On Wednesday, October 24, 2024, the Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UNDIP held a guest lecture with the theme Diplomatic Class “Indonesian Relations with the U.S. Looking Ahead,” ” which took place in the FISIP Auditorium. Collaborating with the US Embassy in Jakarta, this agenda also aims to commemorate 75 years of US-Indonesia bilateral relations. The event was opened with remarks by Mrs. Ika Riswanti Putranti, Ph.D., the Deputy Dean for Resources at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences.

Speakers who attended are Scott Linton, Ph.D. Deputy Political Counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta as a keynote speaker and Muhammad Faiq Adi Pratomo, S.IP, M.Sc from the Department of International Relation Faculty of Social and Political Science Universitas Diponegoro as the discussant. The discussion session was moderated by Muhammad Subhan, S.IP, M.InternatRel., from the Department of International Relations. Participants. Around 200 participants, including FISIP UNDIP students, attended this event.

In his speech, Scott Linton, Ph.D discussed the current political landscape in Indonesia with the new president being inaugurated. He also discussed ongoing geopolitics. Additionally, he touched on the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the U.S. through democracy. He says bilateral relations between Indonesia and the US have been implemented through comprehensive strategic partnerships in various fields, such as economics, defense and security, education, and culture.

In the Defense and Security Cooperation, the US views its defense relationship with Indonesia as a key partnership, with the two countries engaging in more than 220 joint military activities each year. A defense cooperation agreement was signed in 2023 and has been expanding training and maritime awareness. In Economic Cooperation and Strategic Minerals, Indonesia has been focusing on self-reliance and benefiting from its abundant critical minerals (like nickel) for renewable energy. It makes Indonesia’s export bans on resources like nickel have led to disputes with the WTO, particularly with the EU. In this case, Indonesia seeks stronger partnerships with the U.S. for renewable energy supply chains even though still faces challenges in meeting environmental and labor standards.

In People-to-People and Educational Ties, US. is proud to host many Indonesian students and offers support through programs like EducationUSA and the Young Southeast Asia Leadership Initiative (YSEALI). The presentation highlights educational and cultural exchange programs as vital for strengthening bilateral relations. Scott Linton, PhD said that the US welcomes more than 8,000 Indonesian students studying at US universities. Programs such as EducationUSA and the Young Southeast Asia Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) help facilitate student exchanges. The US has also supported thousands of Indonesian students through scholarships and educational exchange programs, like Fulbright and IVLP.

What Scott Linton, PhD. explained was then discussed by Faiq Adi Pratomo, S.IP, M.Sc. As a researcher in International Relations, Faiq highlighted how Prabowo’s leadership and the sustainability of the US-Indonesia bilateral relations. According to him, Prabowo’s defense policies focus on modernization and increasing defense budgets, with notable military acquisitions from the U.S. His stance on neutrality in foreign policy remains but with a focus on strengthening Indonesia’s defense capabilities.

The presentation received enthusiastic attention from the participants as shown by the many responses and questions from them. However, not all questions can be answered due to limited time. The moderator closed the discussion session by summarizing the material from each speaker. In conclusion, each speaker acknowledged the importance of continued cooperation. Despite changes in government in both countries, core interests such as security, prosperity and opportunities for the people remain a priority. This ensures that bilateral relations remain strong despite political changes. The event was then closed with a photo session.