Indonesia's Board of Peace dilemma: Prabowo caught between domestic backlash and US ties

President Prabowo Subianto's decision to join the United States' Board of Peace (BoP) on January 22 was initially framed as a strategic move to advance global peace and bolster Indonesia's international standing. However, this initiative has quickly become a source of significant domestic contention.

The escalating conflict in Gaza, particularly the US-Israeli war on Iran, coupled with the tragic deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers in Lebanon last month, has fueled public skepticism and criticism. The fact that the BoP was established to oversee post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza, a region deeply affected by ongoing hostilities, has amplified these concerns.

This growing unease is reflected in recent public opinion surveys. A poll conducted last month revealed that over half of respondents disagree with Indonesia's BoP membership, a notable decline in support. This sentiment is further exacerbated by the recent fatalities of Indonesian peacekeepers, the first casualties within the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified.

Politicians, even those within Prabowo's own coalition, are now calling for a re-evaluation of Indonesia's role in the BoP. This puts the president in a precarious position, balancing the need to maintain diplomatic ties with the US against mounting domestic pressure. The situation has led observers to dub the Board of Peace the "Board of Problems," highlighting the complex challenges Prabowo faces in navigating this foreign policy dilemma.

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The Board of Peace has become the Board of Problems.