UNAIR NEWS The Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia TNI) has officially declared the highest alert status (Siaga I) since Sunday, March 1, 2026, following rising global geopolitical tensions. The policy responds to the escalating conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Responding to the escalation, a lecturer in International Relations at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), 51 (), Fadhila Inas Pratiwi, S.Hub.Int., M.A., shared her perspective. According to her, the heightened military readiness does not indicate that Indonesia will directly engage in a confrontational war.
Anticipating multidimensional threats
Pratiwi explained that the highest alert status represents an anticipatory defense against the increasingly complex situation in the Middle East. Uncontrolled tensions risk triggering global instability, both in terms of security and the economy, she stated.
From an international relations perspective, the threats most likely to affect Indonesia are non-traditional in nature. These include cross-border radicalization, narratives of extremism, and propaganda that may trigger horizontal conflicts, she explained.
Furthermore, the escalation also creates vulnerabilities in national maritime and cybersecurity sectors. Potential disruptions to the safety of Indonesian citizens (WNI) in conflict areas are also important concerns that the government needs to anticipate.
Beyond security, the geopolitical dynamics also directly affect trade. The Middle East conflict is closely linked to strategic trade routes, energy supply, and global oil prices, she added.
Therefore, increasing national preparedness becomes a risk mitigation step against inflationary pressures. Fortunately, domestic oil reserves have been supported as Pertamina tankers recently managed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Reaffirming the independent and active principle
On the other hand, Pratiwi assessed that Indonesias current foreign policy direction, which involves participation in the Board of Peace (BoP), may reduce its diplomatic independence. This was reflected in the governments delayed response in expressing condolences over the killing of Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The role as a bridge builder and peace advocate through multilateral forums such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and ASEAN is also less visible, she criticized.
As a sovereign state, Pratiwi emphasized that Indonesia must reaffirm its independent and active foreign policy principle to avoid being drawn into geopolitical rivalries. An independent position is crucial to encourage peaceful and comprehensive conflict resolution.
The governments main focus, she added, should be directed toward ensuring the safety of its citizens amid the tense situation. At the very least, humanitarian diplomacy and the protection of Indonesian citizens (WNI) must remain top priorities, she concluded.
Author: Muhammad Yasir Dharmawan Diniy
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
