JakartaPost-Feb 15, 2023
Indonesia has recently given countries in the Indo-Pacific a stern reminder that the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China could “very well escalate into open conflict” if not properly managed, underpinning broader concerns that things could turn from bad to worse. Tensions between Washington and Beijing have been high after a recent balloon incident quashed plans for the leaders of the two superpowers to finally meet in person after a period of cooling ties under pandemic duress. Analysts are now questioning the state of Southeast Asia’s security and calling on Indonesia to strengthen relevant ASEAN-led mechanisms, lest the bloc risk an existential threat go unchecked. Recent years have seen different approaches by Indo-Pacific powers in grappling with China’s rise as a superpower and regional benefactor. Some nations opt for diplomatic strategies to balance Beijing’s influence, while others choose to revive exclusive groups such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as the Quad. The Quad sees the US grouped together with Japan, India and Australia, all of whom have competing interests with China in one form or another. Australia is also one of three nations comprising AUKUS, another mini-lateral group that seeks to provide Canberra with nuclear-powered submarine capabilities. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/paper/2023/02/15/indonesia-warns-of-open-conflict-in-indo-pacific.html.
