Lon Nol was a Cambodian military officer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Cambodia from 1966 to 1972. He played a significant role in the Cambodian government during the Vietnam War, aligning with the United States against the communist forces in the region. In 1970, Lon Nol led a coup that overthrew the monarchy of King Norodom Sihanouk, establishing a republican government. His regime faced challenges, including internal conflict and the rise of the Khmer Rouge, which ultimately led to his downfall in 1975 when the communist forces took control of Cambodia.