Politics

Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire after clashes

Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire, ending border clashes that claimed over 100 lives and displaced half a million residents

Published

2 months ago

December 29, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Thailand and Cambodia agree to a ceasefire, ending border clashes that claimed over 100 lives and displaced half a million residents

In Short:
– Thailand and Cambodia have signed a ceasefire to end a three-week border conflict, causing over 100 deaths.
– The agreement mandates an immediate halt to hostilities and maintains current troop levels.

Thailand and Cambodia have signed a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending nearly three weeks of intense border clashes that killed more than 100 people and displaced more than half a million civilians. The agreement was signed on Saturday at a border checkpoint in Thailand’s Chanthaburi province by senior defence officials from both countries and came into effect at noon local time on December 27.

The joint statement calls for an immediate halt to all military activity, including the use of heavy weapons, airstrikes and attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure. Both sides also agreed to maintain their current troop deployments, warning that any further movement or reinforcement could escalate tensions and undermine longer-term peace efforts.

The latest fighting erupted in early December after the collapse of a previous ceasefire agreement brokered in October by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. That truce unravelled following a landmine incident in November that injured several Thai soldiers, reigniting long-standing tensions along the 800-kilometre shared border.

Humanitarian crisis

Clashes quickly escalated between December 7 and 8, with F-16 airstrikes, artillery barrages and rocket fire reported across multiple border provinces. Cambodia reported at least 18 civilian deaths by mid-December, while Thailand confirmed military casualties of at least 21 soldiers. The violence triggered a major humanitarian crisis, forcing nearly 500,000 Cambodians and more than 150,000 Thais to flee their homes and seek refuge in government-run shelters.

Diplomatic pressure intensified in the days leading up to the ceasefire. Talks were held under the General Border Committee framework between December 24 and 26, while ASEAN foreign ministers convened an emergency meeting in Kuala Lumpur, urging both countries to exercise maximum restraint and honour previous peace commitments.

Fragile truce

The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has deep historical roots, stemming from disagreements over colonial-era border demarcations and competing claims over ancient temple sites, including the Preah Vihear temple. Although the International Court of Justice ruled in Cambodia’s favour in 1962 and again in 2013, tensions have periodically flared into violence.

Thai Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit said the ceasefire would be closely monitored over the next 72 hours, as both sides assess whether the fragile truce can hold after months of escalating hostilities.

Politics

Pentagon clashes with Anthropic over AI safeguards amid Iran conflict

Pentagon vs. Anthropic: clash over AI’s role in military sparks ethical debate on autonomous weapons and privacy.

Published

9 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Pentagon vs. Anthropic: clash over AI’s role in military sparks ethical debate on autonomous weapons and privacy.

The Pentagon and AI company Anthropic are clashing over the role of artificial intelligence in military operations. As bombs struck Iran, the Pentagon demanded Anthropic remove safeguards from its AI models, claiming the technology was involved in the campaign.

Anthropic refused, sparking a debate over ethics, accountability, and the limits of AI in defence.

Professor Chris Berg from RMIT University breaks down the Pentagon’s demands, the risk of contract termination, and what this conflict could mean for the future of autonomous weapons. The standoff underscores the tension between national security imperatives and public concerns about privacy and safety.

From AI safeguards to surveillance, this story examines the high-stakes battle between government authority and ethical tech.

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#AIethics #NationalSecurity #Pentagon #Anthropic #AIinDefense #TechNews #PrivacyMatters #AutonomousWeapons

Politics

Angus Taylor pushes bipartisan taskforce on carbon tariffs and spending cuts

Angus Taylor urges bipartisan collaboration on carbon tariffs, advocating for spending cuts to protect Australia’s economy and industries.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 16, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Angus Taylor urges bipartisan collaboration on carbon tariffs, advocating for spending cuts to protect Australia’s economy and industries.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor is urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to form a bipartisan task force to tackle carbon tariffs and propose essential government spending cuts. Taylor argues that cross-party collaboration is crucial to safeguard Australian industries and the economy from escalating carbon-related costs.

Taylor highlights specific areas for spending reductions while emphasising the need for major parties to work together. His proposals aim to balance environmental responsibilities with economic growth, sparking debate on how Australia should navigate its carbon policy.

Professor Chris Berg from RMIT University discusses the implications of Taylor’s stance and what it could mean for Australia’s economic future.

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Politics

Sussan Ley faces leadership pressure amid coalition turmoil

Sussan Ley faces rising pressure as Liberal Party dissent grows; political stability at risk, per Chris Berg.

Published

3 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Sussan Ley faces rising pressure as Liberal Party dissent grows; political stability at risk, per Chris Berg.

Liberal leader Sussan Ley is under growing pressure less than a year into her role, as internal party dissent intensifies and narratives form questioning her judgement. Political insiders suggest her leadership could face serious challenges in the coming months.

Professor Chris Berg from RMIT University breaks down the forces driving instability in Australian politics, examining how party dynamics and public perception influence leadership survival.

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#SussanLey #AustralianPolitics #LiberalParty #LeadershipCrisis #PoliticalAnalysis #ChrisBerg #RMITUniversity #TickerNews