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Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The United States (USA) lifted a 20-year ban on Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. This is in the crosshairs of the international media.
South China Morning Post, for example. Citing some media experts, the United States took this step to balance China’s growing military and economic influence in the largest country in Southeast Asia.
Furthermore, Washington’s decision to host Prabowo comes amid rising tensions between the United States and China that are shaking Asia. China and the US are at odds on many issues, including the South China Sea (SCS).
Prabowo was a former commander of the elite forces of Kopassus. He was denied a US visa in mid-2000 when he wanted to attend his son’s graduation in Boston.
He told Reuters in 2012 that he was still unable to obtain a US visa. He is blamed for the riots that killed more than 1,000 people after the fall of former dictator Suharto in 1998.
The United States has been hesitant to lift the ban on Prabowo after his appointment as defense minister nearly a year ago. Although in that period China and Russia were aggressive in inviting Prabowo.
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, for example, visited Indonesia as part of a four-country tour last month. Prabowo was also invited to Russia to attend a military performance.
Subsequently, news emerged that the US Defense Minister specifically called Prabowo. Finally, Prabowo will be invited to the United States in mid-October.
Citing an observer from the National War College in Washington, Zachary Abuza considered Prabowo’s victory. “It is clear that the United States has waived sanctions for the sake of bilateral relations,” he said.
Meanwhile, researchers from Nanyang Technological University’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies said balancing China’s influence was important to the United States. “To ensure that Indonesia does not stray too far from the Chinese side,” said Alex Arifianto, still quoted by the same outlet.
“China has significantly increased its military and economic investment, particularly in infrastructure and mining, in Indonesia since taking office. [Presiden Joko Widodo] He took office in 2014, “he explained again.
Previously, according to the American media outlet The Politicio, the United States decided to grant Prabowo a visa as a condition for entering Uncle Sam’s country. This was also confirmed by Prabowo’s spokesman, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak.
This is related to the Pentagon’s invitation from US Defense Minister Mark Esper on October 15-19. “This invitation is to continue detailed discussions related to bilateral cooperation in the defense sector,” he said in the received press. CNBC Indonesia.
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