By: Aini Puteri Lestari*
President Prabowo Subianto’s briefing at the 2026 National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of Central and Regional Governments in Sentul marked a critical moment in framing Indonesia’s perspective on an increasingly uncertain global landscape. Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, great power rivalries, and rising threats of weapons of mass destruction, the President openly reminded that the world is in a fragile phase that cannot be ignored. Concerns over a potential Third World War, including scenarios involving nuclear weapons, were not intended to alarm but to encourage all elements of the nation to understand global realities honestly and rationally.
According to the President, a nuclear war knows no borders. Even countries not directly involved would bear severe ecological and humanitarian consequences. Radioactive contamination, disruption of marine food chains, and the possibility of a nuclear winter that could block sunlight for extended periods are outcomes seriously discussed at the international level. This underscores that national leadership cannot ignore scientific analyses and global discourse, while emphasizing that the protection of citizens must be based on comprehensive understanding of real threats, not idealized assumptions.
This awareness of global threats is placed within Indonesia’s broader foreign policy framework. President Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to the principle of a free and active foreign policy, consistently upheld since the founding era. In a world increasingly polarized, the choice not to align with any power bloc is not passive but an active strategy to safeguard sovereignty, maintain diplomatic flexibility, and protect long-term national interests. Participation in military pacts or exclusive alliances could potentially drag Indonesia into conflicts contrary to its people’s interests.
However, non-alignment also carries strategic consequences. The President candidly acknowledged that Indonesia, by taking this position, cannot rely on external assistance in facing direct threats. Hence, the principle of self-reliance is reaffirmed as fundamental. Standing on its own feet, as inherited from Bung Karno, is translated into contemporary necessity: strengthening defense, economic resilience, food security, and energy independence simultaneously. Self-reliance is not merely an ideological choice but a practical necessity in an increasingly harsh and transactional world.
The briefing also included a sharp critique of double standards among major powers. President Prabowo highlighted the irony of nations preaching democracy, human rights, rule of law, and environmental protection while violating these values themselves. In various global conflicts, human rights violations occur openly, while most world powers remain silent or selective. For the President, this reality serves as a crucial lesson for Indonesia to remain vigilant in navigating the global power map.
President Prabowo also stressed the historical lesson that sovereignty is never freely granted. Nations that forget their history risk repeating past mistakes, becoming dependent, and losing control over their destiny. Strategic vigilance must therefore be a collective stance for leaders at both central and regional levels. Understanding global dynamics must extend beyond Jakarta and become a shared awareness integrated into national development planning.
In this context, the President emphasized rational and realistic thinking. The desire for peace must be accompanied by readiness to face the worst-case scenarios. Indonesia does not seek to threaten any country, but history and reality show that nations with abundant natural resources and strategic geopolitical positions are often targets of interference. As an archipelagic nation with abundant economic, energy, and food potential, Indonesia must protect itself to ensure these resources are used for the maximum benefit of its people.
Ultimately, President Prabowo’s briefing reflects a leadership approach that prioritizes vigilance without paranoia, self-reliance without isolation, and grounded idealism in geopolitical realities. The message is relevant not only for government officials but also for the broader public, highlighting that stability, development, and prosperity are inseparable from the state’s ability to read and respond to global dynamics. In an increasingly uncertain world, the choice to be vigilant, independent, and consistent with national identity forms the foundation for safeguarding Indonesia’s future.
President Prabowo Subianto’s briefing at the 2026 Rakornas effectively affirmed a national leadership direction that is firm, honest, and grounded in global geopolitical realities. While acknowledging emerging global threats, from armed conflicts to potential nuclear war, the President avoids fearmongering, demonstrating strategic vigilance, courageous decision-making, and rational assessment of global developments to protect Indonesia’s national and citizen interests.
*The author is an International Relations Analyst