Highlighting Geopolitics, Megawati: US Is a Superpower but Still Cannot Defeat Iran
Indonesia’s 5th president and chairwoman of the PDI-P, Megawati Soekarnoputri, has called on all Indonesians to understand global geopolitical dynamics in order to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
The message was delivered by Megawati while acting as ceremony inspector at the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence at the At-Taufiq Mosque field, PDI-P Party School, Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Monday, 17 August 2026.
Megawati highlighted the national resilience of other countries, including Iran, which she said has been able to withstand pressure from a global superpower thanks to the discipline and solidarity of its people.
“If you want to understand politics, the thing called geopolitics — the question is, why has America, which is said to be a superpower, in my view, still not been able to defeat Iran to this day? Think about it with a political mind. Why is that? It is not only about money, but what? The unity of the Iranian nation is extraordinary! Just imagine, they are not divided,” Megawati said.
She added that history shows a nation’s resilience depends heavily on the principle of mutual cooperation and internal unity that is not easily shaken by outside intervention.
“I have read Iran’s history — a country that has not been defeated for almost a thousand years. Why? Because its people work together, united as one,” she stressed.
Megawati further corrected the common view that a country’s strength is determined by material wealth. According to her, Iran’s resilience against US pressure proves it is not merely a matter of financial factors, but rather the complete unity of its people.
Beyond Asia and the Middle East, she also urged the public to emulate the discipline and fighting spirit of European countries, which consistently make education and public health the main foundation for mastering science and knowledge.
Megawati stressed that Indonesia must draw important lessons from these global dynamics. In her view, the unity of all elements of the nation is the main bulwark against any threat to the territorial sovereignty of the NKRI.
She asked the public not to be indifferent if there are parties attempting to disrupt or take control of Indonesian territory.
“We should be like that! If someone starts trying to take what is called our region, will we just let it happen? We must be united, steadfast, steadfast, steadfast, so that Indonesia can endure forever,” Megawati said.