Indonesia
Editor, Greg Salisbury

Does the threat of terrorism emerging from Indonesia warrant reengagement
with the Indonesian military?
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Indonesia has existed as an independent nation since 1948.  It is the forth
largest country in the world by population with the largest Muslim
population of any country.  Approximately 90 percent of the population
follow Islam.

The debate over engaging with the Indonesian armed forces is again under
scrutiny.   The United States has a long history of selling arms to and
training the Indonesian military whose record of violating human rights is
one of the worst, particularly while under the control of Suharto during his
three decade long dictatorship.  Some improvements have taken place since
Suharto was forced out of power in May, 1998.

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Yes, because of the terror threat, the U.S. needs to reengage with the
Indonesian military.
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No, fundamentalist Islam in Indonesia is intrinsically different from that
in the Middle East and does not have the same interest to foment political
activity and violence.
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