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Rethinking Middle Power Diplomacy: Indonesia's Dynamic Equilibrium Strategy In The Multipolar Order
Corresponding Author(s) : Azyumardi Mumtazul Umam S.IP
JURNAL HUBUNGAN LUAR NEGERI,
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Jurnal Hubungan Luar Negeri
Abstract
The multipolar world order has fundamentally changed the dynamics of global conflict mediation. This research aims to construct an alternative mediation model for Indonesia to resolve conflicts in the Middle East. This study uses a qualitative approach thru a comparative analysis between China's economic pragmatism and Indonesia's normative diplomacy. The framework combines constructivism theory and middle power to evaluate diplomatic strategies. The analysis results show that reliance on material capacity hinders the effectiveness of diplomacy. As a solution, this research offers a hybrid mediation model that integrates the doctrine of dynamic balance with the legitimacy of Islamic identity. The concept of dynamic equilibrium, successfully applied in Southeast Asia, can be adapted to build trust without economic coercion. Indonesia has a strategic advantage in the form of true neutrality that can bridge various conflicting parties. The transformation from a passive facilitator to a strategic bridge builder allows the country to maximize its influence. In conclusion, the hybrid model strengthens the tactics of niche national diplomacy. The implication is that middle-power countries can proactively create global governance stability regardless of material resource constraints.
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- Books:
- Seliktar, O. and Rezaei, F. (2021) Iran, revolution, and proxy wars. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Book Chapter:
- Buer, I.B. (2021) 'Favela Peace Formation in a Violent State: Perspectives from Favelas in Rio de Janeiro,' in Rethinking peace and conflict studies, pp. 147–171. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79209-1_7.
- Williams, D.U. (2023) 'Interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and sustainable development in Nigeria: a case of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC),' in The Palgrave Handbook of Religion, Peacebuilding, and Development in Africa, pp. 553–568. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36829-5_31.
- Journals:
- Abbaszada, R. and Liu, H. (2025) 'China’s Mediation Paradigm: How China’s mediation diplomacy advanced Saudi-Iran reconciliation,' Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies, 28(1), pp. 47–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/19448953.2025.2557169.
- Anwar, D.F. (2020) 'Indonesia and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific,' International Affairs, 96(1), pp. 111–129. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiz223.
- Brown, H. and Keshavjee, M.M. (2025) 'Marriage, divorce and mediation of family disputes in Judaism and Islam,' European Journal of Comparative Law and Governance, pp. 1–56. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134514-bja10109.
- Burton, G. (2021) 'Middle power behavior under multipolarity: Indonesia and Malaysia in the Middle East since the Arab uprisings,' Asian Politics & Policy, 13(2), pp. 228–247. https://doi.org/10.1111/aspp.12577.
- Chaziza, M. and Lutmar, C. (2025) 'Oman’s niche diplomacy: Middle Power strategies in a shifting Middle East,' Social Sciences, 14(9), p. 511. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090511.
- Emmers, R. (2018) 'Unpacking ASEAN neutrality: The quest for autonomy and impartiality in Southeast Asia,' Contemporary Southeast Asia, 40(3), pp. 349–370. https://doi.org/10.1355/cs40-3a.
- Hwang, W.-J. (2024) 'Forging reconciliation despite antagonism: Examining the normalisation of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023,' Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, 11(3), pp. 376–399. https://doi.org/10.1177/23477970241261433.
- Merdjanova, I. (2022) 'Russia’s war in Ukraine and the limits of religious diplomacy,' Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe, 42(4). https://doi.org/10.55221/2693-2148.2349.
- Mubarok, S. and Candra, R. (2020) 'Islamic international relations as a potential tool to Indonesia’s soft power diplomacy,' Proceedings of the 1st Borobudur International Symposium on Humanities, Economics and Social Sciences (BIS-HESS 2019) [Preprint]. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.200529.200.
- Pettersson, T., Högbladh, S. and Öberg, M. (2019) 'Organized violence, 1989–2018 and peace agreements,' Journal of Peace Research, 56(4), pp. 589–603. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343319856046.
- Qader, A., Ashfaq, K. and Shahid, M. (2025) 'The rise of multi-polarity: implications for global governance and international security,' Global Foreign Policies Review, VIII(II), pp. 22–30. https://doi.org/10.31703/gfpr.2025(viii-ii).03.
- Saikia, A. (2024) 'Faith as an instrument of peace: Exploring the case of Nagaland in northeast India,' Peace Review, 37(1), pp. 54–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402659.2024.2436926.
- Setiawati, S.M. (2024) 'The role of Indonesian government in middle east conflict resolution: consistent diplomacy or strategic shifts?,' Frontiers in Political Science, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2024.1304108.
- Waage, H.H. (2005) 'Norway’s role in the Middle East peace talks: between a strong state and a weak belligerent,' Journal of Palestine Studies, 34(4), pp. 6–24. https://doi.org/10.1525/jps.2005.34.4.6.
- Yhome, V. and Verma, A. (2025) 'Nagaland Peace Accord and it’s relevance in contemporary times,' International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i03.44386.
- Yuliantoro, N.R. (2025) 'China’s role in international conflict mediation and its implications for international relations,' Nation State Journal of International Studies, 8(1), pp. 1–19. https://doi.org/10.24076/nsjis.v8i1.2051.
- Online Sources:
- American Enterprise Institute - AEI (2026) China Global Investment Tracker | American Enterprise Institute - AEI. https://www.aei.org/china-global-investment-tracker/.
- Lembaga Dana Kerja Sama Pembangunan Internasional (no date a). https://ldkpi.kemenkeu.go.id/hibah/penerimaHibah.
References
Books:
Seliktar, O. and Rezaei, F. (2021) Iran, revolution, and proxy wars. Palgrave Macmillan.
Book Chapter:
Buer, I.B. (2021) 'Favela Peace Formation in a Violent State: Perspectives from Favelas in Rio de Janeiro,' in Rethinking peace and conflict studies, pp. 147–171. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79209-1_7.
Williams, D.U. (2023) 'Interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and sustainable development in Nigeria: a case of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC),' in The Palgrave Handbook of Religion, Peacebuilding, and Development in Africa, pp. 553–568. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36829-5_31.
Journals:
Abbaszada, R. and Liu, H. (2025) 'China’s Mediation Paradigm: How China’s mediation diplomacy advanced Saudi-Iran reconciliation,' Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies, 28(1), pp. 47–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/19448953.2025.2557169.
Anwar, D.F. (2020) 'Indonesia and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific,' International Affairs, 96(1), pp. 111–129. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiz223.
Brown, H. and Keshavjee, M.M. (2025) 'Marriage, divorce and mediation of family disputes in Judaism and Islam,' European Journal of Comparative Law and Governance, pp. 1–56. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134514-bja10109.
Burton, G. (2021) 'Middle power behavior under multipolarity: Indonesia and Malaysia in the Middle East since the Arab uprisings,' Asian Politics & Policy, 13(2), pp. 228–247. https://doi.org/10.1111/aspp.12577.
Chaziza, M. and Lutmar, C. (2025) 'Oman’s niche diplomacy: Middle Power strategies in a shifting Middle East,' Social Sciences, 14(9), p. 511. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14090511.
Emmers, R. (2018) 'Unpacking ASEAN neutrality: The quest for autonomy and impartiality in Southeast Asia,' Contemporary Southeast Asia, 40(3), pp. 349–370. https://doi.org/10.1355/cs40-3a.
Hwang, W.-J. (2024) 'Forging reconciliation despite antagonism: Examining the normalisation of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023,' Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, 11(3), pp. 376–399. https://doi.org/10.1177/23477970241261433.
Merdjanova, I. (2022) 'Russia’s war in Ukraine and the limits of religious diplomacy,' Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe, 42(4). https://doi.org/10.55221/2693-2148.2349.
Mubarok, S. and Candra, R. (2020) 'Islamic international relations as a potential tool to Indonesia’s soft power diplomacy,' Proceedings of the 1st Borobudur International Symposium on Humanities, Economics and Social Sciences (BIS-HESS 2019) [Preprint]. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.200529.200.
Pettersson, T., Högbladh, S. and Öberg, M. (2019) 'Organized violence, 1989–2018 and peace agreements,' Journal of Peace Research, 56(4), pp. 589–603. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343319856046.
Qader, A., Ashfaq, K. and Shahid, M. (2025) 'The rise of multi-polarity: implications for global governance and international security,' Global Foreign Policies Review, VIII(II), pp. 22–30. https://doi.org/10.31703/gfpr.2025(viii-ii).03.
Saikia, A. (2024) 'Faith as an instrument of peace: Exploring the case of Nagaland in northeast India,' Peace Review, 37(1), pp. 54–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402659.2024.2436926.
Setiawati, S.M. (2024) 'The role of Indonesian government in middle east conflict resolution: consistent diplomacy or strategic shifts?,' Frontiers in Political Science, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2024.1304108.
Waage, H.H. (2005) 'Norway’s role in the Middle East peace talks: between a strong state and a weak belligerent,' Journal of Palestine Studies, 34(4), pp. 6–24. https://doi.org/10.1525/jps.2005.34.4.6.
Yhome, V. and Verma, A. (2025) 'Nagaland Peace Accord and it’s relevance in contemporary times,' International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i03.44386.
Yuliantoro, N.R. (2025) 'China’s role in international conflict mediation and its implications for international relations,' Nation State Journal of International Studies, 8(1), pp. 1–19. https://doi.org/10.24076/nsjis.v8i1.2051.
Online Sources:
American Enterprise Institute - AEI (2026) China Global Investment Tracker | American Enterprise Institute - AEI. https://www.aei.org/china-global-investment-tracker/.
Lembaga Dana Kerja Sama Pembangunan Internasional (no date a). https://ldkpi.kemenkeu.go.id/hibah/penerimaHibah.