This article studies the impact of domestic poiitics on Indonesia's foreign policy-making. Serving as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Councii (UNSC) from 2007 to 2008, Indonesia voted on two key resoiutions concerning the Iranian nuciear issue. While approving international sanctions against Iran under UNSC Resolution No. 1747, the Indonesian government abstained from voting on Resolution No. 1803 which imposed additionai sanctions on Tehran. This article argues that the country's changing response to the iranian nuclear issue was a consequence of domestic opposition. The case study specificaily identifies the Muslim-majority population, religious mass organizations, and political parties, as key factors which weighed upon the "risk calculus" behind Indonesia's foreign policy formulation. The articie concludes that while the executive still drives the country's foreign policy, Indonesia's Parliament and socialpolitical groups have gained new powers to influence the government into changing or even reversing existing poiicies.Although foreign policy-making remains a state-centric and essentially executive-driven process in Indonesia, domestic political forces have lis Gi NDARSAH is a Researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

While maintaining a neutral position, Indonesia's approach to the South China Sea disputes is increasingly nuanced. CommentaryINDONESIA'S VIEWPOINT on the South China Sea disputes has been increasingly "nuanced" in recent years. This evolving perspective is being defined by four key dimensions of the country's interests with regard to the regional disputes involving China and a number of ASEAN members.These four factors relate to Indonesia's position as an archipelagic state; its economic interests; concern for stability on its periphery; and its aspiration for peace in the larger context of the evolving East Asian regional architecture.