JAKARTA, THE REAL NEWS ONE---– The escalation of conflict in the Middle East between the United States and Iran, now involving the major interests of China and Russia, has drastically reshaped the global geopolitical landscape. The world is moving toward a new configuration of power that increasingly resembles global bloc politics. In this situation, an important question for Indonesia is: where does Indonesia stand strategically in the vortex of this global conflict?
“Amid the storm of global geopolitics, it is time for Indonesia to return to a sovereign foreign policy,” said Aceng Syamsul Hadie, S.Sos., MM., known by the initials ASH, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DPP ASWIN (International Journalists Association).
According to ASH, as a country with a strong diplomatic tradition, Indonesia actually has a clear foreign policy foundation, namely the principle of “free and active” diplomacy. This principle is not merely a historical slogan but a geopolitical strategy designed by the nation’s founders to ensure that Indonesia would not become trapped in the rivalry of major powers.
However, today’s geopolitical reality is far more complex than in the past. The conflict involving Washington and Tehran, alongside the potential support of Beijing and Moscow, indicates that the world is entering a transitional phase toward a multipolar order. Under such circumstances, Indonesia cannot simply remain a passive observer issuing normative diplomatic statements.
“In a situation like this, Indonesia must play a more strategic role. It is not enough to merely be a passive spectator issuing normative diplomatic statements,” he explained.
ASH outlined several strategic steps that Indonesia could take, including:
First, Indonesia needs to revive global diplomacy based on solidarity among countries of the Global South. Historically, Indonesia was a key driving force behind the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung, which gave birth to the spirit of anti-colonialism and political independence among developing nations. The Bandung Spirit remains highly relevant in today’s geopolitical context, when many developing countries once again face pressure from the rivalry of major powers.
Second, Indonesia must strengthen multilateral diplomacy through international organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations. The conflict in the Middle East not only affects regional stability but also concerns the interests of the global Muslim community. As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia has the moral legitimacy to promote a just and peaceful resolution.
Third, Indonesia must be cautious not to be drawn into the configuration of emerging geopolitical blocs. Therefore, Indonesia should withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP) initiative associated with Trump in order to maintain its neutrality. In the history of international relations, countries that align too closely with one major power often lose their strategic independence. Indonesia’s foreign policy must maintain balanced distance from all global powers.
On the other hand, the conflict in the Middle East also carries direct implications for Indonesia’s national interests, particularly in the energy sector and the stability of the global economy. Energy trade routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz are among the main arteries of the world’s oil supply. If the conflict expands and disrupts these routes, the impact will be immediately felt in energy prices and global economic stability, including in Indonesia.
“Therefore, Indonesia needs to develop a more visionary geopolitical strategy. The country should not merely react to global crises, but must dare to build diplomatic initiatives that strengthen the position of developing nations in global affairs,” he suggested.
Amid the rivalry of major powers, Indonesia has a strategic choice: to remain merely a spectator on the stage of global geopolitics, or to once again play the role of a moral and diplomatic force in the world as it once did in history.
“If Indonesia is able to revive the Bandung Spirit and the principle of a sovereign foreign policy, then even amid the storm of global geopolitics, Indonesia will not lose its direction. On the contrary, Indonesia can emerge as a balancing force that brings messages of peace and justice to the world,” he concluded.**
*) Author: Aceng Syamsul Hadie, S.Sos., MM, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the DPP ASWIN (Association of International Journalists).
*) This opinion piece is entirely the responsibility of the author and does not constitute the responsibility of THE REAL NEWS ONE's editorial staff.
