Democracy and Foreign Policy-Making in Indonesia: A Case Study of the Iranian Nuclear Issue, 2007–08

This article studies the impact of domestic politics on Indonesia’s foreign policy-making. Serving as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) from 2007 to 2008, Indonesia voted on two key resolutions concerning the Iranian nuclear issue. While approving international sanctions against Iran under UNSC Resolution No. 1747, the Indonesian government abstained from voting on Resolution No. 1803 which imposed additional sanctions on Tehran. This article argues that the country’s changing response to the Iranian nuclear issue was a consequence of domestic opposition. The case study specifically identifies the Muslim-majority population, religious mass organizations, and political parties, as key factors which weighed upon the “risk calculus” behind Indonesia’s foreign policy formulation. The article concludes that while the executive still drives the country’s foreign policy, Indonesia’s Parliament and social-political groups have gained new powers to influence the government into changing or even reversing existing policies.