Editorial
As regional powers gather in Manila, the upcoming ASEAN summit presents a high-stakes test for President Prabowo to silence his critics, reclaim Jakarta's traditional leadership mantle, and break the deadlock over the bloody crisis in Myanmar.
(From left to right) Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Vietnam's Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Malaysia's Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Philippines' Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Brunei's Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono, Laos' Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Tin Maung Swe pose for a photo during an informal meeting with ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Bangkok, on July 12, 2026, in this handout photo released by Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (AFP/Thailand's Foreign Ministry/handout)
President Prabowo Subianto must fully leverage next week’s ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila to demonstrate to the nation and the international community alike that his foreign policy is anchored in careful, well-calculated judgment rather than spontaneity and impulsiveness.The President has repeatedly countered widespread criticism that his frequent overseas trips do little to alleviate Indonesia's domestic challenges, particularly a cooling economy and sluggish foreign investment inflows. While Prabowo has recently bowed to public pressure by pivoting his focus toward an urgent domestic agenda, Indonesia cannot afford to withdraw from its traditional geopolitical responsibilities.
