The US lifted 20-year sanctions for Indonesia's Defense Minister: Targeting China together

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The US has just lifted 20-year sanctions against Indonesia's Defense Minister, Mr. Prabowo Subianto. The latest US decision is made in the context of increasing US-China tensions on a series of issues, including the South China Sea.

Immediately after the individual sanctions against Mr. Prabowo Subianto were lifted, the Indonesian Minister of Defense will have a high-level meeting with his US counterpart - Mr. Mark Esper.

According to a spokesman for Indonesia's Defense Ministry, the country is considered by the US to be a "strategic ally" in the Indo-Pacific region. Indonesia also understands "the importance of the US" in ensuring a peaceful and stable region.

The lifting of sanctions against Mr Prabowo is considered America's efforts to deal with the influential military and a growing economy of China in the region.

Mr. Prabowo had been sanctioned and banned from entering the United States in mid-2000. He was not even allowed to go to Boston (USA) to attend his son's graduation. The Indonesian defense minister was accused by the US of being involved in deadly violence. Mr. Prabowo denied this.

Nearly a year ago, when Mr. Prabowo took office as Indonesia's Defense Minister, the US wanted to lift the sanctions.

Mr. Prabowo is seen as a character that both China and Russia seek.

Mr. Ronodipuro, spokesman for Mr. Prabowo, said the Indonesian Minister of Defense will "discuss military matters and cooperation between the two countries", during a meeting with Mr. Mark Esper.

“The US has always played an important role in acquiring and upgrading Indonesia's strategic defense arsenal . Under the current conditions, the relationship between the two countries will continue to be enhanced, ”said Mr. Ronodipuro.

It is not clear whether Mr. Prabowo's US visit will take place before or after the presidential election.

“Removing the sanctions at the moment is weird but nonetheless good news for Mr. Prabowo. The lifting of US sanctions can be clearly seen for the sake of bilateral relations in the context of China's increasing regional influence, ”said Zachary Abuza, professor at the National War College (USA).

“No country wants to choose sides between China or the US at this time. Even amid concerns about China's aggression in the South China Sea, countries in the region maintain neutral relations between the US and Beijing. China plays an important role in helping Indonesia recover its economy in the Covid-19 epidemic, ”said Abuza.

"The US does not want Indonesia to go too far towards China", said Alex Arifianto - an analyst at Nanyang Technological University - commented.

The Trump administration is said to have not interacted with allies in Southeast Asia as much as it did under former President Obama.

However, given China's ambitions in the South China Sea, both the United States and Indonesia have shown dissatisfaction and can work together.

“Mr. Prabowo tended to lean more towards America than China. Mr. Prabowo's US visit was a positive for US defense relation