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Disruption of defense diplomacy
Many countries, including the United States, are unsurprisingly suspending their joint exercises. Training and education are also halted due to the rapid development of this COVID-19 pandemic. The situation has affected all countries, including Indonesia.
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Vigilance: Soldiers from the Indonesian Military enforce a quarantine at Kebon Jeruk Jami Mosque, Tamansari, West Jakarta, on March 23. One hundred and eighty-three people, of which 78 are foreign citizens, have been isolated in the mosque after 3 people tested positive for COVID-19. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
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efense diplomacy has risen significantly in the last few decades. It is associated with the use of military and defense instruments as foreign and security policy tools and helps achieve national and foreign policy objectives abroad. Many countries have employed defense diplomacy activities to build trust between nations and militaries. Strategic consultations, joint exercises, trainings and education, port visits and several other activities are key activities of defense diplomacy.
Indonesia has also utilized defense diplomacy to enhance its overall public diplomacy. In regard to strategic consultations, Indonesia has participated in various forums such as the ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting (ADMM), ADMM-Plus and the Shangri-La Dialogue.
In the context of joint exercises, the Indonesian Military (TNI) has been involved in a myriad of bilateral and multilateral exercises. In inter-military assignments, Indonesia has contributed peacekeeping missions under the United Nations. With their similar traditions, scholars note it is easier for the military and defense personnel to engage with their foreign partners.
However, the novel coronavirus pandemic poses several challenges to this important part of diplomacy. Many countries, including the United States, are unsurprisingly suspending their joint exercises. Training and education are also halted due to the rapid development of this COVID-19 pandemic. The situation has affected all countries, including Indonesia.
