INDONESIAN REACTIONS TO THE
U.S. REBALANCE
FIRST HUMANS TO 1900S
•Java Man
•Austronesians replace Melanesians
•Agricultural development
•Spiritual Path
•Arrival of the Colonia Powers
1900S TO PRESENT
•Dutch Control
•Return of the Dutch
•Independence
•Rebellions
•New Government
•Struggles
INDONESIA TODAY
•Population
•Economy
•Government
•Alliances / Trade Partnerships
•Borders / Neighbors
FIRST HUMANS TO 1900S
•Java Man
•Austronesians replace Melanesians
•Agricultural development
•Spiritual Path
•Arrival of the Colonia Powers
INDONESIAN REACTIONS TO THE US REBALANCE
•Policy of non-alignment with any one major power against another
•One million friends, zero enemies‘
• ‘Dynamic Equilibrium‘
• Indonesia as an ASEAN leader
ADVANTAGES FOR INDONESIA
•Increased presence of US consistent with foreign policy
•Hedge against the rise of China
•Intrinsic value to the country and sub region
INDONESIAN CONCERNS/SENSATIVITIES
•Priority for stability to allow continued development
•Over emphasis on military aspects of the rebalance should be avoided
•A creative, whole of government approach to engagement will be most
effective and well regarded
WAY-AHEAD
Cooperative proposals between Indonesia and the United States as part of the Asia-Pacific Rebalance
SOFT POWER (DIPLOMACY AND AID)
• The U.S. needs to continue to be an active member of the East Asia Summit (EAS)– Membership initiated in November 2011– Provide support to ASEAN nations and counterbalance to growing Chinese influence
• Build upon tangible goals in support of the new Indo-U.S. Comprehensive Partnership Agreement– Signed by President Obama in November 2010– Increase cooperation by USAID, the USEMB Country Team, and the expansion of U.S. aid
agencies– Identify critical needs and work towards long-term improvements and solutions– 194 total points. Examples include: Health Services, Support to Rule of Law, Marine
Management, Forestry, and Higher Education
• Promote Indonesia’s leadership role in the resolution of disputes between ASEAN and East Asian neighbors
ECONOMIC
• Increase trade with Indonesia in support of the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement
• Hold bilateral conferences in order to identify areas for resource security and public/private ventures
• Identify specific areas to modernize industrial capability– Provide jobs– Clean energy/climate change prevention– Raise the standard of living
• Support the International Law of the Sea and the protection of Indonesian fisheries and Maritime Security interests
• Continued U.S. participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings
MILITARY• Support President Yudhoyono’s request to increase bilateral military exercises
– Expand from small (less than 100 personnel) “Joint” Exercises– Increase larger unit MAREX-type exercises with Bn-Regt size forces in order to evaluate
specific capabilities and C2– Focus on HA/DR training with Marines stationed in Darwin, Australia– Provide Civil-Military Experts to support training at the new ASEAN Coordinating Centre for
Humanitarian Assistance in Jakarta– The number of interoperability exercises with the U.S. will match those with China
• Support the development of Indonesia’s emerging national security strategy• Provide specific training on counter-piracy and coast guard operations
– Specific use in the Straits of Malacca and Lombok and other major shipping lanes
• Remain sensitive to Indonesia’s concerns in the employment of ISR/other intelligence collection assets
• Explore opportunities to expand foreign military sales
REFERENCES• Source: USINDO Brief Title: “The United States Rebalance to Asia: How will it Change
America’s Defense Strategy in the Region?” Date: 11 Sep 12• Source: The National Bureau of Asian Research Title: “An Indonesian Perspective on the U.S. Rebalancing Effort
toward Asia” Date: 26 Feb 13• Source: USINDO Brief Title: “The U.S. Pacific Commander’s Perspective on the Asia-
Pacific Rebalance” Date: 8 Feb 13