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Indonesia's President Questions US-Israel War Amid Turmoil

3/16/2026

Center

Prabowo Questions War

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed surprise at the US-Israel war on Iran and questioned its rationality.
He notes Iran is hesitant to negotiate and feels deceived by the United States.
Prabowo, who has offered to mediate, faces criticism for joining U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.
Amid rising fuel prices, Indonesia experiences market turmoil and civil unrest.
The government faces pressure to manage fuel supplies and subsidies before Eid.

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Southeast Asia Faces Fuel Crisis

Closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israel war on Iran has driven energy shortages in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines are managing fuel supplies with price caps and reduced workweeks.
Indonesia reports 21–23 days of fuel reserves; Thailand has 65 days, well below Northeast Asian levels.
If disruptions persist, experts warn of higher prices and a regional recession, with oil averaging $80 per barrel in 2026.

History

Historical Context

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran-Iraq War in 1980 disrupted global oil supplies, causing prices to surge to $39 per barrel. Today, President Prabowo Subianto's concerns about the ongoing US-Israel conflict reflect historical vulnerabilities, as Indonesia faces fuel shortages and civil unrest, underscoring the lasting impact of geopolitical tensions on Southeast Asian economies reliant on oil imports.

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Prabowo Questions War

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed surprise at the US-Israel war on Iran and questioned its rationality.
He notes Iran is hesitant to negotiate and feels deceived by the United States.
Prabowo, who has offered to mediate, faces criticism for joining U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.
Amid rising fuel prices, Indonesia experiences market turmoil and civil unrest.
The government faces pressure to manage fuel supplies and subsidies before Eid.

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