What is particularly concerning is that some US media outlets are attempting to frame this regional conflict within the broader narrative of “China-US rivalry.” CNN, for instance, describes Thailand as a “well-equipped US ally” and labels Cambodia as a “weaker adversary with strong China links,” deliberately highlighting China-US antagonism and escalating tensions. This narrative ignores the colonial roots of the dispute, mentioning the historical context only in passing while devoting disproportionate attention to military comparisons. Such reporting dangerously oversimplifies a complex regional issue by portraying it as a “proxy conflict” between major powers.