WASHINGTON – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged Thursday to contribute up to 8,000 troops, “or more if necessary,” to an international stabilization force in Gaza. The commitment was made at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., an initiative spearheaded by former U.S. President Donald Trump. This significant deployment signals a deepening alignment between Indonesia and the Trump administration on the issue of regional stability in the Middle East, and raises questions about Jakarta’s evolving foreign policy priorities.
President Subianto expressed optimism that, under Trump’s leadership, “this vision of real peace will be achieved,” acknowledging potential challenges but asserting, “we will prevail.” He reiterated a commitment to finding “a lasting and peaceful solution for the Palestinian problem, and in Gaza.” The Indonesian president framed the ceasefire achievements as “real,” justifying the substantial troop contribution as essential to ensuring the peace holds. The pledge to contribute troops to the International Stabilization Force underscores Indonesia’s willingness to take a leading role in post-conflict stabilization efforts.
The Board of Peace, conceived and driven by Donald Trump, aims to foster stability in conflict zones through a collaborative, multinational approach. The initiative, announced earlier this year, has drawn both praise and scrutiny, with some observers questioning the role of a former U.S. President in shaping international peacekeeping efforts. At a January 22, 2026 event in Davos, Switzerland, Trump formally announced the Board of Peace, with Subianto and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in attendance, as reported by Reuters.
Indonesia’s Shift in Foreign Policy
This commitment to deploy a significant number of troops – potentially exceeding 8,000 – represents a notable shift in Indonesia’s longstanding foreign policy, traditionally characterized by strategic equidistance and non-alignment. Ronny P. Sasmita, a senior international affairs analyst at the Indonesia Strategic and Economics Action Institution, suggests Jakarta appears to be committing itself to a project shaped around a single, deeply polarizing political figure. Al Jazeera reports that this decision raises questions about whether Indonesia is prioritizing its national interests and diplomatic credibility or allowing its foreign policy direction to be influenced by external agendas.
Historically, Indonesia has positioned itself as a mediator and consensus-builder in international affairs, avoiding close alignment with any single power. This approach has allowed Jakarta to maintain relationships with a wide range of countries and play a constructive role in regional and global forums. The decision to actively participate in the Trump-led Board of Peace, and to offer such a substantial troop contribution, signals a departure from this established diplomatic posture. The move comes after Indonesia condemned the West Bank annexation, as reported by Middle East Monitor, highlighting a complex and potentially contradictory stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Context of the KTT Perdamaian Gaza
The pledge was made following a meeting at the KTT Perdamaian Gaza (Gaza Peace Summit) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, 2025. During the summit, a conversation between President Subianto and former President Trump was recorded, revealing a request from Subianto to connect with Trump’s son, Eric Trump, who leads the Trump Organization and has business interests in Indonesia. BBC Indonesia reported that Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono downplayed the conversation as a normal exchange between friends, emphasizing the close relationship between the two leaders.
The recording, which surfaced online, prompted questions about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of business considerations on Indonesia’s foreign policy decisions. Sugiono stated that such informal conversations are common among heads of state, particularly given the existing rapport between Subianto and Trump. The incident, however, adds another layer of complexity to Indonesia’s engagement with the Trump-led Board of Peace.
Implications for Regional Stability
Indonesia’s commitment of troops to the International Stabilization Force in Gaza is a significant undertaking with potentially far-reaching implications. The deployment of up to 8,000 Indonesian soldiers would make Jakarta a major contributor to the peacekeeping effort, alongside other nations participating in the Board of Peace initiative. The success of the stabilization force will depend on a number of factors, including the cooperation of all parties involved, the availability of adequate resources, and a clear mandate for its operations.
The move similarly comes as Indonesia prepares to deploy up to 8,000 troops to a proposed multinational Gaza stabilisation force, as reported on February 10, 2026. DW.com reports that this decision has sparked debate within Indonesia about the country’s role in the region and the potential risks and benefits of aligning with the Trump administration.
The next step will be the formal deployment of Indonesian troops to Gaza, contingent upon the establishment of a clear operational framework and the resolution of logistical challenges. Further details regarding the composition of the International Stabilization Force, its mandate, and its rules of engagement are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Readers can stay informed about developments by following updates from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Board of Peace website.
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