Indonesia's Strategic Environment: Competition over Cooperation

Abstrak

Dynamics of International Relations in the third quarter of 2013 showcase two traditional patterns between competition and cooperation. This article depicts several events within the scope of international relations during the period of June-September 2013. Such events evidently illustrate Indonesia's strategic environment, in the regional and international level, still corresponds to the patterns of competition which can lead to conflict, and patterns of cooperation that can build peace.

There were at least three events in international affairs on the third quarter of 2013, which bring quite significant impacts on Indonesia. First, in the region of Southeast Asia, the Summit of ASEAN Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Bandar Seri Begawan. The second event was in the region of Middle East, especially the crises in Egypt and Syria, which create significant global impacts. The third event was the meeting between two major power leaders, the United States and China.