Indonesia and Australia are preparing to open a new chapter in their diplomatic relations. Shortly after the general election in Indonesia in February, the winner of the election, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, met with Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles in Jakarta. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in the defense sector … Read more
Separatist rebels in Papua say that they are ready to release a New Zealand pilot, a year to the day after taking him hostage in a remote part of the restive region of eastern Indonesia. Philip Mehrtens was abducted by independence fighters on February 7, 2023, shortly after his single-engine plane touched down at an … Read more
Continuing on from my previous analysis of the foreign policy orientation of Indonesian presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo, this article will examine where Prabowo Subianto stands on these issues. Prabowo, Indonesia’s current minister of defense, is running for the presidency for the third time, after falling short against President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in 2014 and 2019. … Read more
Advertisement On August 28, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources released a new, government-sanctioned, “standard map,” which drew immediate attention for a particular detail: a 10-dash line in the South China Sea. Previously known as the “nine-dash line,” the Chinese maritime claim encroaches upon the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and … Read more
Advertisement Indonesia’s progress on major defense acquisitions under Minister of Defense and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto has continued apace in recent weeks. A long-gestating deal for Indonesia to buy 24 F-15 fighter jets moved one step closer to completion in August, as Prabowo flew to the United States and inked a Memorandum of Understanding with … Read more
Advertisement Indonesia is strategically located in Southeast Asia, with a vast archipelago stretching between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its location makes it a critical maritime hub, connecting major shipping routes between Europe, East Asia and Australia. This gives Indonesia significant geopolitical importance and makes it a focal point for regional and global interests. Indonesia’s … Read more