Tag Archives: Indonesia
Dear SBY re: Terrorism Strategy
Dear SBY: You got re-elected. Noordin Top is dead. And terrorism in Indonesia has faded from the headlines. After the first half of this decade, Indonesian intelligence co-opted terrorist groups and brought them into the conversation. After multiple bombings earlier … Continue reading
“This is a Lebaran gift for the people of Indonesia”
Terrorism is not new and it was certainly not a twenty-first century invention. Our collective reactions to acts of terrorism are, in part, what defines the success of the terrorist act itself. Often, we don’t do too well. The Indonesian … Continue reading
7.0
I remember distinctly where I was on September 11, 2001. I remember where I was on October 12, 2002. I remember where I was on December 26, 2004. I remember where I was on July 17, 2009. And I will … Continue reading
Teeth! I see teeth!
Forget the jilbab. The most noticeable change in the way candidates presented themselves during the recent Indonesian presidential campaign wasn’t necessarily with the wives, but with the men. After most Indonesian candidates in the previous legislative election presented their public … Continue reading
Political Trust
I had a conversation with an Indonesian friend about the conspiracies circulating after the Marriot and Ritz bombings. One to date – SBY, the re-elected President, orchestrated the bombings himself. It’s ridiculous to even consider this possibility. My friend agreed … Continue reading
Friday Morning, July 17 2009
At 8am Friday morning I jumped on the back on my ojek (“motorcycle taxi”) and made my way to the office. Traffic was unusually bad, even for Jakarta. It was the most peculiar sight. The police, who hang out and … Continue reading
Thoughts after the Indonesian Presidential Election
Indoamnesia. Ten years ago Indonesians parted ways with their disposition for unwavering social harmony and finally demanded that thirty plus years of Suharto’s New Order be brought to an end. Suharto resigned. Cronies and military men were self-exiled. Ten years … Continue reading
More Campaign Posters: Indonesia 2009
For a more amusing look at some of the Indonesian campaign posters on display for the parliamentary elections (which is today!), check out this page. My favorite:
Fashion in Political Campaigning
The campaign month for national elections in Indonesia is winding up with the election on April 9th. What do candidate’s wardrobe decisions tell us about them? What can fashion reveal about how political leaders see themselves, and how they view … Continue reading
Filed under Indonesia, International Relations, Politics
Papua II
Despite thunderous downpours and debilitating traffic, the launch of the PAPUA photo exhibition and book went really, really well. And yes, I’m biased, but it was great. The space is romantic – leafy tropical courtyards with open-air planning in large … Continue reading
