misunderstood or misrepresented in the international arena.

Threats
Cambodia’s sovereignty and political stability face external threats. Foreign interference and the potential for color revolutions remain concerns, as external actors may seek to influence domestic affairs under various pretexts. Such interference could undermine national unity and derail Cambodia’s peace and development trajectory.

Additionally, sovereignty disputes and territorial integrity issues with immediate neighbors are complex structural challenges deeply rooted in history and identity politics. Ultranationalist or extremist groups may exploit historical grievances to stir tensions or conflicts. This necessitates diplomatic vigilance and effective confidence building measures and preventive diplomacy.