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00:00In the theater of global power, familiar names dominate, America, China, Russia. These nations
00:09have long set the pace, shaping the world's agenda, and commanding the spotlight at every
00:13major summit. Yet, beneath the emerald canopy of its rainforests and across 17,000 islands,
00:19Indonesia is rising. This vast archipelago stretching from the Indian to the Pacific,
00:24is quietly gathering momentum, its presence growing stronger with each passing year,
00:28once seen only as a tourist destination or a site of tragedy, Indonesia is now stepping onto the
00:34world stage with undeniable force. Its story is no longer defined by beaches or disasters but by
00:39ambition, resilience and transformation. As of July 12, 2025, the world is waking up to a new reality.
00:47The fourth most populous nation is no longer just a regional player. Indonesia's cities pulse with
00:52energy, and its people are more connected and engaged than ever before. With an economy now
00:57larger than the UK or France in purchasing power parity, Indonesia is building its own table and
01:03inviting others to join. Its financial districts gleam with new investment, and its influence is
01:08felt in boardrooms and markets worldwide. This transformation is not sudden, but the result
01:12of steady construction, rooted in natural wealth, a young population, and a spirit forged by history.
01:18Generations have worked to lay the foundation for this moment, blending tradition with innovation.
01:23The quiet hum of potential has become a roar, factories buzz with activity, city centers team
01:29with life, and the nation's ambitions are now impossible to ignore. From Jakarta's high-speed
01:34railways to Sulawesi's nickel mines, Indonesia is writing a new chapter. Infrastructure projects and
01:40resource development are transforming the landscape and fueling growth. The world watches as this ambitious
01:45archipelago charts its own course. International media and leaders are taking notice, eager to understand
01:50Indonesia's next move. The question is no longer if Indonesia will be a global player, but what kind
01:56of power it will become. Will it lead with diplomacy, innovation, or economic might? Will it stabilize a
02:01fractured world? Or will internal and external pressures shape its destiny? The choices Indonesia
02:06makes now will echo far beyond its shores. One thing is clear, Indonesia is now an author of the unfolding
02:12global story, and the world is watching as its next chapter begins.
02:20Indonesia's superpower ambitions are powered by a formidable economic engine. As of 2025, it stands
02:26as the world's seventh largest economy by purchasing power parity, outpacing many western nations. This
02:31growth is driven by a massive domestic market and a bold resource nationalism strategy. With over 280
02:37million people, Indonesia's consumer base fuels internal growth and resilience. The nation's handling of
02:42vast resources, especially nickel, sets it apart. By banning raw nickel exports, Indonesia forced
02:48global companies to invest in domestic processing, skyrocketing export values, and building a high-value
02:54industrial base. This approach, though risky, has attracted foreign investment and given Jakarta new
02:59confidence on the world stage. The wealth generated is fueling military modernization, infrastructure,
03:05and diplomatic initiatives. Indonesia's economic rise is the foundation of its superpower story,
03:10providing the credibility and clout to be taken seriously. The world can no longer ignore the
03:15gravitational pull of Indonesia's dynamic economy.
03:20In January 2025, Indonesia made headlines by officially joining the BRICS bloc, sending shockwaves
03:27through the global order and sparking intense debate among analysts and policymakers worldwide.
03:32This was more than mere symbolism. It was a bold, calculated move to align with the rising global south,
03:37and to assert Indonesia's growing influence on the world stage. With Indonesia's entry,
03:42BRICS now accounts for nearly 39% of global GDP in PPP terms, officially eclipsing the G7 and shifting
03:49the balance of economic power. For Indonesia, this is the culmination of a legacy stretching back to the
03:541955 Bandung Conference, reaffirming its leadership among developing nations and reviving the spirit of
04:00South-South cooperation that first took root in Bandung. BRICS membership gives Jakarta a powerful
04:05platform to push for reforms at the World Bank and IMF, and to champion alternative financial systems
04:10less reliant on the US dollar, a long-standing Indonesian ambition. It also strengthens Indonesia's
04:16bargaining position with both the West and China, signaling to the world that it won't be forced to
04:20choose sides in the new era of great power competition. The bloc's focus on local currency
04:26trade aligns perfectly with Indonesia's own de-dollarization efforts in ASEAN, opening new
04:31opportunities for regional economic integration and financial independence. However, joining a
04:37bloc with Russia and China complicates relations with the US, requiring careful nuanced diplomacy to
04:42avoid alienating key partners, and to maintain Indonesia's strategic autonomy. Indonesia's move
04:48is clear, it's no longer content to be a rule-taker but now aims to help shape a more multi-polar world,
04:53where emerging economies have a real voice. The challenge now is to balance these new alliances
04:58without alienating old partners, and to navigate a complex web of global interests. As the world
05:03watches, Indonesia is stepping up as a rule-maker on the global stage, determined to shape the future
05:08of international relations. Indonesia's rise demands a delicate balancing act between the US,
05:17China, and Russia. Jakarta has skillfully leveraged its position, extracting benefits from all sides while
05:23maintaining independence. China is Indonesia's top trading partner and investor, especially in
05:28infrastructure and nickel, but strategic mistrust lingers, especially over incursions in the Natuna
05:33Islands. The US remains a vital partner, providing markets, investment and security cooperation,
05:38viewing Indonesia as a democratic anchor in Asia. Russia, while less economically significant,
05:43is a key defense supplier, allowing Indonesia to diversify its military procurement. By managing these
05:49relationships, Indonesia maximizes its autonomy, and avoids being drawn into any single orbit.
05:54This strategic flexibility is essential for any aspiring superpower. The challenge is to maintain
05:58this balance as global tensions rise. Indonesia's diplomatic agility is its greatest asset,
06:04and its greatest test. The world is watching to see if it can keep walking this tightrope.
06:11Indonesia's foreign policy is guided by Bebas dan Aktif, independent and active. This doctrine,
06:17rooted in the nation's anti-colonial struggle, means refusing to align with any single power while
06:22actively shaping global affairs. Indonesia's leadership at the 1955 Bandung Conference birthed
06:28the non-aligned movement, giving it lasting diplomatic credibility. Today this legacy allows Jakarta to
06:34welcome Chinese investment, conduct military exercises with the US, and buy Russian jets, all while
06:39maintaining neutrality. This flexibility prevents Indonesia from being dragged into proxy conflicts,
06:45and enhances its role as a mediator. But in a polarized world, maintaining independence is
06:51harder than ever, as both Washington and Beijing pressure nations to choose sides. The success of
06:56this doctrine will determine if Indonesia can truly become a sovereign global power. Its ability to
07:01uphold non-alignment is the ultimate test of its statecraft. The world is watching to see if
07:06Indonesia can remain truly independent. Indonesia's superpower journey begins in Southeast Asia,
07:14where it anchors ASEAN as the region's largest economy and population. Its leadership is built on
07:19consensus, diplomacy, and a commitment to peaceful dispute resolution. By driving ASEAN initiatives,
07:25like economic integration and de-dollarization, Indonesia amplifies its influence far beyond its borders.
07:31The move to use local currencies for trade, championed by Indonesia, reduces regional dependence
07:36on the US dollar and aligns with BRICS goals. A stable, prosperous Southeast Asia is fundamental
07:41to Indonesia's own security and growth. By investing in ASEAN, Indonesia invests in itself,
07:46enhancing its prestige and making it indispensable to global powers. Its ability to unite this diverse
07:51region is proof of its diplomatic maturity. Indonesia's regional leadership is a key pillar of its global
07:56ambitions. With President Prabowo Subianto's inauguration, Indonesia's path is one of continuity,
08:05infused with stronger nationalism and military modernization. The core of Jokowi's economic
08:10agenda, resource nationalism and infrastructure, remains. But Prabowo is expanding it to more
08:15commodities. The goal is to transform Indonesia from a resource exporter to an industrial power at the
08:20heart of global green technology supply chains. Prabowo's military background brings a new urgency to
08:26defense upgrades, diversifying suppliers, and investing in domestic industries. This blend of
08:31economic growth and military strength is designed to protect Indonesia's sovereignty and fuel its rise.
08:37The administration seeks to balance major power relations while speaking with a more assertive
08:41voice. If successful, this strategy could cement Indonesia's status as a formidable global power.
08:47The world is watching Indonesia's next moves closely.
08:50Indonesia's rise is not without obstacles, both internal and external. Economic inefficiency
08:58remains a challenge, with high investment needed for modest growth, pointing to issues like bureaucracy
09:03and corruption. Externally, great power rivalry and global crises, from Ukraine to climate change
09:09create constant headwinds. Heavy reliance on Chinese investment brings both opportunity and risk,
09:14especially as sovereignty disputes in the Natuna Sea persist. Public opinion is split,
09:18welcoming investment, but wary of dependency. Internally, Indonesia's vast diversity and regional
09:24disparities threaten unity and stability. Addressing inequality and ensuring broad-based growth are
09:30critical for long-term success. The journey to superpower status begins at home. Indonesia's ability to
09:35overcome these hurdles will define its future. The stakes could not be higher.
09:39Is Indonesia destined to be the next global superpower? The evidence suggests it has the ingredients, demographics,
09:49resources, location and economic dynamism. With a population of over 270 million, a young workforce and a rapidly
09:55growing middle class, Indonesia stands at a crossroads of opportunity. Its vast natural resources and strategic position
10:02along vital shipping lanes give it unique leverage in global affairs. Its leaders have shown geopolitical savvy,
10:08balancing rivals and building independent platforms like ASEAN and BRICS. By forging partnerships across
10:14continents, Indonesia has positioned itself as a bridge between east and west, north and south. But
10:19potential is not destiny. The path ahead is narrow and fraught with peril. Economic inequality,
10:25environmental challenges and political pressures threaten to slow its rise. Indonesia must turn growth into
10:30sustainable development, manage great power pressures and defend its sovereignty without losing vital
10:35partnerships. Navigating these challenges will require vision, unity and resilience from both leaders and
10:42citizens. Its unique legacy as a non-aligned, moderate Muslim-majority democracy gives it soft power few can
10:48match. Indonesia's cultural diversity and tradition of tolerance are powerful assets in a divided world.
10:54If it can combine economic progress with democratic values and strategic independence,
10:58it could inspire the world. Indonesia's youth, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit are already making waves
11:04across the region. Indonesia may not fit the old superpower mold, but it could pioneer a new model,
11:10one based on economic leverage, neutrality and consensus building. Its approach could redefine what global
11:15leadership means in the 21st century. Whether it succeeds or falls short, Indonesia can no longer be overlooked.
11:21Its influence is growing, and its choices will ripple far beyond its borders. The choices it makes now will help
11:27shape the 21st century. The world is watching to see if Indonesia can rise to the occasion and fulfill its promise.
11:33The story of Indonesia is still being written, and the world is watching, eager to see what comes next from
11:38the Emerald Archipelago.
12:03The Emerald Archipelago.
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