Thread by @olliekarp

In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce Indonesian writer, academic, and political analyst, Simon Saragih.

He's best known for being one of the so-called Indonesian "academics" tagged by @RadityoDharmaP as "those showing pro-Russia views".

1/19

During the 1990s and the 2000s, Saragih served in various positions, including field journalist, international desk editor, and as a member of the research and development department of notable Indonesian media outlet Kompas.

He is now serving as a senior journalist.

2/19

Saragih is also an author of biographies of a Dutch seminary teacher, a Dutch missionary, an Indonesian composer, as well as the biographies of Putin and Obama.

Meanwhile, he is also known for articles containing pro-CCP and pro-Russia peepotalking.

3/19

In a 2023 article from Saragih regarding the SCS dispute after recent events this year, he accused the US and its allies for "collectively targeting China", claiming something like "although the US aims to maintain freedom of navigation in the SCS,...

4/19

...China guarantees freedom of navigation in the SCS".

Although Saragih stated that "China is not the historical right owner", he claimed that "Beijing acts more assertively by asserting ownership, militarising, and not letting it go".

5/19

Then, Saragih claimed that "China under Xi has not suddenly become aggressive", "if ever there is a conflict with China, then the US would choose to retreat rather than to engage in armed conflict", and "China will still pursue its dreams despite West x ASEAN rejection".

6/19

In another article, Saragih did more anti-West peepotalking when he said that "the world is only subject to US interests, including China itself", accusing the US for "maintaining dominance in Asia".

He added some whataboutism when he said "it is also ironic for...

7/19

...the US to spend money on war with China in the midst of 40M poor US citizens, which are now a daily sight in major US urban centers".

When Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022, Saragih accused the Pelosi visit for "hardening China's stance", while accusing the US...

8/19

...for "not wanting to lift sanctions on Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu". Saragih cited certain CCP officials peepotalking about "requests for the US to stop damaging China's interests through increasing relations with Taiwan and imposing restrictions on China".

9/19

Saragih is also known for citing academic vatniks John Mearsheimer and Kishore Mahbubani, who stated that "rejecting China is a suicidal geopolitical choice for Asia".

In another article, Saragih peepotalked about something like "the US should accept China in Asia".

10/19

Mr. Saragih, if you claim that "China guarantees freedom of navigation in the SCS", then what is your take on China's gray-zone tactics in trying to "defend its illegal SCS claims", especially the recent one cited by @FMangosingINQ?

Read more here:

11/19 https://t.co/12Fkm7NsRk

https://twitter.com/olliekarp/status/1654762604278210560?s=20

Besides pro-CCP peepotalking remarks, Saragih is also known for pro-Russia ones too.

For example, Saragih accused the US for "starting the conflict between Europe and Russia", adding that "the issue has become difficult for Europe due to Europe's dependence on the US".

12/19

According to an article from @RadityoDharmaP discussing about "pro-Russia Indonesian experts", Saragih wrote an article blaming the US for "expanding the western alliance to Eastern Europe".

This Saragih article is full of classical pro-Russia peepotalking.

13/19

Saragih's article contains the typical pro-Russia peepotalking remarks traditionally uttered by the vatniks from @P_Kallioniemi's #vatniksoup, including the "NATO-expansion-caused-the-Ukraine-war" remark. Then,...

14/19

...Saragih claimed that "Putin rose to power cuz he was angry at US expansion". He peepotalked about the claim that "Putin's opponent, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, was supported by the US oil industry power coming from Texas", adding that "Putin is a strategic thinker".

15/19

Then, Saragih claimed that "history supports the Putin movement cuz the US x Europe are fading", adding that "Putin wanted to invade Ukraine to teach the US a lesson". He suggested that "if NATO fails to stop bullying Russia, then Putin is ready to make his next move".

16/19

In another article, Saragih accused the US for "labeling Putin and Xi as dictators", peepotalking about how "the Bush administration disrupted Russia and China".

He also cited a suggestion that "countries should be patient in dealing with Russia and China".

17/19

Besides Saragih's pro-Russia peepotalking remarks, he was once even present at a conference between the ASEAN and a certain notable Russian university named the MGIMO.

18/19

Moreover, I haven't seen any relevant results on Saragih's reactions to Russian war crime atrocities in Ukraine, especially in Bucha and Izyum.

I wonder if he is aware of these events?

Just like a traditional vatnik, Saragih remains silent on these atrocities.

19/19

Shoutouts:
@P_Kallioniemi, @Aaron_MatthewIL, @outlierplanet, @NervosaCafe, @LukeShiga, @RadityoDharmaP

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This is Phase 1, Entry 35 of the #dailysoup. Feel free to read the previous entries here 👇
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