Today, Martha, Les, and Matt discuss the most dangerous escalation in Southeast Asia in over a decade. A deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia—long simmering over disputed territory and sacred temples—has erupted into full-scale fighting. Over just five days, artillery, rockets, and airstrikes left 36 dead and hundreds injured, with civilians fleeing on both sides. President Trump issued an unprecedented economic threat: a 36% tariff on all Thai and Cambodian exports if the conflict doesn’t cease by August 1. The move jolted both economies and raised questions about how American trade power might be used to prevent regional wars.

What does this border conflict say about the limits of diplomacy and economic pressure? Will Trump’s tariff ultimatum succeed where international mediation has failed? And how should the U.S. balance its strategic interests in Southeast Asia as great power rivalries heat up?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/world/asia/thailand-cambodia-ceasefire-talks.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare 

https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/thailand-and-cambodia-consider-cease-fire-after-calls-with-trump-on-border-clashes-5c22f92e 

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@marthamillerdc

@lestermunson

@WMattHayden

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