Blowback S5 Episode 10 - "The Terrible But Unfinished Story"
Feb 14, 2025
Dive into the complexities of Cambodia's recovery after the Khmer Rouge, navigating its intricate political shifts in the 1990s. Experience vivid personal stories of landmine victims and the haunting legacy of Pol Pot. Explore the challenges of justice through the Cambodian Genocide Tribunal and reflect on the deep impact of historical trauma on modern Khmer life. Uncover the economic divergence between Cambodia and Vietnam post-2009, along with the geopolitical tensions shaping U.S.-China relations.
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Obstacles to Peace
- The Khmer Rouge, stronger than the UN forces, became a mining and logging syndicate.
- Hun Sen, against UN rules, used his forces to attack political opponents.
Khmer Rouge's Devolution
- The Khmer Rouge, though outlawed after boycotting the 1993 elections, remained active.
- Pol Pot changed his identity, and the movement returned to its roots.
Post-Election Chaos
- Cambodia's UN-sponsored elections in 1993 led to a power struggle between Prince Ranariddh and Hun Sen.
- This resulted in a near collapse of the rule of law and exploitation of Cambodians as cheap labor.