Indonesia

Putin to skip Rio BRICS summit over ICC warrant as Xi signals no-show

bnl editorial staff June 25, 2025

Brazil's hosting of next month's BRICS summit is being overshadowed by the likely absence of two of the bloc's most powerful leaders, threatening to dent the gathering's geopolitical significance.

Drawing the line: Indonesia settles long-running Aceh–North Sumatra dispute

bno - Jakarta Office June 25, 2025

Aceh, located at the northern tip of Sumatra, is a special autonomous province with the right to implement Sharia law. It has a distinct political identity shaped by decades of conflict, which ended with the 2005 Helsinki peace agreement.

COMMENT: The long road to a BRICS-led world order hits familiar obstacles

Ricardo Martins in Utrecht June 24, 2025

Brazil's upcoming BRICS summit exposes the bloc's growing pains as 21 members wrestle with deep divisions. The group's ambitious challenge to US financial dominance hits reality as internal disagreements threaten its push for global clout.

China’s curb on rare earth magnet exports could significantly impact Indian EV manufacturing

bno - Mumbai Office June 20, 2025

India’s automotive sector is navigating an emerging supply-side challenge as China’s recent export controls on rare earth elements and magnets begin to disrupt shipments and strain global supply networks.

Minister’s denial of 1998 mass rapes in Indonesia sparks outcry

bno - Surabaya Office June 20, 2025

“What actually happened? We never truly know. Who said it was mass rape? It was all hearsay,” Fadli said in a recent podcast interview.

Indonesia’s President Subianto guest of honour at Russia’s SPIEF investment conference

Ben Aris in Berlin June 19, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Constantine Palace near St Petersburg on June 19, marking the start of Subianto’s first official visit to Russia since taking office in late 2024.

Asia's role as a global data centre hub is driving economic growth across the region

bno - Taipei Office June 19, 2025

Microsoft and Google recently announced multi-billion dollar investments to expand their existing facilities in Singapore, incorporating AI-ready infrastructure and renewable energy commitments.

ASIA BLOG: Which side leading Asian nations would back if Iran VS Israel escalates

bno - Taipei Office June 19, 2025

In the event of an escalation, Beijing would likely call for restraint and push for a negotiated settlement. It may be doing so already behind the scenes. However, its silence or perceived tilt towards Tehran could provoke criticism from the West.

Indonesia caught between a rock and a hard place on the Iran-Israel conflict

bno - Jakarta Office June 18, 2025

As open hostilities once again affect millions in the Middle East, 42 Indonesian citizens have found themselves stranded in Tel Aviv after Israel closed its main international airport.

What the Iran-Israel war could mean for much of Asia

bno - Taipei Office June 17, 2025

From energy security and trade disruptions to political polarisation and rising tensions among Muslim-majority nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia and nuclear armed Pakistan, the consequences for Asia could reshape regional dynamics.

Asia surges ahead in global EV race as the West struggles to keep pace

bno - Taipei Office June 13, 2025

Asia has firmly established itself as the epicentre of the global electric vehicle revolution, driven by a powerful combination of vast consumer markets, robust infrastructure and unparalleled control over essential raw materials.

The hidden cost of Indonesia’s nickel ambitions

bno - Jakarta bureau June 12, 2025

Indonesia ranks among the top global producers of nickel, a critical component in electric vehicle batteries, smartphones, and wind turbines - making the country central to the global shift toward clean energy

ASIA BLOG: The Russians are coming, and coming, and coming...

bno - Taipei Office June 12, 2025

Since President Putin announced partial mobilisation in September 2022, hundreds of thousands of Russian men – mainly in their 20s and early 30s – have fled the country to avoid being drafted. Many have ended up in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia fast-tracks OECD bid as part of geopolitical balancing act

bno - Surabaya Office June 12, 2025

Indonesia is accelerating its efforts to become a full member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, positioning itself as a reform-oriented emerging economy with aspirations for global policy influence.

COMMENT: What Japan, Southeast Asia and the US can expect from South Korea’s new president

bno - Taipei Office June 11, 2025

While he has not shied away from criticising Tokyo, Lee has sensibly signalled a willingness to compartmentalise some issues in order to foster cooperation on trade, technology and regional security.

ASIA BLOG: How US tariffs are driving Asia closer to itself – and China

bno - Taipei Office June 9, 2025

What’s striking right now is how ASEAN is operating on two levels. Publicly, it champions inclusivity and dialogue. Privately, it’s hedging harder than ever.

The fall of Sritex: unravelling the collapse of Southeast Asia’s textile giant

bno - Jakarta Office June 5, 2025

Once celebrated as Southeast Asia’s largest textile producer, the Indonesian firm shuttered its operations, resulting in job losses for nearly 11,000 workers across Central Java. The closure sent tremors through the nation’s economy.

COMMENT: Asian unity in a fragmenting world boosted by the RCEP

bno - Taipei Office June 5, 2025

In the face of renewed US protectionism and the use of tariffs as economic weapons, RCEP offers the Indo-Pacific region something far more strategic: a framework for resilience, integration and independence.

COMMENT: Asia's team lists in the Washington VS Beijing bout

bno - Taipei Office June 4, 2025

While fewer in number, some Asian nations have displayed clear signs of alignment or strategic proximity to China.

COMMENT: US Defence Secretary Hegseth tells Asian countries war with China “could be imminent”

bne IntelliNews June 3, 2025

US Secretary for Defence Pete Hegseth put the cat amongst the pigeons during a speech at the at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31, by telling the leading Asian countries they should join with the US and get ready for war with China.

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