President Prabowo Subianto's recent gathering of former presidents, former foreign ministers, and political party chairpersons has captured public attention. Amid the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, this meeting is viewed not merely as a diplomatic response, but as a mature political risk management strategy for the domestic administration.
Political observer from Aljabar Strategic, Arifki Chaniago, highlighted that geopolitics often serves as a catalyst for domestic economic pressure. The Middle East conflict, which impacts global energy price fluctuations, risks triggering inflation and increasing the state's fiscal burden. By embracing statesmen and party leaders, President Prabowo is building a "political shield" so that potentially unpopular economic policies are understood as collective decisions, rather than unilateral wills.
Beyond economic aspects, this meeting also serves to quell speculation regarding Indonesia's position within the global constellation. Amid public debate regarding the direction of foreign policy, the presence of senior figures sends a strong message that the country's strategic decisions remain grounded in broad collective considerations, while maintaining a consistent national interest line across generations.
Furthermore, this consolidation signals that domestic stability is Indonesia's primary asset amidst an increasingly fragmented world. According to Arifki, political courage is not only tested by how a stance is taken on the international stage, but also by the government's ability to manage domestic consequences arising from these global dynamics.
