The end of the United States Air Force bombing campaign in Cambodia in 1973 marked a significant shift in U.S. military operations during the Vietnam War. Initiated under President Richard Nixon, the extensive bombing campaign aimed to dismantle North Vietnamese supply lines and bases located in Cambodian territory. This operation had escalated tensions in the region, drawing criticism both domestically and internationally. The campaign began in 1969 and expanded rapidly, leading to extensive destruction across Cambodian landscapes and increasing anti-war sentiments among the American public.

As U.S. ground troops withdrew from Vietnam, the pressure mounted on the Nixon administration to reassess its military tactics. The changing political climate in the U.S., driven by anti-war protests and increased awareness of the war's impact on civilians in Southeast Asia, forced the administration to reconsider its approach. The decision to end the bombing campaign was announced in response to these pressures and aligned with a broader strategy to shift American foreign policy focus away from direct military engagement in the region.

The conclusion of the bombing campaign signaled a turning point for U.S. relations with Cambodia, which were already complicated. While it aimed to protect U.S. interests, the campaign inadvertently facilitated the rise of the Khmer Rouge, a communist regime that would later commit atrocities during its rule. The end of the bombing campaign not only altered the landscape of Cambodian politics but also reflected a broader transformation in U.S. military engagement policies in Southeast Asia, steering the focus towards diplomacy instead of warfare.