How might the ‘major’ US-Indonesia defence partnership impact Southeast Asia?

SINGAPORE: The signing of a “major” defence partnership between the United States and Indonesia reflects a “practical alignment of interests” between Jakarta’s push to modernise its armed forces and Washington’s efforts to deepen ties with a strategically vital Southeast Asian power, analysts told CNA. It also signals a relationship that is on an “upward” trajectory, compared to their chequered past with Indonesian military officials previously barred from entering the US amid purported human rights violations. These include President Prabowo Subianto and reportedly also Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. And this, analysts say, may have a broader impact on the region and…