Bektimirova Nadezhda , Sarycheva Maria

The Trajectory of Cambodia’s Political Development in 2025-2026

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2026, №1(70), 137-152

 
Annotation: The article is devoted to an analysis of Cambodia’s political development in 2025-2026 amid an ongoing generational transition of power and the efforts of a younger leadership to preserve the stability of the existing political system while simultaneously improving the effectiveness of public administration. Particular attention is paid to administrative reform, the modernization of the state apparatus, and the formation of a more coherent model of social policy aimed at supporting vulnerable groups and developing human capital. The implementation of these transformations is taking place under conditions of serious internal and external challenges. The border conflict with Thailand in the summer of 2025 became an important test of the resilience of the political system, revealing vulnerabilities in the security sphere. A particularly acute problem for the state has been the activity of transnational fraud networks – the so-called scam centers – associated with cybercrime. Increased international pressure and intensified efforts to combat this industry have become part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic legitimacy and the country’s international reputation.

Keywords: Cambodia, power transition, administrative reform, social policy, border conflict, cybercrime, scam centers