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The establishment of national territorial boundaries is a strategic priority to safeguard sovereignty, maintain security stability, and strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Malaysia as well as Timor-Leste. As of 2024, there remain nine Outstanding Boundary Problems (OBP) with Malaysia and two unresolved segments with Timor-Leste. These issues stem from the continued relevance of outdated colonial agreements, limited diplomatic capacity, weak inter-agency coordination, and minimal support from modern surveying technology. Based on an analysis of four policy alternatives using the criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, and long-term impact, the Strengthening of Intensive Bilateral Diplomacy has been identified as the priority policy. Implementation is directed to the Badan Nasional Pengelola Perbatasan (BNPP) as the main coordinator, supported by regulatory frameworks, diplomatic resources, and cross-ministerial/institutional coordination. Through this strategy, the resolution of pending boundary segments can be accelerated, legal certainty over national territory can be strengthened, security stability in border areas can be improved, and bilateral relations can become closer. Furthermore, Indonesia needs to strengthen diplomatic strategies, leverage technology, and enhance inter-agency coordination to accelerate the resolution of national border disputes. This policy directly contributes to achieving territorial sovereignty and sustainable development toward Indonesia Vision 2045.

This study examines Egypt's security dilemma in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in response to the escalation of Houthi attacks on global maritime trade routes. Since late 2023, Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea have disrupted major sea trade lanes, posing a direct strategic threat to Egypt, which relies heavily on Suez Canal revenues as a primary source of national income. This research employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical method, using secondary data from academic journals, international policy reports, and credible news sources. The analysis is grounded in Security Dilemma theory and the concept of Maritime Security within the framework of International Relations. Findings show that Egypt faces a complex strategic dilemma: on one hand, it must safeguard its economic interests through stable Suez Canal operations; on the other, direct military intervention against the Houthis risks political backlash from Arab public opinion and entanglement in Yemen's civil war. Egypt's response has therefore been calibrated, prioritizing diplomatic channels and multilateral coalition participation over unilateral military action. This research contributes a novelty by specifically mapping Egypt's strategic constraints in the Red Sea as a middle power caught between great power competition and regional non-state actor threats.

This study examines the implementation of Indonesia’s Visa on Arrival (VoA) policy in DKI Jakarta as both an instrument of tourism-driven economic recovery and a component of non-military national defense management under Law No. 23 of 2019 on the Management of National Resources for National Defense. While VoA has significantly contributed to the rebound of international tourist arrivals—surpassing 11 million visits nationally in 2023—it simultaneously generates governance challenges at strategic entry points such as Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, where facilitation of mobility intersects with risks including overstaying, transnational crime, human trafficking, and potential infiltration by non-state actors. Existing scholarship largely emphasizes economic impacts and regulatory frameworks, leaving limited analysis of VoA as part of an integrated civil defense infrastructure. Addressing this gap, the study aims to analyze how VoA implementation in DKI Jakarta is managed within a non-military defense perspective, particularly regarding institutional coordination, immigration intelligence, and risk mitigation mechanisms. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with immigration officials and security stakeholders, document analysis of relevant laws and ministerial regulations, and review of official immigration statistics, followed by thematic analysis. The findings indicate that although VoA effectively supports economic and diplomatic objectives, its function as a non-military defense instrument remains constrained by fragmented inter-agency coordination, uneven intelligence integration, and limited adaptive governance capacity at the local level. Strengthening collaborative surveillance systems, data-sharing mechanisms, and strategic policy alignment between immigration authorities and national defense institutions is therefore essential. The study concludes that reframing immigration governance as part of Indonesia’s broader non-military defense strategy is crucial to balancing openness with security in high-density international gateways.

The COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a global health crisis that revealed China's political strategies in intricate ways. This study examines the political aspects of China's response to the outbreak, focusing on its information management, domestic policies, and international diplomacy. By analyzing narratives surrounding the virus's origins and its global spread, the research also assessed the pandemic's impact on Indo-China relations[1] across diplomatic and economic dimensions. The pandemic period also coincided with a sharp deterioration in bilateral trust between India and China, highlighted by the Galwan Valley clash and subsequent tensions along the Line of Actual Control, which deepened strategic mistrust and hardened India’s policy stance. The findings illuminate how political maneuvering has redefined China's geopolitical standing during this crisis, providing insights into the evolving landscape of Indo-Pacific relations. By uncovering these complexities, this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of health geopolitics and the underlying power dynamics.    

Consular services have become a critical site of state intervention in the governance of international labor migration, particularly for migrant-sending countries such as Indonesia whose citizens depend on overseas missions for administrative protection and access to public services abroad. Despite the growing importance of consular institutions in safeguarding migrant workers’ rights and welfare, existing scholarship remains fragmented, offering limited conceptual integration of how administrative capacity shapes institutional readiness in cross-border public service delivery. Addressing this gap, this article presents a structured narrative–integrative literature review that synthesizes international peer-reviewed studies on administrative capacity, policy capacity, consular services, and migrant worker protection published in the last five years. Drawing on Administrative Capacity Theory as the core framework, complemented by Public Service Theory, Policy Implementation Theory, Street-Level Bureaucracy, and Institutional Theory, the review systematically analyzes how different dimensions of capacity configure institutional readiness in consular services. The findings reveal that institutional readiness emerges from the interaction of four interrelated dimensions: human resource capacity, organizational and procedural capacity, institutional and coordination capacity, and resource and infrastructure capacity. Rather than functioning as isolated determinants, these dimensions collectively shape how consular institutions translate formal mandates into service outcomes under conditions of transnational governance, legal pluralism, and fluctuating demand. The review further demonstrates that frontline discretion, coordination gaps, procedural rigidity, and uneven resource allocation are recurrent patterns across the literature, underscoring the dynamic and practice-based nature of administrative capacity in consular contexts. Theoretically, this article contributes to public administration scholarship by extending administrative capacity frameworks into the underexplored domain of cross-border public services and by integrating previously segmented theoretical perspectives into a coherent conceptual synthesis. By reframing consular services as institutionally embedded public service systems rather than solely diplomatic functions, the article advances understanding of institutional readiness in migrant worker protection and provides a robust analytical foundation for future empirical and comparative research in international public administration.

MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) is a sub-sector with high economic value and a unique capacity to play a diplomatic role through interaction between international actors. At the regional level, the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit (Summit) has been used by Indonesia not only for economic purposes, but also as an arena for public diplomacy and soft power development. This article examines how the ASEAN Summit (especially the series of ASEAN 2023 activities spread across several locations including Labuan Bajo, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta) shows the function of MICE as a soft power instrument in Indonesian tourism diplomacy. By combining a literature review on soft power and tourism diplomacy, an analysis of official documents, MICE industry reports, and a case study of the 2023 ASEAN Summit, this paper identifies the mechanisms of influence, determinants of effectiveness, economic and reputational impact, and policy challenges. The results show that the ASEAN Summit provides a great opportunity for nation branding and international public engagement, but its effectiveness depends on policy synergy, MICE infrastructure readiness, image management, and post-event strategies to turn temporary exposure into long-term benefits.

This research analyzes the Indonesian government’s policy responses to combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in the Arafura Sea during 2023-2024, focusing on the case of the Run Zeng 03 and Run Zeng 05 vessels. These foreign-flagged vessels, owned by a Chinese company but registered under the Russian flag, were involved in illegal fishing and human rights violations against Indonesian fishery crew members. Using a qualitative descriptive approach supported by literature studies and official government data, this research analyzes how Indonesia implemented its maritime sovereignty through legal enforcement, inter-agency coordination, and international maritime diplomacy. The findings reveal that Indonesia’s measures, such as vessel monitoring AIS/VMS technology, law enforcement through arrests and seizures, and diplomatic engagement with flag states reflect a progressive but still reactive approach. The study identifies key challenges, including limited foreign authorities. This research highlights the need for an integrated policy framework that combines hard power (law enforcement and patrols) with soft power (international cooperation, economic diplomacy, and labor protection). The study concludes that a comprehensive and collaborative approach is essential to strengthen maritime governance and ensure sustainable, equitable management of Indonesia’s marine resources.

This study aims to analyze Indonesia’s foreign policy in the G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration of 2022 by mapping national interests to understand the direction and priorities of Indonesian diplomacy amid complex global geopolitical dynamics. Employing a qualitative descriptive-analytical approach and the Rational Choice Theory framework, this research examines how Indonesia, as G20 Presidency, conducted rational calculations between domestic interests and external pressures—particularly regarding the Russia–Ukraine conflict. The findings reveal that Indonesia successfully embedded its national interests into four main dimensions: non-traditional security, strategic economy (energy transition, digitalization, food security), an inclusive global order, and ideological values rooted in the free and active principle. These were effectively integrated into the final declaration. Through an active-inclusive diplomatic strategy including shuttle diplomacy and carefully neutral diplomatic language Indonesia maintained consensus despite deep geopolitical polarization. This demonstrates that Indonesia’s foreign policy during its G20 Presidency was the result of deliberate rational choice, not only addressing global challenges but also reinforcing its role as a credible middle power and bridge-builder. The study contributes theoretically to rationality-based foreign policy analysis and offers practical insights for future Indonesian multilateral diplomacy.

State speeches in international forums are a strategic arena for the practice of diplomacy and leadership image management. This study analyzes President Prabowo Subianto's rhetorical style in his speech at the 80th UN General Assembly on September 23, 2025. Using Aristotelian theory, namely ethos, pathos, and logos, to understand how rhetoric functions in strengthening political legitimacy, humanitarian solidarity, and international policy arguments. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach, this study examines transcripts of official speeches and identifies quotations that represent each persuasive mode. The analysis shows that Prabowo builds ethos through historical references, concrete actions of Indonesia such as the contribution of peacekeeping troops, and pathos is depicted through narratives of suffering, calls for solidarity, and an emphasis on the future of the younger generation; while logos is demonstrated through the presentation of data, policy plans such as the net-zero target, technical solutions such as sea walls, and systematic cause-and-effect arguments. This combination of ethos, pathos, and logos confirms that the speech was not simply a policy statement but also a rhetorical diplomatic tool that strengthened Indonesia's image as a constructive global actor. These findings contribute to the study of leadership communication and diplomatic rhetoric, particularly in the context of developing countries seeking to enhance the role of multilateralism and soft power.

This article explores the significance of ontological security in shaping Indonesia’s foreign policy formulation. Moving beyond material conceptions of security focused on military, economic, and territorial dimensions it argues that Indonesia’s foreign behavior is deeply influenced by the need to maintain a stable sense of national identity and historical continuity. As the world’s largest Muslim-majority democracy and a leading Southeast Asian nation, Indonesia consistently projects itself through identity-based narratives rooted in anti-colonialism and the “free and active” foreign policy doctrine. Its unwavering support for Palestinian independence, participation in the Non-Aligned Movement, and regional leadership in ASEAN illustrate how ontological security underpins diplomatic consistency and domestic legitimacy. However, the same identity-driven approach can also create friction between ideological commitments and pragmatic interests, particularly in managing relations with major powers such as China and the United States. The study concludes that while ontological security provides coherence and credibility, it also demands adaptive strategies. It recommends identity-sensitive diplomacy, coherent narrative management, strategic flexibility, and inclusive public engagement to ensure that Indonesia’s foreign policy remains balanced between identity preservation and practical global engagement.

This article explores the strategic role of bilateral diplomacy between Indonesia and the Philippines in strengthening ASEAN unity amidst regional political challenges. Using a qualitative research approach with descriptive analysis, it examines how diplomatic cooperation on security, conflict resolution, and economic collaboration has contributed to regional stability and integration. The study highlights Indonesia's role in mediating internal conflicts in the Philippines and joint efforts in maritime security. Despite geopolitical tensions and domestic political changes, the bilateral relationship remains crucial for ASEAN's resilience and cohesion. The findings emphasize the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement for fostering regional solidarity and addressing emerging global challenges.

With the rise in human migration across national boundaries in the age of globalization, the issue of dual citizenship has become more and more important. Dual citizenship brings up a number of issues in the context of international law about legal status, diplomatic protection, and allegiance to both the nation of origin and the nation of residence. Increased cross-border social interactions that push people to hold several citizenships, technological improvements, and increased global economic integration have all complicated this dynamic. As a nation that upholds the idea of a single citizenship, Indonesia has trouble aligning its national laws with the shifting global legal framework, which governs things like dual citizenship, migration, and statelessness. is often more accepting of the practice of dual citizenship. From an international law standpoint, this research seeks to examine the subject of dual citizenship and its consequences for Indonesia's citizenship legislation and legal system. With a juridical-comparative examination of international legal instruments, scholarly publications, and applicable national legislation, the study uses a normative methodology. The results show that Indonesia's single citizenship concept conflicts with the worldwide trend that prioritizes human rights, diverse identities, and diaspora protection. Indonesia, according to the research, should think about changing its citizenship laws to take into account global concerns while still protecting its sovereignty, national stability, and core national values.

The phenomenon of Indonesian migrant workers reflects a critical nexus between labor migration, international law, and sustainable development. Indonesia is among the world’s largest labor-sending countries, with millions of its citizens employed abroad, particularly in the Middle East and Asia. Remittances from migrant workers provide substantial economic benefits for the state and households, yet these workers often face systemic vulnerabilities including exploitation, discrimination, and inadequate legal protection. This article examines the extent to which international law and Indonesia’s national legal framework safeguard the rights of migrant workers while contributing to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. International instruments such as the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and their Families (ICRMW) and relevant ILO conventions provide comprehensive standards, but their effectiveness is constrained by limited ratification from key receiving states. At the domestic level, Indonesia has enacted Law No. 18 of 2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (UU PPMI), which represents a shift toward state responsibility and alignment with international human rights norms. Nevertheless, implementation challenges ranging from weak enforcement and bureaucratic overlap to insufficient diplomatic support abroad remain significant. The findings suggest that while Indonesia has made normative progress, practical protection is hindered by governance gaps and lack of cooperation from host countries. Strengthening enforcement, regional collaboration, and worker empowerment are crucial to ensuring that Indonesian migrant workers achieve genuine “decent work” as envisioned by SDG 8.

The Umayyad Dynasty (661–750 AD) was the first Islamic dynasty to implement a hereditary monarchy and played a significant role in the massive expansion of Islamic rule. After the end of the Caliphate, power passed to Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan, who founded the dynasty and moved the center of government to Damascus. This study aims to examine the political, social, economic, and religious dynamics during the Umayyad Dynasty through qualitative methods and a literature review approach. The results of the study indicate that the success of the Umayyad expansion to Spain in the west and India in the east was driven by solid military strength, intelligent diplomatic strategies, and an established government administration system. In the economic aspect, the Umayyad Dynasty developed a taxation and currency system that supported the country's financial stability. Infrastructure such as roads, postal services, and communication systems were also improved to support connectivity between regions. In the social and cultural fields, interactions between various ethnicities and religions encouraged the development of science, art, literature, and architecture, including the emergence of a distinctive Islamic architectural style. However, the unequal social system between Arabs and non-Arabs (mawali), as well as discrimination within the government, fueled public dissatisfaction. Furthermore, sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Shiites exacerbated the domestic political situation. Inequities in the distribution of power, nepotism, and authoritarianism were the main causes of the weakening of support for the Umayyad government. Ultimately, this dynasty collapsed after being overthrown by the Abbasid Dynasty in 750 CE. This study emphasizes that the success of a government is greatly influenced by just leadership, an inclusive government system, and the ability to respond adaptively to socio-political challenges.

Macron's visit also commemorated 75 years of diplomatic relations and a decade of strategic partnership between Indonesia and France. This meeting showed how bilateral diplomacy can trigger long-term transformation in various sectors. The partnership is part of extending the diplomatic relations between the two countries, which will be 100 years old in 2050.  Indonesia and France are developing strategic partnerships in various important sectors, ranging from defense, technology, agriculture, economy, to culture. Both countries have the same vision of world order. The strategic partnership strengthens their positions in facing global uncertainty with a total of 21 strategic agreements. The forms of cooperation and strategic agreements between Indonesia and France include: 1) Defense sector, for example, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and the French Ministry of Armed Forces agreed to establish a strategic partnership related to the exchange and joint protection of confidential information in the defense sector, 2) Economic sector, both countries agreed to encourage more balanced trade and investment relations, including: (1). MoU between the National Nutrition Agency and Danone; (2). Danantara and Eramet; (3). Investment Agreement between PT RGE Indonesia and Total Energies; (4). Investment Agreement between PT Citra Bonang Indonesia and Lesaffre; (5). MoU between PT SMI, PT PLN, and HDF; (6). MoU between Bank Indonesia and Banque De France, 3) Indonesia and France agreed to encourage Palestinian independence. This is considered the only way to resolve the long conflict between Palestine and Israel. Humanity must be prioritized in order to realize peace in the region. Two State Solutions" or a two-state solution is the most diplomatic way out for Palestinian independence.

This research examines the impact and influence of Squid Game 2 on American public perceptions of South Korea, as well as how the series has become an instrument of soft power in bilateral relations between the two countries. This research is based on the increasing influence of South Korean popular culture in the global arena, especially in the entertainment industry that plays a diplomatic role and can shape public perception. The method used is descriptive qualitative with a case study approach. Data was collected using content analysis techniques obtained from various secondary data such as mass media articles, entertainment industry reports, previous research, and audience reviews on social media. The results showed that Squid Game 2 succeeded in increasing the interest and enthusiasm of the American public for South Korean culture, as well as strengthening South Korea's image and position as a global cultural force. The Squid Game 2 series became popular among the American public because of the storyline containing cultural elements, the characters played by well-known actors in South Korea, the long-awaited continuation of the story from the previous season, and the innovative marketing strategy that made fans actively promote the series voluntarily. Thus, in this phenomenon, the Squid Game 2 series became a tool of South Korean diplomacy in the United States through an approach based on the appeal of popular culture, namely the entertainment industry.

This study explores South Korea’s strategic defense response to the increasing threat from North Korea by examining the development and deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. The research analyzes geoplotical context, the application of balance of threat theory, and the dual role of THAAD as a military and diplomatic tool. Using a qualitative case study approach, findins indicate that South Korea’s deployment of THAAD reflects a rational response to North Korea’s missile and nuclear threat, reinforced by allliance commitments with the United States. However, the deployment also triggered the internal resistence and diplomatic tension, particularly with China. This paper concludes that while THAAD enhances detterence, its geopolitical consequences require careful diplomatic management.

Maritime conflicts in Southeast Asia place regional stability at great challenge, especially due to the importance of these waters as international transport routes. Claims for overlapping maritime areas, illegal activities such as trespassing and unregulated copyright fishing, in particular increased geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, have created a complex maritime security environment. These disputes not only affect state jurisdictional and maritime sovereignty, but also affect regional economic activities, including trade and marine tourism. This study uses a qualitative approach in literature research to examine the effects of these various topics on maritime stability and efforts to address legal channels and diplomatic conflicts. Using conflict theory, this study highlights the importance of regional co-operation, adherence to the International Sea Council, and the importance of adaptive security strategies as a step in mitigation. It also focuses on the relationship with maritime security with other important sectors such as logistics, energy and tourism, highlighting the need for collective action between countries in Southeast Asia.

The development of digital technology has a major impact on the dynamics of national security, especially more complex cyber threats. The purpose of this study is to analyze Indonesian diplomacy in combating digital threats as part of efforts to strengthen non-military defense systems. The method used is a qualitative approach through literature research from various literary sources, reports, and secondary data. The results of the study show that while Indonesia is exposed to increasing cyber attacks, regulations on digital safety infrastructure and regulations are still weak compared to other ASEAN countries. The conclusion of this study is the importance of strategic and sustainable digital diplomacy, not just technically. The novelty of this study lies in cybersecurity threats as an analytical tool to assess the integration of digital diplomatic indicators, sensitivity to the system, and the effectiveness of Indonesian diplomacy in the growth of global cybersecurity.

This region faces significant legal and geopolitical challenges due to the maritime conflict in the South China Sea, particularly China's unilateral claims over vast areas based on the Nine-Dash Line. This essay evaluates the direct impact of China's claims on Indonesia's sovereign rights, particularly in the North Natuna Sea, while critically examining the legitimacy of those claims in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. It is clear from legal precedents such as the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that the Nine-Dash Line is baseless under UNCLOS, which rejects historical claims as a legitimate basis for maritime rights. China's claimed maritime borders have included portions of Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which has resulted in frequent incursions by Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels. This has put Indonesia's maritime sovereignty, national security, and marine-based economy at risk. Indonesia has responded with a multi-pronged approach that includes deploying maritime forces to exert sovereignty over the disputed waters, strengthening domestic law in accordance with UNCLOS, and submitting diplomatic protests to the UN. Additionally, Indonesia is still pushing through ASEAN procedures for a regional code of conduct that is legally obligatory. The results highlight the international legal foundation of Indonesia's legal and policy responses and uphold UNCLOS's dominance as the main legal framework for maritime governance and dispute settlement in the Indo-Pacific area.