State of the World from NPR cover image

State of the World from NPR

Election in Indonesia Presents a Challenge for the U.S.

May 10, 2024
Former general, Prabowo Subianto, poses a democracy challenge in Indonesia's upcoming election. The U.S. once supported him, but later banned him. Meanwhile, a TV song contest in Venezuela is filled with songs praising the authoritarian president.
07:48

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Prabowo Subianto's election as Indonesia's president raises concerns about potential setbacks for democracy, posing a challenge for the U.S.
  • Venezuela's TV song contest portrays President Maduro positively, but growing disillusionment with his policies may hinder its impact.

Deep dives

Challenges of Indonesia's Election and US Involvement

Indonesia's recent election results have posed a challenge with the likely presidency of Prabowo Subianto, a figure with a controversial history of ties to authoritarianism according to NPR's Anthony Cune. Critics express concerns over potential setbacks for Indonesian democracy under his leadership despite his campaign portraying him as a democracy advocate. The United States faces a dilemma balancing geopolitical interests with human rights values in its relationship with Indonesia, particularly due to Prabowo's past military activities and alleged human rights violations. Tim Reeser highlights the tension between upholding principles and maintaining strategic partnerships as the US navigates its historical ties with Indonesia.

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