During the early years of the Cold War the American as well as the Soviet leaders concentrated their political strategy primarily on the European territory. From the early 1950s onwards, however, their attention shifted towards the Asian and African world. Among the Asian countries, especially the new established Republic of Indonesia was soon considered as a significant strategic control point by both superpowers. Thus, in order to gain this young nation as a political ally, the US as well as the Soviet government continuously offered economic and military support during the next 20 years. Despite all these diplomatic efforts, Indonesia didn’t join any alliance. Following the 1949 proclaimed foreign policy of non-alignment, president Sukarno wanted to uphold a neutral position between the American and Soviet bloc. Until 1965, however, the Indonesian leader played a successful double game with the Cold War opponents through which he tried to benefit as much as possible.
Looking at the period between the end of the Second World War 1945 and Sukarno’s political overthrow in 1965, this paper analyzes two questions. On the one hand, it will focus upon the political attempts coming from the USA and the USSR in order to influence the Indonesian government. On the other hand, by illustrating the latter’s behaviour it will underline that Indonesia took a huge advantage from its triangle position between the American and the Soviet bloc and left the path of foreign neutrality soon after its independence.
Table of Contents
1. Summary
2. Introduction – The Cold War and Southeast Asia
3. Indonesian political situation between 1945 and 1949
4. The Indonesian Non-Alignment Policy put to test
5. Indonesia between American and Soviet influences (1950-1965)
5.1. The US-Indonesia relations
5.2. The Soviet-Indonesia relations
6. Conclusion
7. Bibliography
Research Objective and Core Themes
This paper examines Indonesia's foreign policy during the Cold War era (1945–1965), specifically investigating how President Sukarno navigated the competing influence of the United States and the Soviet Union while officially maintaining a stance of non-alignment.
- The geopolitical strategic importance of Indonesia during the Cold War.
- The evolution of US-Indonesia relations and the role of military and economic aid.
- The development of the Soviet-Indonesia relationship and ideological influence.
- The internal political factors shaping Indonesia's "double game" diplomacy.
- The practical realization vs. the ideal of the non-alignment policy.
Excerpt from the Book
4. The Indonesian Non-Alignment Policy put to test
As the introductory passage has shown, president Sukarno as well as his prime minister Hatta underlined the importance of an international neutral position, a constant policy of non-alignment, several times during the early beginnings of the independent Indonesian Republic. Thereby they gave the international community the impression that the Indonesian foreign policy would be “passive pragmatic” (Sukma 1995: 309) in the future. Soon after Sukarno had enlarged his political influence, however, observers from the American and the Soviet bloc realized that Indonesia wouldn’t continuously follow this path. One main reason for this alternating behaviour was without doubt the president himself. Already in the early 1950s, he played a non-transparent game between the external powers on the one hand and the internal parties on the other hand (Farid 2007). He proclaimed an independent foreign policy, but took economic and military aids from both super-powers during the Cold War period. His national attention applied to the non-Communist army, but concurrently he worked together with the Communist Party, which had development to an important political force (ibid.).
Looking at the scientific researches regarding Indonesia’s position during the Cold War, there exist a huge amount of books, interview and statistics that focus in detail on the non-alignment policy of Indonesia and Sukarno’s intransparent behaviour. Despite this multiplicity of analyzes, however, a clear picture can’t be drawn. There are many researches who argument in favour of a strong relationship between America and Indonesia. Others hold the position that the Southeast Asian state moved closer to the Soviet side between 1945 and 1965. A third group of political scientists and historians finds the idea of a neutral foreign policy approved. The following passages exemplifies this scientific discussion by presenting two different sources – one regarding the relationship between Indonesia and the United States, the other one dealing with the Soviet-Indonesian alliance.
Summary of Chapters
1. Summary: Provides an overview of Indonesia's strategic importance and President Sukarno's tactical navigation between Cold War superpowers to maximize national benefit.
2. Introduction – The Cold War and Southeast Asia: Sets the stage by explaining the ideological global conflict and the strategic entry of superpowers into the Asian region.
3. Indonesian political situation between 1945 and 1949: Details the struggle for independence from Dutch colonial rule and the internal socio-political tensions, including the Madiun Affair.
4. The Indonesian Non-Alignment Policy put to test: Analyzes the gap between the stated policy of neutrality and the actual diplomatic maneuvering pursued by the Indonesian leadership.
5. Indonesia between American and Soviet influences (1950-1965): Explores the bilateral dynamics, financial and military aid, and shifts in diplomacy with the US and the USSR respectively.
5.1. The US-Indonesia relations: Focuses on Washington’s efforts to contain communism and the frustrating diplomatic process with Sukarno under various US administrations.
5.2. The Soviet-Indonesia relations: Examines Moscow's strategic interest in Indonesia as a counterweight to China and the limits of the ideological alliance between the two.
6. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that non-alignment served more as an ideal than a consistent practice during Indonesia’s tactical balancing act.
7. Bibliography: Lists the academic literature, historical sources, and documentation used throughout the research paper.
Keywords
Cold War, Indonesia, Non-Alignment, Sukarno, Mohammad Hatta, USA, Soviet Union, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Madiun Affair, West New Guinea, Guided Democracy, Communism, Decolonization, Strategic Influence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this study?
The study investigates Indonesia’s foreign policy and its strategic maneuvering between the American and Soviet blocs during the Cold War period from 1945 to 1965.
What are the central themes of the research?
Key themes include the pursuit of national independence, the practical implementation of the non-alignment policy, the influence of superpower economic aid, and the diplomatic impact of internal Indonesian political shifts.
What is the core research question?
The research asks how the US and the Soviet Union attempted to influence the Indonesian government and whether the Indonesian leadership consistently adhered to its declared policy of non-alignment.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes a historical-analytical approach, synthesizing existing academic literature, historical documents, and studies regarding the diplomatic interactions between Indonesia and the two Cold War superpowers.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the political history of post-independence Indonesia, the specific diplomatic relations with the US and USSR, and case studies of international conflicts such as the dispute over West New Guinea.
How are the keywords defined for this work?
The keywords center on the Cold War, Indonesian leadership, diplomatic strategies, and the geopolitical context of Southeast Asia during the mid-20th century.
How did Sukarno's personal leadership style impact foreign policy?
Sukarno utilized an "intransparent" and "tactical" approach, effectively playing both superpowers against each other to secure resources while maintaining the outward appearance of neutrality.
Why did the US and Soviet Union show interest in Indonesia?
Both superpowers viewed Indonesia as a strategically vital control point in the Pacific with significant natural resources and a large population, making it an ideal target for ideological and military alliance-building.
- Arbeit zitieren
- B.A. Anna Leiber (Autor:in), 2014, A foreign policy of non-alignment? Indonesia's position during the Cold War, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/282696
