Foreign Policy - Indonesia at Melbourne

After 75 years, it’s high time for RI-Oz special strategic partnership

With strategic trust between the two countries at a high, Canberra should seize this moment to call for an elevation of Australia-Indonesia ties to a Special Strategic Partnership (SSP).

Prabowo in China: new president’s realpolitik diplomacy stirs up Indonesian diplomats

Analysis, Foreign Policy

The foreign policy fiasco created by the Beijing joint statement could be the first of many foreign policy surprises from Prabowo. It reflects what are likely to be two key features of Indonesia’s foreign policy under his leadership: Prabowo’s ‘hands-on’ leadership style and his realpolitik ideology.

A Prabowo and Sugiono foreign policy: substantive or performative change?

Analysis, Foreign Policy

The fact that Prabowo retained 18 members of Jokowi’s cabinet – Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister and Airlangga Hartarto as coordinating economy minister are among the notables he retained – but appointed Sugiono as his foreign minister, rather than reappoint the experienced Retno Marsudi, clearly signalled that Prabowo intends to be heavily involved in foreign policy making decisions.

Questioning Indonesia's approach to the Taiwan Strait

Foreign Policy, Policies, Security

Indonesia appears to be paying little attention to the latest political dynamics in Taiwan, even though they could well disrupt the status quo of cross-strait relations.

OECD: Why is Indonesia trying to join ‘the rich club’?

Economy, Explainer, Foreign Policy

On 2 May 2024, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) presented Airlangga Hartarto, the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, with a roadmap to guide accession discussions with Indonesia. The OECD review could have a big impact on Indonesia’s political and economic system. So what’s in it for Indonesia?

Indonesia, Israel and the OECD: What is really going on?

Foreign Policy, Politics

The recent revelation that Indonesia is considering normalising ties with Israel as part of its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has surprised the international community and the Indonesian public. The Indonesian government’s actual stance remains ambiguous. However, any move to normalise relations with Israel could have major repercussions for Indonesian foreign policy and the domestic political landscape.

Prabowo’s China dilemma

Economy, Foreign Policy

Since Jokowi came to power, China has become Indonesia’s biggest trading partner and a major source of investment. Indonesia has benefited from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and China’s investment in the local nickel industry has been pivotal in accelerating Indonesia’s dominance in that industry. So it is not surprising that Prabowo visited China earlier this month, well ahead of his formal inauguration.

China-Indonesia economic cooperation cannot continue to overlook human security

Economy, Environment, Foreign Policy

For national elites, China is now widely seen as a providential partner whose capital and technology are pivotal for a development agenda centred on infrastructure, digitalisation and downstreaming activities. But while Chinese funding has helped Indonesia rise up the value chain, it is clear this comes at a high cost to local people and the natural environment.

Is the Duterte-Marcos rift a glimpse into the future of the Jokowi-Prabowo alliance?

Foreign Policy, Politics, Uncategorized

Several pundits have drawn comparisons between the Prabowo-Widodo and Marcos-Duterte alliances. So does the recent Duterte-Marcos dispute offer lessons on the long-term viability of these power sharing arrangements? And does it expose possible fault lines to watch out for in the Indonesia context?

Posted in: Foreign Policy