Defining our direction: Foreign Minister Sugiono speaks during the Foreign Minister's Annual Press Statement (PPTM) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building in Jakarta, on Jan. 10.

If Indonesia is revamping its foreign policy, where is the white paper?

A clear direction and some degree of predictability is good for the country and also benefits neighboring countries.

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Debt switching and the complex dynamics of BI's independence

The law restricts the government from conducting debt switches without following specific procedures, such as initial offerings in the primary market. ...

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Academia

Donald Trump at Davos

Trump’s return to the White House marks the start of an anti-Davos age. ...

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Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk (right) speaks as Republican presidential nominee and former US president Donald Trump looks on during a rally at the site of the July assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, the United States, on Oct. 5, 2024.

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Connections, power and privilege: Is the US learning from Asian oligarchies?

Big Tech’s ability to influence electoral outcomes and then work in concert with political power is perilous for political and economic competition.

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Not without risks: Pedestrians cross the street in Jakarta on Oct. 8, 2024.

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Two steps toward a better Jakarta

Resolving Jakarta’s notorious macet will take major projects, much money and a long time to solve a problem that did not develop overnight.

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A tugboat tows a barge carrying sea sand bound for Singapore in the waters of Riau Islands province on Feb. 10, 2015.

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Sea sand extraction is destructive; there are alternatives

Indonesia needs to rethink the previous administration's decision to lift a decades-long ban on sea sand exports by considering alternatives to sand dredging, which does more harm than good to both the economy and the environment.

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Strained ties: United States President Donald Trump (right) speaks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen prior to their meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 21, 2020.

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Trump’s trade threats: A test of Europe’s unity and strength

From auto tariffs to trade wars, Trump’s protectionist policies are back, leaving Europe struggling to form a unified response.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin holds his annual end-of-year press conference in Moscow on Dec. 19, 2024.

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Letter to editor: Russian ambassador responds

Recent allegations made by Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Hamianin appear to be nothing more than a swan song orchestrated by his Western sponsors.

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Same old song: United States President Donald Trump (center) gestures alongside First Lady Melania Trump (right) and Vice President JD Vance during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20.

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Trump acts like emperor but the world is much less intimidated

The world has changed and people are now more prepared to face Trump.

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Cause for concern: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends a wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park, in Manila, on March 2, 2023.

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Anwar’s ASEAN: A peaceful future at risk

Anwar's appointment of Hun Sen and Shinawatra suggests there is a disconnect between his words and actions.

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A student studies in the terrace of a heavily damaged building of MIS Al-Khaeriyah private Muslim elementary school in Tangerang regency, Banten on Aug. 22, 2024. The school resumed its activities in its yard and local residents' houses as the school building is heavily damaged and requires renovation.

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The mirage of progress: Scrutinizing the push for IB schools

The establishment of IB schools in Indonesia could be seen as exacerbating the pre-existing educational divide, turning it into a chasm between the haves and have-nots.

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Rising tide: Villagers' homes and the surrounding area of Timbulsloko village in Demak, Central Java, are seen submerged by sea water in this aerial photo taken on June 20, 2023.

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Turning the financial tide for small island states

Even though our ecosystems play a crucial role in global climate mitigation and adaptation, SIDS face negative feedback loops from a host of interconnected economic and environmental challenges.

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Familiar faces: Heads of state pose for a family photo on Dec. 14, 2022, at the European Union-ASEAN summit at the European Council headquarters in Brussels. The two regional groups met to bolster ties.

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EU, ASEAN in the same boat as Trump vows to rule waves

EU and ASEAN must strategize some common responses to the second Trump administration.

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A visitor glances at the Jogja Disability Arts installation work titled 'Babad Disabilitas' at the 2022 ARTJOG Festival. (Courtesy of ARTJOG Festival)

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Inclusive policy and practices as a tool for future-proofing society

People with disabilities can be powerful agents of change, and their inclusion benefits society by fostering diversity, breaking barriers and driving innovation.

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All-round outing: Supernatural creatures are bathed in an eerie, green glow in a publicity still from 2024’s horror comedy Agak Laen (A little different), directed by Muhadkly Acho, which topped the Indonesian box office with record ticket sales of over 9.1 million.

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The bitter truth behind the 80 million ticket sales in our film industry

Big Indonesian producers see these numbers as confirmation to keep producing horror films.

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President Prabowo Subianto walks after inspecting an honor guard during his ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on Jan. 25, 2025.

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Prioritizing mutual inclusive economic development in Indonesia-India relations

While several major Indian business houses have already discovered the promise and power of the Indonesian economy, Indonesian conglomerates have remained hesitant and slow to invest in India.

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Foreign Minister Sugiono delivers a speech during the inauguration of the new executives of the Indonesian Council on World Affairs (ICWA) in Jakarta on Jan. 16, 2025.

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ICWA: A collaboration in implementing Indonesian foreign policy

The ICWA aims to advance cooperation between nations by providing a forum to discuss and analyze international politics, economics, culture, strategy and science and technology issues.

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United States President Donald Trump (right) speaks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Jan. 21, 2020, prior to their meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. (Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP)

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What Indonesia can expect from Trump’s second presidency

Indonesia, given its tradition of nonalignment, may be unlikely to be a main priority for Trump in his second administration, particularly as other states in the region are more willing to work with America to counter China.

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Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto (third left) inaugurates five new infantry battalions to support disaster-prone regions (PDR) on Oct. 2, 2024, during a ceremony at the National Monument in Central Jakarta. The battalions are to assist local farmers and safeguard communities in three Papuan provinces.

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The end of security sector reform and the growing threat of militarism

As many observers noted prior to the inauguration of Prabowo, a former Army general, the potential for creeping militarism in governance and civilian affairs during his presidency could undermine the country's progress in democracy and human rights for which countless many have shed tears and blood.

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What ASEAN offers the world in the Intelligent Age

Poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, ASEAN leverages opportunities in the Intelligent Age to transcend traditional growth models and foster inclusive prosperity.

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Second stretch: Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th United States president in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Monday.

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Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Trump 2.0

Trump hates US trade deficits, loves US tariffs and is mostly indifferent, if not hostile, toward multilateral arrangements including ASEAN.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) shakes hands with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo ahead of the Group of 20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sept. 9, 2023.

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BRICS: What is in a name for Indian and Indonesian space activities?

The two countries’ space programs have not been very connected in the past decade.

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Jubilant: Palestinians react to news of a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 15.

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A vision for independent Palestine: Time to act

The deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Gaza could also be considered as part of the effort to stabilize the region.

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Underfunded sector: A farm worker carries bunches of rice in a rice paddy near Niamey in Niger on Aug. 16, 2023.

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The key to narrowing the development gap

A single sector holds the key to closing half of the outstanding sustainable-development gaps: Agri-food systems in Africa

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Déjà vu: United States President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States inside the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Monday.

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Trump 2.0: America first, everyone else second, including Indonesia

In the face of Trump's "America First" policy, Indonesia needs not only to diversify export markets, but also double down on high-value industries like electric vehicles, where global demand is rising.

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Tense meeting: United States President Donald Trump meets with China's President Xi Jinping at the start of their bilateral meeting at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 29, 2019.

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Why China might need the rest of the West more as Trump returns

China may be looking to engage the West, at least the non-US part of it, for a range of economic, political and security reasons.

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A vendor walks past a mural encouraging vigilance against the spread of fake news on Jl. KH Hasyim Ashari in Tangerang, Banten, on Feb. 22, 2021.

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Can prebunking outpace fake news?

Prebunking emerges as a key tool in the fight against misinformation, equipping people to resist fake news before it spreads.

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President Prabowo Subianto arrives at the government palace in Lima on Nov. 14 to meet with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. (Reuters/Agustin Marcarian)

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Chaos in Indonesia’s foreign policy?

President Prabowo Subianto has taken steps that have resulted in a monumental shift in Indonesia’s foreign policy.

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Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro (second right) attends a meeting with Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Committee III overseeing education and culture on Dec. 3, 2024, at the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta.

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Why science and technology needs Prof. Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro

Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro is just the man to lead the new higher education ministry in forging the country's future, founded on an education system with global standards that can achieve the vision of a modern and technologically advanced Indonesia.

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