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Tensions in Southeast Asia have erupted once again as deadly border fighting
between Cambodia and Thailand threatens to unravel a Trump-brokered peace
deal signed only weeks ago. The renewed clashes raise sharp questions about the
durability of Donald Trump’s diplomatic interventions, especially as he continues
to claim that he has “stopped at least eight wars” since returning to the White
House.
This new outbreak of fighting—featuring airstrikes, artillery duels, mass civilian
displacement, and thousands fleeing their homes—highlights a broader pattern:
several conflicts Trump claims to have resolved are still simmering or escalating.
From Gaza to Rwanda–DRC to India–Pakistan, violence is flaring up despite official
ceasefires.
So what is really happening on the Thailand–Cambodia border, and what does it
reveal about Trump’s foreign-policy legacy?
A New Border War: The Collapse of the Thailand–Cambodia Ceasefire
The latest conflict erupted just months after Trump personally announced he had
secured a “CEASEFIRE and PEACE” between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
But on Monday, the fragile truce collapsed.
Casualties and displacement
At least 12 people killed so far
Tens of thousands displaced in Cambodia
Nearly 400,000 evacuated in Thailand
Fighting now spans six Thai border provinces
The renewed hostilities include airstrikes by the Royal Thai Air Force on Cambodian
military installations. Thailand says these actions are retaliatory, claiming
Cambodian artillery killed a Thai soldier and injured several others earlier the
same day.
Cambodia denies this, accusing Thailand of spreading “false information” and
engaging in provocations, including burning homes and forcing civilians to flee.
Why is the ceasefire collapsing?
The ceasefire—first agreed in July and expanded into a broader agreement in
October during a ceremony attended by Trump—has been fragile from the start.
A month ago, Thailand suspended the agreement after a landmine explosion
wounded one of its soldiers. Cambodian analysts argue that the peace deal was
“forced” under the threat of Trump tariffs, making it less stable and less willingly
embraced by both militaries.
Additionally:
ASEAN monitoring teams lack resources
Both governments are under pressure from rising nationalism
The Thai military, a powerful force in domestic politics, was reportedly unhappy
with Trump’s heavy involvement
Border demarcation disputes trace back to colonial-era French maps, a source of
tension for decades
The result: the ceasefire began unraveling almost immediately after being signed.
What Was the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement?
The Kuala Lumpur joint peace declaration, signed in late October, was meant to
build on the July ceasefire. It was witnessed by Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime
Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who served as co-mediators.
Main elements of the agreement
Military de-escalation
Removal of heavy weaponry
Clearing of landmines along the border
Joint supervision by ASEAN monitors
End to “information warfare”
Both sides agreed to halt online propaganda and cyber-operations escalating the
conflict
Commitment to dialogue
Regular bilateral meetings
Direct military communication channels
Yet none of these measures have been effectively enforced. Only weeks later, the
agreement is close to total collapse.
Which Wars Has Trump Claimed to Have Ended?
President Trump frequently highlights his role in brokering ceasefires, claiming
credit for resolving or ending several major conflicts. According to his own
statements, Trump says he has stopped:
Thai–Cambodia border clashes
Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict
Rwanda–DRC war
Israel–Iran fighting
Israel’s war on Gaza
India–Pakistan aerial conflict
Egypt–Ethiopia “war” (which analysts say never took place)
Serbia–Kosovo tensions
Some of these claims are disputed or incorrect, while others involve conflicts that
are still very much active.
1. Rwanda – DR Congo conflict
Trump mediated a deal in June, but fighting never fully stopped.
DRC accused Rwanda of violating the deal this week
Armed groups remain active
Regional tension remains extremely high
2. Israel – Gaza war
Despite Trump citing a “multi-phase Gaza ceasefire” in October:
Israel has killed more than 400 Palestinians since the deal
Violations are ongoing
U.S. weapons continue to support Israeli operations
Trump’s pressure on Netanyahu is reportedly greater than Biden’s—but far from
conclusive
3. Israel – Iran conflict
The June war lasted days and involved:
Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities
U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites ordered by Trump
Iran striking a major U.S. base in Qatar
A ceasefire was reached, but the situation remains extremely volatile.
4. India – Pakistan
In May:
Both sides launched airstrikes on each other’s military bases
Dozens of civilians were reportedly killed
Trump announced a ceasefire after four days
Pakistan credits Trump.
India denies he had any role.
5. Armenia – Azerbaijan
A U.S.-led peace deal was signed at the White House, but Trump later confused
Azerbaijan with Albania during a TV interview, raising doubts about how deeply he
understands these conflicts.
6. Serbia – Kosovo
While relations remain tense, no large-scale war has resumed.
This is one of the few conflicts where Trump’s mediation may have had a lasting
effect.
7. Egypt – Ethiopia
Trump claims he ended a “war” between the two nations, but experts note no such
war ever existed, only tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Why Trump’s Ceasefire Deals Keep Falling Apart
Several patterns are emerging:
1. Forced, rushed, or pressured agreements
Many countries reportedly felt pressured into accepting deals due to:
Threats of U.S. sanctions
Trade tariffs
Loss of military support
This leads to agreements that lack genuine buy-in and collapse quickly.
2. Lack of enforcement
Most ceasefires lack:
Independent monitoring
Funding
Long-term diplomatic engagement
Without these, parties quickly return to fighting.
3. Trump’s personal, leader-to-leader diplomacy
Trump often prefers:
Direct calls with leaders
Social-media announcements
High-profile ceremonies
But this leaves weak institutional frameworks, meaning the agreements don't
survive beyond the headlines.
4. Misunderstandings and misstatements
Confusion—like Trump’s mixing up Azerbaijan and Albania—creates uncertainty
about the seriousness and depth of his involvement.
The New Thailand–Cambodia Fighting: A Test of Trump’s Foreign Policy Narrative
This is the second time in one year that deadly violence erupted despite Trump
claiming to have ended the conflict.
What triggered the new fighting?
According to Thailand:
Cambodia fired artillery at a Thai military base (Anupong Base)
A Thai soldier died
The RTAF launched “proportionate retaliation” against Cambodian positions
According to Cambodia:
Thailand initiated the attack
Cambodia “did not retaliate at all”
Thailand burned homes and forced civilians to flee
Both sides accuse the other of provocations.
Humanitarian impact
Cambodia reports four civilians killed
Dozens injured
Tens of thousands displaced
Thailand has evacuated 400,000 civilians
Fighting now spans nearly the entire border
International reaction
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged de-escalation
Malaysia expressed “deep concern”
The U.S. said Trump expects both sides to honor the ceasefire
But neither side seems ready to back down.
Why This Conflict Matters
This crisis matters not only because of the human cost, but also because it raises
doubts about the credibility of Trump’s global peace initiatives.
If several of the conflicts he claims to have ended are still ongoing or reigniting, it
challenges the core narrative of his foreign-policy achievements.
The Cambodia–Thailand fighting is especially significant because:
It directly contradicts Trump’s declaration of victory
It occurs just months after the signing ceremony he attended
It involves two key U.S. partners in Southeast Asia
It threatens regional stability in the heart of ASEAN
A prolonged war could:
Disrupt trade routes
Trigger refugee flows
Draw in China and other regional powers
Destabilize Southeast Asia’s security landscape
A Region on Edge, and a Diplomatic Legacy Under Scrutiny
The renewed war between Cambodia and Thailand—despite multiple Trump-
backed agreements—highlights the fragility of ceasefires without enforcement,
diplomacy without institutions, and peace deals shaped by political showmanship
rather than a long-term strategy.
As fighting spreads along the border, and as other Trump-brokered conflicts
continue to flare up, the question becomes unavoidable:
How many of the wars Trump claims to have ended are actually over?
For now, the answer seems increasingly clear:
Not many.
