Indonesia: The Balance of Power in Asia

Indonesia is at the heart of global geopolitical competition, being Southeast Asia's largest economy and most populous state. Their rapid development is putting them on track to hold the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, yet the United States has focused very little on improving bilateral relations, increasing trade, or expanding military ties. Ireland, with its 5 million people, trades more with the US than Indonesia, with its 270 million.

We analyse the challenges Indonesia must overcome to fulfil its potential, and the importance it holds for the region and wider geopolitical interests in the Indo-Pacific.

On the panel for this episode was:
Kyle Springer (US Asia Centre)
Natalie Sambhi (Verve Research)
Gordon Flake (US Asia Centre)

Animated by Marisa Rafter
Voiced by Michael Hilliard
Written by Michael Hilliard and Owen Swift
Concept Art by Marisa Rafter

[Dedek-cxkn]

My Germany buddy, as a telecom consultant said that Indonesia is very challenging, is not easy doing build the telecom, electrical, road, etc infrastructure in Indonesia. Not like India, Brazil or South Africa as the subcontinent country, Indonesia has 17.000 more islands, and 6.000 more are habitant. It's not easy connecting whole of islands, nature challange, earth quake, eruption, roughest sea, volcanic mountains, with thousand ethnic and local languages. with a million complex problems. Big country with big problems. How Indonesia become in one nation. He was still amaze.

[nisscharostislav]

2:21 give me goosebumps 😱... Thank you for discovering country that I love so much 🇮🇩 greeting from 🇷🇺 spasibo, let's go indonesia

[bapakjimin]

Don't worry, now youth Indonesia slowly but sure to be smarter than previous generation. We create more intelligent power day by day. Last time we are underestimated, but we are fast learning to moving toward. I am Indonesian and I have studied to another country to transfer technology and I was teaching in my country. I teach computers programmer, and so on. So my target I can create more people smarter than me. You will see so many youth people very smart and good skill such as electronics, they can make own electric motor, they can manufacturing etc. All can we make it in near future. Now Indonesia the biggest netizen in the world, internet just come one decade to my country. You will see the biggest technology growing in Indonesia. Because we have different gen than others country such as China, Korea, etc. We have hyper creative gen and this is our unique talent. I love my country Indonesia

[ecave]

Funny thing is that while in some military superpower like South Korea have something like a forced military service, in Indonesia some problem arise because too many people want to join the army
Edit: alright, my definition of superpower is wrong but imma keep it there

[miruz]

The problem with Indonesia is, that it is too comfortable living here so the people are lazy and less ambitious, even when you mention poor citizen, poor citizen in Indonesia still eats 3 meals a day and owns a cellphone. There are no wars, the crime rate is low, and life is so mundane that a small celebrity mishap becomes a huge problem to us lol.

[heypen]

I think after reading The Jakarta's Method books, this country has been soft with the west since Soekarno's defeat in 1965. All their foreign policy might be soft-controlled by west too. On my notes, Indonesia once out from UN in 1964 that's bold and brave moves for new country. But, yeah agreed this country is a global trading crossroad. Indonesia can easily influence or maybe controlled global trading route.

[harukrentz]

Indonesia is the key for both China and Australia. China will be foolish if they ever antagonized or even attack Indonesia knowing really well that Indonesia is emphasing neutrality policy which is rarity for a country as big as them, in the same time Indonesia is acting like "shield" protecting Australia from China's hard invasion coz the Chinese are gonna need to occupy the archipelago first before mounting the attack on Australia's soil.

[BlazingiZZi]

As a Malaysian, would love to read more on this as the growing political and economic power of Indonesia will surely effects its neighbours

[capoeiranger]

US: We are going to be the WESTERN superpower !
China: We are going to be the EASTERN superpower !

Indonesia: We are going to just sip the coconut water and relax on the beach. Now, who's coming?

[youngalfa]

Doctrine among 255 milion Indonesia people : "Better to die than surrender to the enemy" .
This shows how much Indonesian people love their country.
They always says : "Freedom Or Death"

[tekadsaja]

although in Indonesia there is no war but every army registration there are always many young people who want to join, being a soldier is pride in Indonesia, Because the army is more respected and trusted by Indonesians than the police, There are many military tasks that make people happy, such as building roads in villages, building bridges, help when there is a natural disaster, teaching in rural areas

[arihs]

5:04 as the former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, Susi Pudjiastuti, said, "sink 'em all!"

[kakfafadillahe]

Terima kasih sir for explain about my country 🇮🇩 and its potential in current era (from geopolitic until economy)

[davidsugijanto]

I surprised you talked about Indonesia geopolitics without telling about non-alignment. Every time you ask an Indonesian which side Indonesian government is, they will almost always say non-alignment. Indonesia was even the one that create non-alignment movement during cold war through Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung (which probably piss America a lot because some of the country joining is strategically important and also a lot of countries that joined were kinda communist, even Indonesia itself). Every school thought that Indonesia foreign policy is free (non-alignment) and active (at mantaining peace). China is the largest Indonesia trade partner, but Indonesia also increase trade partner with US to counter-balance. Indonesian jet fighter come from Russia, US, and France. "the benefits of non-alignment is if the US blocks their arms trade, just buy from Soviet " - my legendary history teacher.

Example of recent non-alignment action, Australia is Indonesia's friend but when they joined AUKUS and talked about nuclear sub, Indonesia opposed, Indonesia opposed and responded by buying ship, submarine, and jet fighter from France (which also oppose AUKUS) because the government anticipate arms race in Southeast Asia. This was ironically restrain China control in South China Sea even more which was probably what Australia wants (of course Australia control was also restricted although I haven't heard news about that).

If you want to now the people's view, well, it's very random. The people don't like France, don't like US, like US, don't like Malaysia, love Australia (a lot), no opinion on China, no opinion on East Timor, like Bangladesh, love Saudi Arabia, like Turkey, hate Israel a lot, love Palestine. Keep in mind, this is just my lazy observation. The people's opinion varies a lot and can changes so much, you could almost say they hates all countries and overpo... actually you know what, I'm too lazy to write the rest, like a lot of this probably wrong already. Ignore 3rd paragraph. Time to get back to depression

[JuanGomez-sslc]

Very informative video. I'd like to reiterate one thing though, that they are doing a good job in poverty. The poverty or villages in Indonesia (kampungs) are very different than that of China or India. They might be poor, but they have 3 meals a day, a cell phone, and internet avaliable. It's a fertile land with plenty of food for all. They are doing good with the electricity problem, I've seen power outlets in the literal JUNGLE at some little hut. How? Beats me..but progress is being made here

[MichaelHarto]

I hope asean countries grow more solid. It's one of the most important thing in order for our region to grow in power.

[pedrotomcat]

3:35 as an eastern Indonesian, i can say this is not really..
Yes It's common to see a house with the solar system built in. Especially at some places which the national electricity company does not reach yet. But by the time, they slowly penetrate as the infrastructure growth by the present gov.

[rachelciel]

Indonesia had always been that slippery land that people sometimes avoid to talk about. That one point in history Indonesia was slightly tilted to the eastern block with its friendship with USSR, the local Communist Party staged a rebel that would later on recalled as a national tragedy which turned Indonesia's neutrality towards Communism into extreme hatred, now why would that happen so suddenly and at a critical stage of Cold War too, hm? Afterwards, a new president was installed and the new president for some reason leaned heavily to western block. When all of that had ended, none dared to have an open talk with Indonesia again. Russia kept the warm friendship but didn't overtly display affection like in the past with USSR and USA also maintained a pretty much indifferent and subtle approach. Why is this? It's not because the natural resource has run out, nope. In fact, it didn't really change much from the past, but no one dared to be as close as they used to be in the past.

Why? IMO, they're keeping the lukewarm status quo to keep in check the other side. They also mostly kept Indonesia out of the heavy talk because the least they need is more attention to Indonesia. Indonesia is like the forbidden land that everyone wanted but dared not to touch because it will, IT WILL, alarm your enemies who will do everything they could to destroy any budding affection you carved with it.

[garudadua]

We have been testing the water..
When china fishing boats sailed around North Natuna...guarded by their guard boat... And then suddenly Indonesia carried out coal export ban... Only one month.

And China as a country that import 65 % of its domestic demand from Indonesia was Stunning...
And then
After Japan, Korea complained about the Indonesia coal export Policy.. followed by Jin Ping that phoned on Jokowi by direct call,
Indonesia's Coal Export policy to China started to deliver it again.

BUT
finally, There were no China Fishing boats anymore within Indonesia North Natuna sea.

Thats the Indonesian way...
Not too many talks..
just showing it's unpleasant gesture...
You knew it.. didn't you.

[krishdewan]

As an Indian Would always support Indonesia... We share the same rich cultural heritage of the past.. we believe in our ancestors ... And even though Indonesia has become a Muslim country they still respect and preserve their ancestral heritage .. which i love and admire.. <3 from India