Russia placed maritime diplomacy at the forefront of its latest engagement with Indonesia as a task group from the Russian Federation’s Pacific Fleet arrived at Tanjung Priok Port on Sunday, March 29, 2026, combining naval exercises with an “open ship” public outreach initiative aimed at strengthening defense ties and public understanding between the two nations. … Read more
Indonesia’s landmark trade agreement with the United States is emerging as a new test for the country’s China-built nickel ecosystem, as policymakers attempt to diversify strategic partnerships without destabilizing the investment structure that transformed Indonesia into the world’s dominant producer. The Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), signed in Washington on February 19, 2026, by Coordinating … Read more
In an international system increasingly shaped by major-power competition, smaller diplomatic groupings have gained renewed relevance, not as drivers of global order, but as mechanisms for coordination among states seeking strategic flexibility. MIKTA, an informal partnership between Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye, and Australia, belongs to this category. The five members share three … Read more
As the 2026 ASEAN Chair, the Philippines is intensifying its diplomatic push for a long-delayed Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. Manila insists the final document must explicitly reference the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and aims to finalize the agreement by the end of its chairmanship, … Read more
Indonesia has taken another step in strengthening its maritime defense capability with the arrival of KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321, a new multi-role warship that reflects the country’s broader ambition to operate beyond coastal waters and enhance long-range naval presence. On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Indonesian Navy officially welcomed the vessel at Pier 107, Tanjung Priok … Read more
A surge in global fertilizer prices triggered by the escalating U.S.–Iran conflict is emerging as a major risk to Southeast Asia’s agricultural outlook, potentially constraining fertilizer use and undermining grain production in the 2026/27 crop cycle, according to a new report by BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions. In a research note released on March … Read more
President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed Indonesia’s refusal to pay a proposed US$1 billion (Rp16.9 trillion) contribution tied to “premium” membership in the Board of Peace (BoP), stressing that Jakarta’s involvement remains limited to peacekeeping and humanitarian support. “They stated there are two tiers of membership. If you wish to become a permanent or ‘premium’ member, … Read more
A growing number of Indonesian Islamic organizations and political actors are urging the government to take a more assertive international role by leading a coalition of neutral Muslim-majority countries to push for de-escalation in the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The calls have intensified in March 2026 following the latest wave … Read more
A high-profile meeting between Prabowo Subianto and Indonesia’s fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, is being widely interpreted as a significant step toward political reconciliation, reinforcing national stability amid global economic uncertainty. Held at the Merdeka Palace, the meeting comes as Indonesia navigates both domestic policy priorities and a challenging external environment marked by geopolitical tensions. A … Read more
Amid an increasingly volatile global energy landscape, Indonesia is accelerating efforts to diversify its crude oil supply sources, aiming to strengthen national energy security and shield its economy from external shocks. The strategy reflects a pragmatic shift in policy, as Jakarta seeks to secure supply from a broad range of international partners in response to … Read more