Rev. Baskara T. Wardaya, S.J., the 2022 holder of the Rev. Francis Wade Chair, will present “Looking Back for a Better Future: Reflections on the United States-Indonesian Relations,” at Marquette’s Rev. Francis Wade, S.J., Public Lecture on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m. in the Raynor Beaumier Suites.
The lecture is hosted by the Office of the Provost. No registration is required. A reception will be held immediately following the lecture.
As the largest nation in Southeast Asia in terms of population and territory, while strategically located between mainland Asia and Australia, Indonesia had a special place in the history of United States foreign policy. At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. competed with the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China for spheres of influence. The competition culminated in the anti-communist purge that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, followed by the opening of Indonesia’s doors to Western interests.
For the next three decades, Washington greatly supported Indonesia, marked by close political, economic and military ties. Today, with the rise of China’s global prominence and the regional
conflict of interests in the South China Sea, the U.S. is very eager to seek closer collaboration (if not an alliance) with Indonesia.
However, now Indonesia has an increasing sense of national confidence and international standing, while enjoying more choices in international collaboration. How the U.S. will and should respond to these new developments is open for discussion.
More details about the event can be found online.
