President Prabowo Subianto used his first state of the nation address on Aug. 15 to talk up his hugely ambitious free nutritious meal program, claiming success although so far it has reached less than a quarter of the 83 million targeted recipients since its January rollout.

The growing focus on healthier living is evident among Gen Z and millennials across Jakarta and the Asia-Pacific region, with more in this demographic choosing to spend their nights at gyms or stadiums rather than bars and amusement centers.

Unmanned systems and the AI that increasingly operates them are redefining a defense sector more often known for huge delays and cost overruns.

A return to nuclear testing would almost certainly spark a dangerous arms race, one that undermines the purposes for which the UN was founded.

Recent global events have exposed the fragile balance between energy security and sustainability.

The root problem is the relatively small number of jobs in China that provide a comfortable middle-class lifestyle, and the large number of workers vying for them

If different ethnic groups in Indonesia have unique ancestries and histories, then policies that assume everyone is the same culturally, linguistically or medically are either tone-deaf and harmful.

President Prabowo Subianto has set an ambitious growth target of 5.4 percent year-on-year (yoy) for 2026, as announced during the presentation of the 2026 state budget draft (RAPBN). The proposed budget seeks to narrow the fiscal deficit to 2.48 percent of gross domestic product, while increasing total spending by 7.3 percent to Rp 3.79 quadrillion (US$231.81 billion). However, the heavy price tag of the government’s flagship priority programs, combined with the emphasis on central government spending, austerity imposed on regional budgets and heavier reliance on tax revenue, could complicate the realization of these growth aspirations.

Massive political education is crucial to educate the public of the risks of restoring indirect elections.

As robotics and artificial intelligence technology races ahead, it appears that human workers will be inevitably left not just behind, but also without jobs.

For Indonesia, Peru offers an important gateway to the Latin American market, particularly for tropical commodities such as coffee, spices and seafood.

Whether among the diaspora or at home, nationalism is essentially a sense of belonging and ownership defined, in part, by shared ideals and values as well as a freedom to express individual conscience on the path to an Indonesia that is just, strong, sustainable and prosperous.

Data is foundational to good governance, but when the reliability of official figures comes under doubt, it has far-reaching consequences for economies and democracies across the world.

Noel's removal suggests a dual message: a warning to Prabowo’s own political circle, and a distancing move from his predecessor’s lingering influence.

Ten months into his term, President Prabowo Subianto’s trademark austerity measures, designed to conserve funds for flagship programs like the free nutritious meal initiative, have finally collided with local realities.

It is upsetting that the government has once again prioritized short-term economic achievements from potential money coming from the plastic industry’s investment in the country.

The ASEAN secretary-general needs to be vested with the capacity of a chief executive officer, allowing him or her to play a more strategic but tactical role in resolving regional issues. 

With the help of chatbots or fabricated online personas, AI can generate personalized messages and simulate human interaction to influence and radicalize vulnerable individuals.

The SCO is not simply giving a voice to the developing world—it is fast becoming a pivot point in the reorganization of global trade geography.

The economy expanded 5.12 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the second quarter, defying expectations of a slowdown and igniting debate over where the growth is coming from and why many Indonesians say they cannot feel it. In a climate of public skepticism, every decimal point carries weight.

For Indonesia, the question now is not whether to engage with the world, but how to do so on its own terms.

The best place to start realizing clean energy would be to finally pass a long-delayed bill on new and renewable energy.

In a time of mounting ecological challenges, all sources of wisdom are vital – including Islamic teachings that offer guidance for living in harmony with nature.

The digital divide is a major contributor to the feminization of poverty in Indonesia, especially when digitalization leaves behind single mothers who are just scraping by.

To promote the nickel-based EV battery industry Indonesia needs to cut bureaucratic layers and channel commitment into action, investing in innovation, building capacity and ensuring readiness for the future.

As the West recedes in climate governance, it has left an opening for the Global South to step up its already growing efforts to take the lead, ensuring that the global agenda reflects its needs and priorities while holding the world accountable in protecting our planet.

More than a bureaucratic adjustment, this overhaul signals a strategic realignment of Indonesia’s economic policy in the digital age.