Indonesia could be Asia's Most Strategic Country: Here is Why

Summary

Indonesia's strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region is highlighted by its central position in global sea trade routes, including critical chokepoints like the Malacca Strait. As a crossroad of global powers' foreign policies, Indonesia's non-alignment stance allows it to balance between China's Belt and Road Initiative and the US's military exercises. The country's maritime strategy, including the Global Maritime Fulcrum and Archipelagic Vision, aims to enhance its naval capabilities and unify its vast archipelago, positioning Indonesia as a potential major power in Asia.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Indo-Pacific is the most geopolitically relevant region, with major global players like the US, China, India, and Japan influencing its dynamics.
• 📍 Indonesia is strategically positioned at the center of the Indo-Pacific, influencing global sea routes and becoming a focal point for global powers.
• 🔗 Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, holds significant importance due to its centrality in global sea routes, diplomatic significance, and military potential.
• 🌐 Indonesia's integration as a geopolitical hub is highlighted by its role in undersea internet cables, showcasing its connectivity and security importance.
• 🚢 Indonesia's strategic location is underscored by its control over key maritime chokepoints, which are crucial for global trade and security.
• 🌊 The Malacca Strait, Sunda Strait, Lombok Strait, and Ombei-Wetar Strait are Indonesia's major chokepoints, through which a significant portion of global trade passes.
• ⚓️ Indonesia's influence is bolstered by the threats to its waterways, such as piracy and congestion, which necessitate its active role in policing these routes.
• 🌐 Indonesia's non-alignment policy places it at the crossroads of foreign policies, making it a sought-after ally in the US-China rivalry.
• 🛳️ Indonesia's maritime strategy, including the Global Maritime Fulcrum and the Archipelagic Vision, aims to enhance its naval power and unify its national identity.
• 🏗️ Indonesia faces challenges in administering its vast territory, with issues like illegal fishing and piracy, and is working towards building a capable navy to address these.

Q & A

Why is the Indo-Pacific region considered geopolitically significant?

The Indo-Pacific region is geopolitically significant because it is home to heavy and middleweight global players like the US, China, India, and Japan, who consider this region central to their security policies.

What are the three main reasons for Indonesia's strategic emergence in Southeast Asia?

Indonesia's strategic emergence is due to its centrality in global sea routes, the diplomatic importance of Southeast Asia in global power balance and the US-China rivalry, and Indonesia's military potential.

How does Indonesia's location impact its role in global internet connectivity?

Indonesia serves as a major gateway for Europe-Asia undersea internet cables like the SeaMeWe-3, which connects South Korea to Belgium, highlighting its importance in global internet infrastructure.

What is the significance of Indonesia's chokepoints in global trade?

Indonesia's chokepoints act as gateways connecting and potentially shutting access between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with a majority of global trade passing through its territorial waters.

Why are the Malacca Strait and other straits in Indonesia crucial for China, Japan, and South Korea?

Around 80% of China's oil imports, and up to 90% for Japan and South Korea, pass through the Malacca Strait, making these straits crucial for their energy security.

What are the two main threats to the waterways in Indonesia?

The two main threats to Indonesia's waterways are vulnerability to active blockade and piracy, and the existing congestion issues which may escalate with increasing trade volumes.

How does Indonesia's strategic location influence the US and China's foreign policies?

Indonesia's strategic location makes it a vital player in the world's seaborne trade, influencing the US and China to seek its cooperation in their ongoing geopolitical competition.

What is the Global Maritime Fulcrum and how does it relate to Indonesia's maritime strategy?

The Global Maritime Fulcrum is a government plan to boost Indonesian maritime power and solidify its strategic value between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, aiming to build major regional maritime dominance.

What challenges does Indonesia face in administering its vast Exclusive Economic Zone?

Indonesia faces challenges such as illegal fishing, piracy, and the need for basic surveillance and reconnaissance of its vast internal waters due to its large Exclusive Economic Zone.

Why is Indonesia's archipelagic vision important for its national identity and development?

Indonesia's archipelagic vision, or Wawasan Nusantara, promotes a united and integrated nation by controlling its surrounding seas and connecting the archipelago, which is vital for its national identity and development.

What is the strategic rationale behind Indonesia's plan to move its capital from Jakarta to Borneo?

The strategic rationale for moving the capital is to centralize the country's administration and to better leverage its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region, despite the high cost and logistical challenges.