Indonesia at the Crossroads of BRICS and Washington: Testing the ‘Free and Active’ Foreign Policy

Source: TribunNews.com | Original Published At: 2026-01-26 05:57:53 UTC

Key Points

• Indonesia joined BRICS in January 2025 as part of a strategic shift toward Global South partnerships and economic diversification.
• Participation in the US-initiated Board of Peace for Gaza in 2026 creates ideological contradictions with BRICS members China and Russia, who criticize US Middle East policies.
• The article questions Indonesia's policy consistency, noting risks of appearing to legitimize US agendas while maintaining BRICS commitments.
• Highlights funding concerns around the Gaza initiative, where Indonesia claims non-financial participation but faces political legitimacy risks.
• Warns of potential US economic pressure through trade tariffs amid Indonesia's trade surplus with America.