Yogyakarta, March 3, 2026—The Department of International Relations (IR) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a discussion and statement of intent during the IIS Strategic Talk today at the HI Podcast Studio. The discussion, broadcast live on Instagram and YouTube, highlighted four main points in response to the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.
On February 28, 2026, a month after the US kidnapped President Maduro and seized control of Venezuela’s oil, Israel and the United States launched a military aggression against Iran amid near-complete US-Iran nuclear negotiations. The Head of the Department of International Relations, Dr. Ririn Tri Nurhayati, explained in her presentation, “In the future, anyone, any sovereign nation, has the potential to become a target if actions like this are not stopped.”
Ririn also stated that the crimes of aggression against sovereign states committed by the two most ambitious members of the Board of Peace (BoP)—the United States and Israel—against Iran constitute a violation of international law. Indonesia’s membership in the BoP is considered to have led to a denial of constitutional mandates and humanitarian values, rather than strengthening its diplomatic position and commitment to peace.
As a critical response to the global dynamics and Indonesia’s disappointing political position, Ririn issued an official statement consisting of four main points:
- Condemning the aggression of the United States and Israel against Iran
- Demanding Indonesia’s withdrawal from the Board of Peace
- Prioritizing Southern solidarity amidst brutal unilateral actions
- Opposing the personalization of foreign policy without meaningful deliberation with the public
Dr. Diah Kusumaningrum, one of the respondents, criticized the Board of Peace (BoP) established by the Trump administration. According to her, this Peace Council actually endangers peace, both in the context of Palestine, the Middle East, and the global context. “Forget prioritizing Palestinian interests, it doesn’t even involve them,” she said. For him, now is the right moment to demand that Indonesia leave the BoP.
Southern solidarity was a concern for Randy Wirasta Nandyatama. He reminded the Ten Principles of Bandung regarding respect for sovereignty and solidarity of southern countries, which must be restored. The personalization of foreign policy was also highlighted by Dr. Poppy Sulistyaning Winanti. She emphasized that foreign policy should emerge from a meaningful deliberation process with the public.
Drs. Muhadi Sugiono added that the aggression committed actually renders the nuclear treaty irrelevant because it provides no security guarantees for countries that adhere to it.
Overall, the IIS Strategic Talk serves as a platform for critical dialogue on pressing global issues, reinforcing the need for solidarity and collective action amidst aggression. The Department of International Relations at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, continues to advocate for a just and peaceful world, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in conflict resolution and the pursuit of peace.