Author: Alfin Basundoro

Published: 22 May 2026

Published by East Asia Forum

Indonesia’s Major Defense Cooperation Partnership with the United States has unsettled public trust by raising fears that airspace access could compromise sovereignty. The reaction is best understood through the bebas aktif principle which demands strategic autonomy and active defence of national interests. While the agreement offers real benefits for military capacity and deterrence in the North Natuna Sea, it also risks geopolitical entrapment if poorly managed. Careful legal oversight, transparency and public communication are essential to keep the partnership aligned with Indonesia’s foreign policy principles.

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https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/05/22/indonesias-non-alignment-in-an-age-of-rivalry/

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