Overseas Think Tank for Indonesia

facilitating intellectuals to contribute to indonesia

Archive for December, 2009

Why Obama skipping Jakarta might not be so bad

without comments

Not to mention the fact that back home Obama has enough trouble as it is - from the domestic onslaught of his Afghanistan-Iraq strategy, to issues surrounding healthcare reform and the recovery of the US economy. To be seen as kowtowing to a regime currently under assault for corruption charges, and whose human rights record has yet been wiped clean, might ruffle some feathers in the Democrat-led Congress.
Image Source: javno.com

By Evan A. Laksmana and Hazelia Margaretha

They say Indonesia is the most important country that the United States knows very little about. Cynics recited this clich* when airing their disappointment as President Barack Obama went on his big Asia tour recently, skipping Jakarta.

After all, Obama supposedly has deep, long-standing ties with Indonesia, going way back to his childhood. In fact, “Barry” – as President Obama is popularly known by Indonesians – has become something of an icon in Indonesian politics in the past year.

As such, some have been tempted to argue that perhaps Indonesia’s role in the American grand strategy is not so pivotal after all. Upon a closer look, however, Obama skipping Indonesia was perhaps not such a bad thing for both countries. Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Beni Bevly

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Menghentikan Perbuatan Immoral Majority

without comments

Peran Penjelasan Tertulis dalam Berbisnis

without comments

Written by Beni Bevly

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Minority rights, cladistics, and language watch

without comments

Written by Beni Bevly

December 22nd, 2009 at 11:13 am

Statelessness, refugees, and human rights

without comments

Written by Beni Bevly

December 14th, 2009 at 9:59 am

BRIDGING ISLAM AND THE WEST: An Indonesian View

with 7 comments

Written by Beni Bevly

December 7th, 2009 at 3:26 pm

Climate change is also defense and security problem

without comments

Written by Beni Bevly

December 7th, 2009 at 2:58 pm

The Mindanao conflict, “rido,” and foul politics

with 2 comments

Written by Beni Bevly

December 4th, 2009 at 7:52 pm