BRIN: Indonesia Needs to Engage Middle-Power Countries to De-escalate the Middle East Conflict

I am still waiting for a more decisive statement from the Indonesian Government.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has recommended that the Indonesian Government engage middle-power countries to help ease the conflict in the Middle East after the US-Israel strike on Iran.

I think that we, Indonesia in particular, cannot go it alone, but we also need to engage other countries, fellow nations who care about this peace issue, said Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a researcher at BRIN’s Center for Political Research, to ANTARA in Jakarta on Friday.

According to Dewi Fortuna, Indonesia could engage middle-power member states, ASEAN member states, and even other Permanent Five (P5) members to deliver a message that violence should be stopped.

“Calling for an end to the violence, especially those who are attacking, must stop. Iran is retaliating here, not starting; and it is in a self-defence position,” Dewi Fortuna said.

According to Dewi Fortuna, the military operation on February 28 clearly violated international law and Iran’s rights as a state guaranteed by the United Nations Charter (UN Charter).

She noted that Indonesia has previously criticised the US for attacks on Afghanistan in 2001 and the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

“I am still waiting for a more decisive statement from the Indonesian Government. That is, condemning, not only lamenting, not only urging de-escalation; but I think above all there should be a clear principle that we reject any intervention against the justice of a country that violates the Charter,” she said.

“Indonesia again emphasises the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country and resolving differences through peaceful means,” the statement added.

“Eight-time President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto also expressed readiness to facilitate dialogue to restore a conducive security environment if both sides agree. Prabowo is willing to travel to Tehran to mediate.