Escalation of the US–Israel–Iran conflict, PB HMI urges government to bolster national preparedness
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Central Board of the Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam (PB HMI) regards the militarised escalation in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran as potentially triggering ripple effects on global security stability, including in Indonesia. Therefore, PB HMI asks the government to strengthen national preparedness in facing the increasingly complex geopolitical dynamics.
The Head of the Legal, Defence and Security Bureau of PB HMI, Rifyan Ridwan Saleh said that the armed conflict which has been ongoing since the end of February 2026 has caused significant loss of life and heightened the risk of regional instability.
In addition to humanitarian impacts, the escalation is also seen as potentially affecting global energy stability, as well as maritime security. “The war in the Middle East is not just a regional conflict. In a globally interconnected security system, every military escalation has strategic implications that can affect the stability of other countries, including Indonesia,” said Rifyan in a statement in Jakarta, Thursday (5/3/2026).
PB HMI notes a number of domino effects that governments need to anticipate. First, disruption to global energy stability due to tensions in the Middle East, which is one of the world’s oil distribution hubs. Indonesia’s reliance on energy imports makes fluctuations in global oil prices potentially pressuring the national economy.
Second, rising geopolitical tensions could affect international maritime security. Indonesia as an archipelagic state situated along strategic world trade lanes—such as the Malacca Strait, Sunda Strait, and Lombok Strait—has a direct interest in safeguarding global shipping routes.
“Disruption to regional stability can raise maritime security risks, ranging from trade route disruptions to increased military activity in the Indo-Pacific,” said Rifyan.
Besides economic and security aspects, PB HMI also warns of potential social impacts domestically. International conflicts are often used as propaganda material that triggers ideological polarization or extremism narratives in the digital space.
According to PB HMI, national stability must be safeguarded through strengthened public geopolitical literacy, monitoring of digital propaganda, and a moderation-based approach in responding to international conflicts.
PB HMI stresses that Indonesia’s stance in facing global geopolitical dynamics should remain grounded in the constitution. The 1945 Constitution affirms Indonesia’s responsibility to participate in world order based on independence, lasting peace, and social justice.
“Free and active foreign policy should be realised through active diplomacy, contribution to world peace, and strengthening regional cooperation to maintain global security stability,” Rifyan explained.
As a nationwide youth organisation, PB HMI states its commitment to raising public awareness, especially among the younger generation, about the link between global conflict and national resilience.
PB HMI hopes the government will continue to strengthen national preparedness, both in diplomacy, economy, energy, and defence, to anticipate the evolving impacts of global conflict.
“Global conflict should remind us that national resilience is not determined solely by military power but also by economic, energy, and social stability. Indonesia needs to prepare for the evolving dynamics of geopolitics,” said Rifyan.