How might the ‘major’ US-Indonesia defence partnership impact Southeast Asia?

Andreea Neblea

Analysts say the new Major Defence Cooperation Partnership inked by both sides on Apr 13 is mainly about modernising the Indonesian armed forces, but it could still test Jakarta’s room to manoeuvre diplomatically.   SINGAPORE:  The signing of a  “major” defence partnership between the United States and Indonesia reflects a  “ practical alignment of interests ” between Jakarta’s push to  modernise its armed forces and Washington’s efforts to deepen ties with a strategically vital Southeast Asian