After the economic depression in 2008,[1] China overtook Japan[2] as the world’s second largest economy[3] in 2010, leading to a fierce power struggle with the United States of America (USA) in the global system. As a matter of fact, although the said competition is based on economy, this competition also has geopolitical and geostrategic dimensions. Because, in particular, the fact that the USA and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) want to implement the containment policy that they implemented and obtained results against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) during the Cold War[4] against China also adds a regional perspective to this competition.
Within the framework of this policy, it is of great importance for the West to establish close relations with states such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Vietnam. On the other hand, the West’s influence in the region is not limited to these collaborations alone. Indeed, the West is creating an anti-Chinese pole in the region and deepening its containment policy with organizations such as the ANZUS Treaty[5], implemented in 1951 in partnership with the USA, Australia and New Zealand, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)[6], created in 2007 with the cooperation of the USA, Australia, Japan and India, and the AUKUS Pact[7], established in 2021 in cooperation with the USA, United Kingdom and Australia.
On the other hand, the fragility of the security equations of the region and the increase in regional polarization force the regional states to choose sides. In this context, it is known that Indonesia has a Western stance. Moreover, it can be said that Indonesia has tended to work more closely with the West due to the tense security environment of the region.
As a matter of fact, it can be argued that an important outcome of this situation is the agreement of Indonesia and Germany to hold joint exercises on May 5, 2023, in line with the goal of strengthening defense cooperation.[8] German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto held a meeting in Jakarta.
After the meeting in question, Pistorius said that they discussed some agreements regarding submarines and agreed to deploy minelayers in waters close to Indonesia.[9] The two states are planning to organize a joint military exercise; but it has been reported that they did not make any explanation about it.[10] This good dialogue and defense-based agreement between Jakarta and Berlin is crucial for Western influence in the Asia-Pacific Region. At this point, it can be determined that the implementation of a joint exercise will disturb Beijing and make the security equations more fragile by increasing the military presence of the West in the region.
In addition to all these, a meeting took place between Subianto and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles on 5 May 2023. After the meeting, Subianto stated that the two governments agreed on joint military training in Australia and stated that the cooperation between the parties would contribute to regional peace and stability. Later, in the statement made by the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, it was emphasized that Canberra promised to deepen its relations with Indonesia in the field of defense.[11]
It should be emphasized that; Australia is the only state involved in regional cooperation with the USA, such as the ANZUS Treaty, QUAD and AUKUS Pact. This gives Canberra a strong Western identity, even though it is geographically located in the east. Because it can be said that Australia is one of the most important allies of the USA in particular and of the West in general in the Asia-Pacific. For this reason, it can be predicted that the relations to be developed between Jakarta and Canberra will be critical for the containment of China and will increase the military and geopolitical influence of the West in this region.
As a result, the USA wants to surround China in the Asia-Pacific, which adds a regional perspective to the competition on the Washington-Beijing line. As a matter of fact, the alliance relations established by the Washington administration in the region draw attention. It is seen that Indonesia has become one of the key actors in these cooperations.
[1] “As PacWest Shares Dive, Are We Seeing the 2008 Financial Crisis All over Again?”, Cable News Network, https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/11/business/2008-banking-crisis-comparison/index.html, (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
[2] “Having Lagged far behind China for Decades, can India Replicate China’s Success in GDP Ranking Any Time Soon?”, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202209/1274920.shtml, (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
[3] “The World’s Largest Economies”, World Data Info, https://www.worlddata.info/largest-economies.php, (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
[4] “US Policy of Containment: Definition, Cold War&Asia”, Study Smarter UK, https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/history/cold-war/us-policy-of-containment/, (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
[5] “The United States and Australia: A Vital Partnership fort he Indo-Pacific Region and the World”, U. S. Department of State, https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-and-australia-a-vital-partnership-for-the-indo-pacific-region-and-the-world/ (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
[6] “The ‘QuadFather’: The Legacy of Shinzo Abe and the Quad”, Observer Research Foundation, https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-quadfather-the-legacy-of-shinzo-abe-and-the-quad/, (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
[7] “Aukus Deal: US, UK and Australia Agree on Nuclear Submarine Project”, British Broadcasting Corporation News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-64945819, (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
[8] “Germany, Indonesia Agree to Strengthen Defense Ties”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/germany-indonesia-defense-ministers-12bc802aaef3926e019903261a88f1d7, (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
[9] “Germany, Indonesia Agree to Strengthen Defense Ties”, ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/germany-indonesia-agree-strengthen-defense-ties-99836708, (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
[10] “Germany and Indonesia Strengthen Defense Cooperation, Plan Joint Military Exercise”, Fox News, https://www.foxnews.com/world/germany-indonesia-strengthen-defense-cooperation-plan-joint-military-exercise, (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
[11] “Indonesia, Australia Affirm Defense Ties Amid China Concerns”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-australia-defense-ministers-4346d837bf22512b445c6c3ced7ea7f6, (Date of Accession: 06.06.2023).
