A Study On The Indonesian Defense Diplomacy Of The Joko Administration

As a middle power,a regional power in Southeast Asia,as well as a maritime nation with the world’s largest Muslim population,Indonesia’s defense and foreign policy orientation weighs to the global strategic balance and even matters to the peace and security in Southeast Asia.It can,therefore,influence the security and stability around China.In recent years,Indonesia has gradually taken defense diplomacy as a diplomatic means to secure its national defense and security interests.In particular,since the incumbent president Joko Widodo came into power,Indonesia has given a bigger play to defense diplomacy.Based on its domestic and foreign security environment,the fundamentals of its defense diplomacy,its strategic goal of “Global Maritime Fulcrum”among other factors,the Joko administration has carried out fruitful defense diplomatic activities represented by international military exchanges,international military cooperation,and overseas military operations other than wars(MOOTWs),which reflect distinctively Indonesian features over the course.On the one hand,the Joko administration’s defense diplomacy has ensured Indonesia’s national security,enhanced its defense strength,and expanded its international prestige and influence.On the other hand,it also faces many challenges,including difficulties in balancing its military relations with China and the United States respectively,its insufficient leadership in ASEAN affairs,disputes with its neighbors which have affected Indonesia’s military relations with them,and potential risks in international military trade.In its second term,the Joko administration’s defense diplomacy is estimated to continue to highlight pragmatic balancing,ASEAN-centered regional security cooperation,and construction of a maritime power.Dialectically speaking,the defense diplomacy conducted by the Joko administration has a mixed impact on China.China should increase communication and cooperation with Indonesia on military security,to shape a stable and favorable regional security environment.