Ambiguity and Sadli’s Law
May 9, 2017– My recent visit to Indonesia underlined a defining feature of Indonesia’s political economy: ambiguity. The common theme among all my meetings with local as well as international […]
Is Barbie Guilty ?
I will be visiting Indonesia next week and will likely be asked about President Trump’s trade policy, articulated in his recent executive orders. Will Indonesia, one of 16 countries under […]
Indonesia’s Ticking Time Bomb
Commentary by Wayne Forrest I fear a ticking time bomb could soon explode in Indonesia. Its probably not what you think; its not a natural disaster or mass movement based […]
Regret
There’s a lot of regret going around these days. Democrats, who lost a close election, no doubt regret they didn’t do more to convince Midwest rust belt voters worried about […]
Honking in the Free World
Commentary by Wayne Forrest Their signs read “Om Telolet Om”. It simply means, “sir, honk your horn, sir”. Young girls and boys, especially in Jakarta, hold them up for passing […]
Ahok, Trump, and The Way Forward
Commentary by Wayne Forrest Saying anything about a Trump Administration and its effect on US- Indonesia relations now could prove to be a fool’s enterprise, but this month’s commentary will […]
Two Years In
Two years into his 5 year term President Jokowi is exhibiting some of the qualities of former President Suharto. I say this not to compare them in any fundamental way […]
The Big Number
Commentary by Wayne Forrest AMCHAM Indonesia and the US Chamber of Commerce recently released the fourth in their terrific annual series of reports that collectively put the US as perhaps […]
Educated Abroad
Commentary by Wayne Forrest Indonesia has always had an ambivalent attitude towards foreigners, foreign investment, and Indonesians educated abroad. I began thinking about this during the latest Cabinet reshuffle when […]
Cabinet Rebalance 2.0- The Avoidance of Conflict
Commentary by Wayne Forrest The avoidance of conflict and embarrassment can be a strong dynamic in Javanese culture. In the world of the shadow puppets (wayang), a balanced, steady state […]