#Geopolitics
Zelensky vs. Trump: The critical minerals showdown
In the intricate world of global geopolitics and geostrategy, few meetings carry the weight of the recent encounter between President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and U.S. President Donald J. Trump. The high-stake meeting held at the White House on Febrary 28, 2025 unveiled the complex interplay of energy strategy, diplomacy, and national security that shapes our contemporary world.
Indonesia’s role in peace creation, denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula
Indonesia’s foreign policy after the first 100 days of the Prabowo Subianto administration has become a widely discussed issue. As a country that upholds bebas aktif (independent and active) foreign policy, Indonesia is expected to play a strategic role in various global issues, including peace on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea's denuclearization efforts.[1] Unlike the previous administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Prabowo’s military background, along with his distinct experience and ambitions, could exert an influence on Indonesia’s approach to security diplomacy and regional stability.
Trump’s Middle East policy and diminishing of US global leadership
The re-election of Donald Trump and his subsequent choices of individuals to sit on key positions in his administration signal a grim forecast for peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict and the United States' relations with the Muslim world. Since regaining office, President Trump has surrounded himself with staunchly pro-Israel hardliners who openly oppose efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and advocate for policies that support Israeli annexation of the West Bank.
North Korea-Russia cooperation in Ukraine War: Implications for global geopolitics
North Korea’s deepening involvement in the Ukraine-Russia war signals a pivotal shift in global alliances. North Korea has sent as many as 10,000 soldiers since October 2024 to help Russia in the fight against Ukraine at Moscow request. In early December, officials from Seoul, Washington, and Kyiv reported the entry of North Korean troops into the conflict in “significant numbers,” with South Korean intelligence estimating over 100 casualties so far. Though these figures remain unconfirmed, the presence of North Korean forces raises concerns about their potential impact on the battlefield and broader geopolitical dynamics.
Panama Canal and Trump's strategic outburst
The construction of the 82-kilometer Panama Canal, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, was initiated by the King of Spain in the 16th century, but later realized by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. It has been a major driver of global trade progress. Based on the 1977 agreement between the United States and Panama, full control of the canal was handed over to Panama in 1999. However, Donald Trump recently threatened to take back control of the canal, citing high transit tariffs and increasing China’s influence in the region, which he considers unfair and potentially disruptive to global geopolitical balance.
Tariff hike, geopolitical instability to benefit mining sector: BCA chief economist
The planned import tariff policy by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and geoploitical instability have the plotential to trigger inflation in the U.S. and impact the commodity sector and the rupiah exchange rate, but on the other hand provide windfall profits from rising commodity prices, especially for Indonesia’s mining sector, an economist says.