Will Indonesia Join the U.S or China?

Indonesia has grown larger and more powerful since the end of the cold war, quietly becoming the biggest Economy in Southeast Asia and the fourth most populous country in the world. They have a massive military of 400,000 personnel as of 2023, the same year that they approved a 20% increase to their defense spending. Physically connecting the Indian and Pacific Ocean is the nation of Indonesia where 60% of the worlds maritime trade passes through this region. Indonesia is a major part of the 10 member Association of SouthEast Asian Nations or (AH-see-ahn) ASEAN. When combined as a whole, they rank as the fifth-largest economy with a combined population of 662 million people and a GDP of 10 trillion or 6.5% of the global GDP. They’re kind of a big deal. For context NATO has about 900 million people under their security umbrella.

So now it’s becoming more clear why both the United States and China are investing Billions of dollars competing for Indonesia's affection trying to win them over as an ally and a bestie. But We’ll see how Indonesia’s foreign policy of aggressive neutrality might be one of the biggest factors preventing war between the US and China right now. The non aligned policy of a country halfway around the world from you might prevent armageddon. How does Indonesia’s unique history explain this stance? What are the reasons Indonesia is suspicious of any potential U.S or Chinese alliance? And why are they paradoxically speeding up their military’s modernization efforts?

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Task & Purpose is a military news and culture oriented channel. We want to foster discussion about the defense industry.

#MILITARY #ECONOMY #HISTORY

[j.obrien]

If Indonesia is smart they will study how Turkey balances competing sides, if Turkey is smart it will study how Indonesia runs its economy.

[LV_]

About the Indonesia proverbs...
"Rice has turned into porridge" means something important has happened and it's irreversible.
"There's prawn hiding behind rock" means there's ulterior motive behind sweet words and gifts
"Tigers die because of their stripes" I actually haven't heard of this one. The closest one I think is "when elephant dies, it leaves tusk, when tiger dies, it leaves stripes", which means when one leaves, retires, or passes away, they would be remembered by their past achievements.

[widyacanz]

As an Indonesian I admit that I’ve been worried about this for a while. I just hope we won’t engage in any war, because it’s not worth it.

[dhanuhidayatlilani]

Indonesia will never take sides because the basis of politics in Indonesia is free and active politics

[kokoboomi]

We indonesians have this belief system saying "having 1000 friends is too few, having one enemy is too many" and it's taught almost in every household in indonesia 🇮🇩
I guess it's well represented in our foreign affairs strategy.

[ryosaeba]

a commentary about Indonesia sprinkled with Indonesian proverbs, a surefire way to attract Indonesian like me

[mannygutierrez]

Damn, Indonesia is in the position to play kingmaker and make tons of money right now, hopefully they take advantage of it and don't squander this once in a century opportunity

[RochellOfalla]

Indonesia, do not be like us in the Philippines, still in the claws of USA. Indonesia has a good economy I know they can be independent of USA.

[jasonariola]

Indonesia is like Singapore, they ride both sides of the fence and deal from both sides

[silascarlsen]

thats the danish flag not the dutch 4:28

[JETFOURLITRE]

Aussie here. As a traveller and many years ago ADF reserve, theres no ill will towards Indonesia. Love my indo mates and cant wait to get back there for my next visit. Wonderful people with a great sense of humour. Im actually embarrassed by the way my own countrymen act in Bali, so I steer clear of Bali.

[andrewflores]

I support my siblings in Indonesia.... mabuhay Philippines

[jessypadgett]

Sebagai Bule tinggal di Indonesia aku senang dengan penjelaskanmu tentang sejarah dan politik modern. Sebelum Aku Pindah ke Indonesia aku melayan di tentara AS. Masalah terbasar untuk orang di sini dengan AS termasuk perang antara Israel/Palestina. Orang di sini boikot produk AS karena, “tidak mau dukung Israel”. Pemerintah kami harus berhati hati dengan langkah2 Kami di masa depan

[natra]

Me as malaysian trust on indonesia foreign policy.. what good to indonesia is also good for the rest of asean..

[bmanpura]

As an Indonesian, I think we see more Chinese investment (largest concrete batching plant in the eastern Indonesia) compared to US investment.
What I know currently: We've been asking Freeport for smelters for years but Chinese built theirs first. (I got a small part of the offer but they asked for a very high initial investment, so I declined) Freeport expands their smelters but very slowly, while Chinese made industrial complexes in Java.

[alfredstergaard]

im glad to see my flag( Dannebrog) represent holland

[ETstudio-htsf]

INDONESIA is trying to tame the Dragon while riding the Eagle.

[anotherbacklog]

When you are powerful enough to become a player, you don’t have to pick a side.

[nusantararaya]

Maybe the world has forgotten, Indonesia has gone through all the problems that have occurred in this part of the world.

war from colonialism, tsunami and earthquake disasters, poverty, corruption, coup, reform, embargo, economic crisis, civil war, religious war etc.

The funny thing is, Indonesia is still surviving and heading towards becoming the strongest country even though it is progressing slowly but surely.

[MarwanSiregar-xf]

indonesia is the first country outside US using C-130 hercules. Soekarno traded american pilot that were captured in the rebellion backed CIA in sumatra island for the plane.