Archive for April 21st, 2010
Challenges for Indonesia’s foreign policy in transition
by Evan A. Laksmana
Ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Jakarta next month, pundits have been debating the nature and future direction of Indonesia’s foreign policy.
Given the strategic importance of the upcoming United States-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership – set to deepen ties in defence, economic, health, and education sectors – some are asking whether this visit could jump-start Indonesia’s “post-Asean” foreign policy. Read the rest of this entry »
Military postings are now less political
by Evan A. Laksmana
AWAY from the glare of the headlines, a fundamental shift has quietly taken place in the Indonesian military (TNI).
In the last three months, there have been at least four waves of personnel changes. The first, on Oct 23, involved 46 officers. Another reshuffle on Nov 17 involved 11 officers; on Nov 30, 72 officers; and Dec 29, 51 officers.
The transfers affected a wide range of commands and brought about changes in posts across the board, including those of the three service chiefs, the chief of general staff, the chief of military intelligence, the commander of army special forces (Kopassus), and the regional commanders of Papua, Sulawesi, Aceh, West Java and Central Java, to name a few. Read the rest of this entry »
