Curious article that is more complex than a simple agreement or disagreement from me.
warontherocks.com/2018/11/imagin…
warontherocks.com/2018/11/imagin…
While I perhaps should do a proper response in an article format, I disagree with several key notions. These are part of the intense complexity involved with the TNI as an organization.
1. The political nature of the TNI is underestimated - domestically and within the military. For example, its the TNI-AU hosting this exercise: they dream of external threats because then they get a role to operate.
2. The notion of proxy-war cannot be separated from this political nature. It has to be seen as part of a larger debate within the TNI of motivating their need for large budgets. But they also just expanded their role in CT, which coincidentally...
... increases their political presence and role throughout Indonesian society. Again.
Looking at the vagueness of the proxy war narrative we find it more about blaming outsiders for Islamic extremism, gays, democracy, and communism - sometimes all of them at the same time.
Looking at the vagueness of the proxy war narrative we find it more about blaming outsiders for Islamic extremism, gays, democracy, and communism - sometimes all of them at the same time.
3. This is also part of the core defence concept of the TNI - the people. The army functions as a cadre that recruits paramilitary groups to form a guerilla force against foreign invaders. In this view, having auxiliaries makes perfect sense.
This defence concept is so powerful in the TNI that everything they do surrounds it. Proxy war? Influences people. ISIS? To be fought through TNI presence and Pancasila. Border regions need securing? TNI cooperates with local people.
Don't believe me? Look at how much money the services are getting. The percentage of the budget hasn't increased. The total budget has gone up - but that increase is almost entirely towards the Ministry and not services. In turn, the ministry finances ...
... the Bela Negara project - to create 10 million paramilitaries (seriously the official goal). Not money to the navy to buy more subs. (Goal cut from 12 to 8 this year) not money to improve their air force (can barely fly, buys sukhois while also getting F-16s...
... which can't cooperate in combat effectively). See the trend? They talk a big game about external defence, but their political nature as the defenders of the People (tentara Rakyat) will always be first.
4. Bonus picture of the softer side of Bela Negara. 
As a concluding thought, I want to point out that the article is about an exercise. Run by the air force. And allows foreign officers to be part. Many of the points I made above won't be portrayed in this setting.
