U.S. Behaves Like Imperialist Behavior: Indonesian Experts

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesian international relations experts assess that the United States' recent moves indicate behavior similar to that of an imperialist power. This opinion was conveyed during a public discussion held by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) in Jakarta on Monday, 19 January 2026.

In the discussion titled "Outlook on Geopolitical Trends & Indonesian Foreign Policy 2026", former Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister, Dino Patti Djalal referred to the arrest of Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro by the United States some time ago. He also mentioned U.S. President Donald Trump’s intention to invade Danish territory, Greenland.

"And we see in the last month, we see three very glaring interventions in different forms in Venezuela, Greenland, and Iran. And I think the surprising thing is the U.S. foreign policy," the FPCI founder said.

"We knew that U.S. foreign policy would be different under Trump, but we did not estimate the degree to which it has assumed its form. Now we can really talk about American imperialism," Dino stated.

Public discussion "Outlook on Geopolitical Trends & Indonesian Foreign Policy 2026" by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) in Jakarta on Monday, 19 January 2026. (Photo: YouTube/FPCI)

According to Dino, imperialism is associated with things such as unequal relationships with other countries and seizing things without regard for international law-something Trump has demonstrated recently. He also said that current U.S. actions could signal a shift in the future world order.

"The fact that the West is losing its grip and they don't know what to do with the madness of Trump’s foreign policy definitely signals that in the next world order, the place of the West will change the way it is unraveling now," he said.

Meanwhile, a research professor at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Dewi Fortuna Anwar, explained that there is actually nothing new about recent U.S. actions, such as condemning Iran, which is currently experiencing turmoil.

"What is new is that the United States now does not differentiate between foes, friends, and allies. You know, everybody is being criticized and being attacked," she explained regarding recent U.S. moves that have shaken Western unity.

"So, this is the fact that the U.S. is really doing something that we have not recognized the U.S. is doing. It is behaving like an imperial power," she said.

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According to her, U.S. geopolitical moves under Trump are not a problem for non-aligned countries like Indonesia, but they are an issue for the Indo-Pacific region, where many major players are based. Therefore, she welcomed the annual statement by Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Sugiono, this month, which she said has begun to pay attention to regional resilience.

"I like the last press statement of the foreign minister.... When you are under attack, the best thing to do is to defend, not attack other people's goals, (or) try to seek a goal, but make sure your goalkeeper is being assisted. So the concept (in the statement is) back to national resilience, and I approve of this (statement)," she said.

In early January, Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the country is closely monitoring the latest developments in Venezuela, expressing its "grave concern" over "any actions involving the use or threat of force, which risk setting a dangerous precedent in international relations". It also stated that Indonesia urges all parties to exercise dialogue and self-restraint and to respect international law.

"It is imperative that the international community respects the right and the will of the people of Venezuela to exercise their sovereignty and to determine their own path and future," the ministry stated in its X account.