The Jakarta Option: Could Indonesia ever be an Ally?

Canberra and Jakarta face similar threats in a changing Asia. Could this lead to closer ties?

"Indonesia's commitment to Cold War-era non-alignment has only been possible because no force was capable of pressuring Jakarta to move beyond it. China may be that force." – SAM ROGGEVEEN

Canberra and Jakarta face similar threats in a changing Asia. Could this lead to closer ties? The twenty-first issue of Australian Foreign Affairs examines Australia's relationship with Indonesia and the prospects of the two neighbours working together to boost their collective security as tensions in Asia increase.

The Jakarta Option explores how Canberra should adapt to a changing Indonesia as the world's fourth-most populous nation enters a new era under its next president, the former general Prabowo Subianto, and outlines some of the social and economic challenges he will inherit.

• Sam Roggeveen considers why Australia and Indonesia need to form a military alliance, and what it might aim to achieve.
• Evan A. Laksmana argues that Indonesia's long-held policy of non-alignment will prevent it siding with Australia against China.
• Emma Connors examines Indonesia's prospects under its president-elect, Prabowo Subianto.
• Maria Monica Wihardja looks at the demographic challenges that Prabowo's economic plans will need to overcome.
• Bart Hogeveen & Gatra Priyandita call for Australia to lead a cyber peacekeeping effort in the Indo-Pacific.
• Sarah Percy assesses Australia's complex security challenges through a maritime lens.

PLUS: Ian Hall on India, Steven Ratuva on Pacific climate politics, and correspondence on AFA20- Dead in the Water from Josh Wilson, Jennifer Parker, Hugh White and more.