Abstract

The Kopassus (Indonesian Army Special Forces) populate the highest ranks of the Indonesian military and political leadership. However, after numerous human rights violations dating back to the 1970s, their human rights violations during East Timor's fight for independence in the late 1990s incited a global condemnation of Indonesia. The United States subsequently ceased military engagement with the Indonesian military. The Kopassus is more than just a special operations element within the Indonesian military. Many former and present Indonesian military general officers as well as senior political leaders served in the Kopassus, some during those critical years in East Timor. As the United States rebalances its foreign policy toward the Pacific, an improved relationship with Indonesia becomes a high priority. Indonesia is an influential country in many respects. It is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), it participates in the East Asia Summit, and it has influence with China. According to the U.S. Mission in Jakarta and the USPACOM commander, 2013 will mark the first year of a renewed relationship between the U.S. military and the Kopassus in more than 12 years. A full U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) partnership with the Indonesian Kopassus could have an impact greater than just building a military-to-military relationship. Due to the importance of the Kopassus, its partnership with U.S. SOF could give the United States influence on internal and external Indonesian military operations, regional military operations between neighboring countries, and internal Indonesian politics. The U.S. relationship with the Kopassus needs to be prioritized, analyzed, and executed as part of a synchronized whole-of- government approach to dealing with Indonesia. This reengagement, if executed correctly, could have an have an impact that advances U.S. national interests internally within Indonesia and regionally in Southeast Asia for years.