
Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat is the Director of the Indonesia-MENA Desk at the Centre for Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) in Jakarta and a Research Affiliate at the Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore. He spent over a decade living and traveling across the Middle East, earning a B.A. in International Affairs from Qatar University. He later completed his M.A. in International Politics and Ph.D. in Politics at the University of Manchester.
Items by Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
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- April 20, 2025 Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
Indonesia should not allow its citizens to study in Israel
In recent years, a small but notable number of Indonesian students have traveled to Israel to pursue educational programs, including at the Arava International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT), the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and even Ariel University, located in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied...
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- April 17, 2025 Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
Saudi Arabia should rethink its mining investments in Indonesia, and invest in renewables instead
In an era when the world must transition swiftly towards a green economy, Saudi Arabia’s decision to double down on investments in Indonesia’s mining sector seems less like strategic foresight and more like a misstep from a bygone industrial playbook. This week, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources,...
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- April 15, 2025 Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
Indonesia’s Cairo gambit: A strategic pivot towards the Middle East
When Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stood beside his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo on Saturday, the joint declaration they signed marked more than a diplomatic formality; it signalled the rebirth of a transcontinental bond, anchored in history, redefined by pragmatism, and sharpened by today’s...
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- April 8, 2025 Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
Indonesia must go beyond aid in Palestine
As Gaza endures another round of Israeli bombardment and the latest ceasefire lies in ruins, the urgency for global action intensifies. Civilians are once again caught in the crossfire, infrastructure lies in rubble, and the death toll mounts. For all the world’s expressions of concern, the suffering persists. At...
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- April 7, 2025 Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
Trump’s tariffs should push Indonesia closer to the Middle East
Having Donald Trump back in the White House has set off a new wave of economic nationalism, and Indonesia is among its first casualties. In his latest protectionist move, Trump has imposed tariffs of up to 32 per cent on key Indonesian exports, from textiles and electronics to seafood and...
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- March 27, 2025 Dr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
Indonesia and Syria: Time to forge a new partnership under Ahmad Al Sharaa's leadership
Indonesia has remained relatively quiet on Syria’s new leadership, but it must now take a clear stance. With Syria under the new leadership of President Ahmad Al Sharaa, Indonesia has an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, while navigating the complexities of this political transition. On 8 December, Bashar Al-Assad’s long-standing...