18 Dec 2024
What I’ll be watching for in 2025
Lowy researchers gaze at their crystal balls – with questions, more than answers, for the year ahead.
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16 Dec 2024
Southeast Asia’s death penalty laws: The ultimate political game
The region’s diverse policies on executions are about more than the war on crime. -
11 Dec 2024
Indonesian foreign policy is still free, more active
Equating Jakarta’s moves with either a “pro-Beijing” or “pro-US” orientation indicates a fundamental misreading of the concept of non-alignment. -
27 Nov 2024
Understanding Prabowo’s Natunas gambit with China
Acknowledging a dispute exists does not amount to a tacit endorsement of one side’s claim. -
26 Nov 2024
Joining BRICS+ is not in Indonesia’s interests
An economic ambition will cloud broader impressions of joining what is an inescapably revisionist bloc. -
25 Nov 2024
Cutting coal power: Indonesia's test case for turning a climate pledge into reality
The technical, financial and legal hurdles to get an Indonesian coal-fired power plant off the grid. -
14 Nov 2024
Check, but not check-mate: Indonesia’s nine-dash line mistake
China has won a diplomatic battle with Indonesia, but not the war over maritime claims in the South China Sea. -
11 Nov 2024
The cost of Albanese skipping Prabowo’s inauguration
Bilateral ties won’t be adversely affected, but errors like this change the way Australia is seen in the region. -
6 Nov 2024
Indonesia takes a bite out of Apple, and sets itself a test for future investment
The Local Content Requirement may only be a temporary setback for the tech giant, but it could raise concerns among potential foreign investors. -
4 Nov 2024
ASEAN countries confront Chinese export glut
Left unchecked, a saturation of Chinese goods may complicate what has otherwise been a very compelling ASEAN growth story. -
1 Nov 2024
Understanding Indonesia’s decision to (eventually) join BRICS
Prabowo doesn’t carry the same wariness of his predecessor – but nor is he going along with Russia and China’s agenda. -
31 Oct 2024
Asia’s year of electoral upsets
The poor result for the region’s most successful electoral machine in Japan on Sunday has only underlined a surprisingly bad year for incumbents across Asia. -
25 Oct 2024
Prabowo’s China challenge around the Natuna Islands
An early confrontation might not be the message first thought. -
25 Oct 2024
South Korea-Indonesia: How a viral moment could have real-world consequences
Warm feelings and popular culture can only go so far. -
18 Oct 2024
How Australia’s foreign student cap could erode its regional influence: An Indonesian view
Indonesians educated in Australian universities include senior ministers and officials. Goodwill has its own value. -
15 Oct 2024
The ripple effects of EU deforestation laws in Southeast Asia
The region's palm oil industry needs to move with the times. But meeting the challenges will take a group effort. -
14 Oct 2024
The risk of a Timor-like intervention still shapes Indonesia’s view of security
As Prabowo Subianto prepares to take the reins, it’s doubtful that China worries him most. -
9 Oct 2024
Who’s in, who’s up, and who’s really representing who in Indonesia’s regional elections?
The form guide to the 27 November elections with a cascade of candidates vying for key jobs. -
19 Sep 2024
Indonesia: Jokowi’s real legacy is an unpredictable successor
From a stunted democracy, to a human capital deficit, and too much reliance on China, Prabowo Subianto has been handed a curate’s egg, writes Greg Earl for his “Economic diplomacy” column from the ANU Indonesia Update. -
11 Sep 2024
A step, not a leap: Assessing the Indonesia-Australia Defence Cooperation Agreement
As a statement of neighbourly ties, the deal is a good one. But temper expectations. -
9 Sep 2024
China’s rise in Southeast Asia is bringing in a golden age for Australia
Disquiet about Beijing’s growing presence is motivating countries across the region to seek deeper cooperation with Canberra. -
30 Aug 2024
The right road to renewable biofuel in Indonesia
Taking directions from big producers in the United States and Brazil. -
27 Aug 2024
Indonesia pledges closer defence ties with Australia one day – military drills with China the next
Jakarta carries risks while seeking the rewards of its friends to all approach to defence diplomacy. -
27 Aug 2024
Prabowo’s capitulation in Constitutional Court crisis only a partial victory
An apparent win for civil society masks elite political manoeuvring as Indonesia’s local elections loom. -
23 Aug 2024
A glimpse into Indonesia's nickel policy
China has become a key partner, but locals pay the price and need more support to realise the benefits. -
22 Aug 2024
Economic diplomacy: Playing defence with Prabowo
New security cooperation with Indonesia does not make up for the slow progress in building fresh economic links. -
22 Aug 2024
Southeast Asia’s great haze: Laggards and leaders
Indonesia is the region’s biggest producer of haze, so why was it the last to ratify ASEAN’s pollution prevention agreement? -
21 Aug 2024
Indonesia needs a strong opposition that can inspire hope, and look cool while doing it
Democratic backsliding in Southeast Asia’s largest country will set a poor example for the region. -
20 Aug 2024
Looking back at Jokowi’s decade of resource nationalism
How successful were the Indonesian president’s efforts to localise and industrialise the country’s natural commodities? -
19 Aug 2024
Prabowo puts the “i” in foreign policy
Indonesia’s president-elect has already put his personal touch on display. -
1 Aug 2024
Nationalism vs globalism: Making the case for Indonesian dual citizenship
A lack of rights for Indonesians living and working abroad means they cannot truly be citizens of the world. -
23 Jul 2024
ASEAN centrality stands in the way of an Indonesia-Australia alliance
While Jakarta’s non-alignment approach makes a pact unlikely any time soon, common strategic objectives can still be achieved. -
4 Jul 2024
The time has come for an Australia‑Indonesia military pact
An effective alliance is founded on a common vital interest which can only be met together. Australia and Indonesia have one. -
20 Jun 2024
A Prabowo presidency will be good for Australian interests
Even though it might not be so for Indonesia’s democracy. -
18 Jun 2024
The carbon sinks of Southeast Asia are in trouble
Global demand for palm oil and paper is threatening a fragile peatland ecosystem. International cooperation is needed now. -
21 May 2024
Indonesia’s digital drive gets big tech backing
Jakarta has welcomed some major world figures lately, hinting at its digital ambitions. But Indonesia faces stiff competition from the rest of ASEAN. -
20 May 2024
Indonesia, and the origins of a decolonialisation movement that swept the world
European colonial history is lamentable – but it is important to remember the enduring legacy. -
26 Apr 2024
Waqf-based forests: Harnessing Islamic philanthropy for climate financing in Indonesia
Faith has long been devoted to salving social ills – addressing environmental challenges is the next step. -
26 Apr 2024
60 years of Kartini Day: Indonesia’s feminist pioneer or political pawn?
The story of a 19th century Javanese noblewoman has been co-opted for control but also liberation. -
26 Apr 2024
Australia’s comparative advantage in climate transition
Already world leaders in rooftop solar, Australians should take the opportunity with supporting rollouts in Southeast Asia. -
24 Apr 2024
What Prabowo’s election victory in Indonesia means for deeper reconciliation with Timor‑Leste
Unresolved issues hinder a profound healing process and Indonesia’s President-elect could make a powerful gesture to advance the cause. -
10 Apr 2024
Prabowo in China: Indonesia’s president-elect on the world stage
Prabowo signalled that he will continue Jokowi's work, but Jakarta and Beijing remain at odds over the South China Sea. -
22 Mar 2024
Australia confronts an Indonesian nickel glut
Competition over strategic commodities may increasingly define the economic relationship between the two producers. -
21 Mar 2024
New Zealand and ASEAN: Focusing on what’s right under its nose
As a country at the end of the global supply chain, New Zealand depends on the stability of Southeast Asia. -
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20 Feb 2024
Prabowo’s challenge: Cabinet continuity
The incoming president’s ambition may be hostage to the influence of some big ministerial names. -
16 Feb 2024
Prabowo is finally president in Indonesia – now what?
While the incoming leader wants to focus on the future, the clues to his likely approach all lie in the past. -
14 Feb 2024
Indonesians abroad exercise their right to vote
Hopes for dual citizenship and promoting positive diplomatic relations with Australia is on the mind of the diaspora. -
12 Feb 2024
Election 2024: Indonesia decides
Insights into the presidential candidates’ thinking can be found in many places – even from afar. -
6 Feb 2024
One year into the Indonesia and Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnerships
It’s a long and winding road – but the destination is crucial.