Articles

Virdika Rizky Utama

Virdika Rizky Utama serves as Executive Director of the PARA Syndicate – an independent think-tank in Jakarta – and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Political Science at the School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Articles by Virdika Rizky Utama

Jun
06
Security

Singapore-Tokyo Partnership Secures Middle Ground Amid Global Tensions

As regional uncertainty grows, Singapore and Japan have strong reasons to deepen practical security cooperation while preserving an open and inclusive regional order.

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Feb
22
Foreign Policy

The Board of Peace and the Fraying of Indonesia’s Diplomacy

Prabowo’s entry into Trump’s Board of Peace trades Indonesia’s principled diplomacy for symbolic access, while excluding Palestinian voices in Gaza.

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Jan
09
Society

Essay: Sumatra’s Floods and the Perils of Narrative Control

Honest criticism is an expression of hope—a vital tool to ensure that when the next storm arrives, we are truly prepared to protect lives.

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Oct
24
Foreign Policy

One Year On, Indonesia’s Diplomacy Is All Motion Without a Map

Foreign policy under President Prabowo prioritises transactional flexibility over long-standing principles or strategic design.

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Jul
22
Society

Essay: History, Oligarchy and the Erasure of Economic Violence

The government’s attempt to rewrite official history erases economic violence, obscuring state responsibility and the roots of the 1998 crisis.

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Jun
13
Environment

Faith Extracted: Nahdlatul Ulama and Raja Ampat

A nickel mining project in Raja Ampat forces Nahdlatul Ulama to confront its position amid state and corporate entanglement.

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Feb
03
Security

Is Indonesia’s Military Leaving the Barracks?

Indonesia’s military expands its role into civilian affairs under Prabowo. What does this mean for the country’s democracy?

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Dec
05
Politics

Reflections and Observations on Pilkada

Developments surrounding Pilkada further strengthens evidence of democratic decline.

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Nov
14
Foreign Policy

Indonesia’s BRICS Bet

Jakarta should carefully manage its economic relationships within BRICS to maintain policy independence and avoid overreliance on a single partner.

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Nov
06
Foreign Policy

Southeast Asia Stands to Gain from China’s Economic Stability

ASEAN should seek to deepen its economic engagement with China even as the latter’s economic turmoil subsides.

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Oct
11
Foreign Policy

Jokowi’s Profound Absence from the ASEAN Summit

It raises question whether ASEAN was genuinely a priority for Jakarta during his tenure.

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