The Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas), convened a Public Seminar and Guest Lecture in collaboration with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) at the LPPM Hall, Makassar, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.
This academic forum brought together prominent scholars and practitioners, including Rizal Sukma, Senior Fellow at CSIS and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as well as Lina Alexandra, Head of the International Relations Department at CSIS Indonesia.
The guest lecture, titled “ASEAN, U.S.–China Rivalry, and the Regional Order in East Asia,” was delivered by Rizal Sukma and moderated by Isdah Idris.
In his presentation, Sukma highlighted several critical dynamics shaping the region, including the evolving realities within ASEAN, the intensifying strategic rivalry between the United States and China, and the trajectory of Indonesia’s long-standing free and active foreign policy doctrine.
He emphasized that Indonesia must exercise prudence in calibrating its strategic posture and partnerships to effectively safeguard and advance its national interests.
The session was followed by a public seminar under the main theme “Recalibrating Indonesia’s Foreign Policy in the Era of Great Power Rivalry,” featuring presentations by senior researchers Andrew Mantong and Pieter Pandie. The discussion was moderated by Abdul Razaq Cangara, with Agussalim Burhanuddin and Pusparida Syahdan serving as discussants. This session critically examined the growing challenges to ASEAN centrality, particularly its diminishing cohesion amid mounting external pressures from major powers.
Furthermore, the discussion underscored Indonesia’s geopolitical significance, especially in relation to the strategic role of the Makassar Strait as a vital maritime corridor. The Strait’s position within global shipping routes and its relevance to regional security dynamics were highlighted as key considerations in Indonesia’s foreign policy and maritime strategy.
Beyond intellectual exchange, the event also marked an institutional milestone, serving as a platform to strengthen collaboration between CSIS and the Department of International Relations at Unhas. This commitment was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) by the Head of the Department of International Relations, Seniwati, and Lina Alexandra, symbolizing a shared vision to advance research, dialogue, and policy-relevant scholarship in navigating the complexities of contemporary international relations.
Writer: Rhin Khairina Rahmat, S.IP, M.A
Editor: Munif Arif Ranti, S.IP, M.A
