Search
AI-powered search, human-powered content.
scroll to top arrow or icon

{{ subpage.title }}

Protesters carry an Indonesian flag and a flag from Japanese anime 'One Piece' during a protest outside Jakarta police headquarters, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on August 29, 2025.

REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

What We’re Watching: Killing further inflames Indonesian protests, India and Canada mend ties, El Salvador continues authoritarian drift

Protests erupt further in Indonesia

Demonstrations in the capital Jakarta have intensified after a police vehicle rammed into a taxi there on Thursday, killing the driver. The protests, which have now spread across the country, first came following reports that lawmakers had been receiving a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) in addition to their salaries. This was especially irksome for Indonesia’s 280-million-plus population as many have been struggling to find jobs. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who has faced political challenges since coming into office last year, apologized for the excessive violence and urged calm.

Read moreShow less

A demonstrator burns mock dollar bills with the face of US President Donald Trump during a protest against the US tariffs imposed on Brazilian products, in front of the United States Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil, on August 1, 2025.

REUTERS/Mateus Bonomi

What We’re Watching: Another US tariff announcement, El Salvador leader can now rule indefinitely, Indonesian president pardons opponents

US hits the world with fresh wave of tariffs

US President Donald Trump slapped new tariffs on 92 countries, including key allies. Canada, the US’s number two trade partner, was hit with a 35% rate. Taiwan, a critical semiconductor supplier, also faces fresh levies that could ripple through global tech supply chains, and India now faces a 25% rate. For some countries, Trump’s latest threats are actually a reprieve, as he lowered previously threatened rates: tiny Lesotho, which Trump once said “nobody has ever heard of,” will now face a 15% duty, down from 50%. The new levies take effect on Aug. 9, but Mexico, the US’s largest trade partner, won a 90-day extension. Trump reached a deal with the EU earlier this week, and is still negotiating with China.

Read moreShow less

Indonesia's Defence Minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is gesturing to his supporters during an election campaign rally at the Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, on Feb. 9, 2024.

Suryanto Putramudji/NurPhoto via Reuters

Will Indonesia choose a military officer-turned-cuddly grandpa for president?

Voters in the world’s third-largest democracy will go to the polls on Wednesday to choose their next president. The popular incumbent Joko Widodo, aka Jokowi, is barred from running for reelection by term limits and has thrown his support behind three-time presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, a former military officer and the current defense minister. Thanks to this support, in addition to generous campaign promises and a slick image makeover, Prabowo, 72, appears well-positioned to join the club of septuagenarian world leaders. We asked Eurasia Group expert Peter Mumford how this came about.

Read moreShow less

Indonesia's Defence Ministry downplays concerns over Prabowo's visit to US

October 16, 2020 5:38 PM

JAKARTA (THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Indonesia's Defence Ministry has played down criticism leveled at its minister, Prabowo Subianto, over his working visit to the United States.

Decision time for Prabowo after losing court fight

June 29, 2019 5:00 AM

All eyes are on Indonesia's defeated presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and his allies after he lost his bid to overturn the April election results and claim the presidency in the world's third largest democracy.

After two defeats, Prabowo still aims for Indonesia's presidency

June 28, 2019 11:15 AM

JAKARTA (BLOOMBERG) - For Indonesian opposition leader Prabowo Subianto, a second straight presidential election loss has done little to dent his ambitions, and is unlikely to mark the end of his checkered political career.

Court upholds Jokowi win, rejects Prabowo challenge

June 28, 2019 5:00 AM

Indonesia's Constitutional Court yesterday ruled to uphold the results of the April 17 presidential election that handed President Joko Widodo a second term at the helm of the world's third-largest democracy.

Prabowo's suit to start a day later than planned

June 15, 2019 5:00 AM

Indonesia's Constitutional Court has decided to proceed with a hearing next week on former army general Prabowo Subianto's legal suit claiming that the April 17 presidential election was rigged.

Subscribe to our free newsletter, GZERO Daily

Latest