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Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat

Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat

Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat is an academic from Indonesia whose research focuses on China-Indonesia-Middle East relations.

He spends his time between Indonesia and South Korea, where he is an assistant professor at the Department of International Relations, Universitas Islam Indonesia and a research professor at Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies, Busan University of Foreign Studies.

Beyond these two institutions, Muhammad is also a research affiliate at the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore and a research associate at Jakarta-based Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF). Since August 2022, he has served as an associate at IDEAS, the London School of Economics’ foreign policy think-tank. In addition, he has held visiting professor positions at Bina Nusantara University and Universitas Paramadina.

Muhammad received a B.A. in International Affairs from Qatar University, before completing an M.A. in International Politics and a Ph.D in Politics at the University of Manchester in the U.K.

He is a regular contributor to The Diplomat, Asia Sentinel, The Conversation, and the South China Morning Post.

Posts by Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
November 11, 2024

China, Indonesia Sign $10 Billion in Deals as Prabowo Visits Beijing

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama
The deals included a controversial agreement on economic activities in areas around the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea.

August 21, 2024

In Indonesia, E-Commerce App Temu Receives a Frosty Reception

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama
Jakarta is worried that the platform's "factory-to-consumer" business model will undermine the country's millions of small businesses.
April 19, 2024

The Key Takeaways From Chinese FM Wang Yi’s Visit to Indonesia

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama
Wang's visit is another sign that Beijing wants to get off on the right foot with the incoming Indonesian administration.

April 12, 2024

Indonesia’s Evolving Perception of China

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
The latest survey from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute reflected the country's moderately positive, though still ambivalent, attitude towards China.

April 02, 2024

Indonesia’s Prabowo Meets China’s Xi on First Visit Since Election

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama
China's hosting of the Indonesian president-elect highlights its desire to hit the ground running when the new administration takes office in October.

March 01, 2024

Indonesia-Middle East Relations Set to Bloom Under Prabowo

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
The former general, who spent time in voluntary exile in Jordan, is poised to build on the progress made by President Joko Widodo.
November 10, 2023

Addressing Critical Minerals Governance in Indonesia-US Relations

By Bhima Yudhistira, Yeta Purnama, and Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
Ahead of President Joko Widodo's visit to Washington, serious obstacles stand in the way of cooperation in the vital minerals sector.

August 04, 2023

Chinese Workers in Indonesia Need Protection, Too

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama
Much public attention has focused on the plight of Indonesian workers employed in Chinese-owned enterprises. But a new report shows that Chinese nationals face many of the same challenges.

July 18, 2023

Why Indonesia Should be Cautious in Extending its High-Speed Railway

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
The eastward extension to Surabaya may make economic sense, but Jakarta should first learn from the troubles faced during the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung line.

May 22, 2023

Gulf States’ Growing Aid Diplomacy in Indonesia

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama
As the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia is receiving increased attention from the wealthy states of the Middle East.

April 17, 2023

The China-brokered Iran-Saudi Peace Deal: Implications For Indonesia

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama
The prospects of China acting as a peace mediator are much less likely closer to home.
February 08, 2023

Two Ways Indonesia is Helping China Persecute the Uyghurs

By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama
Jakarta has been vocal in its defense of the Rohingya and the Palestinians. So why is it being so cautious about the situation in China's Xinjiang region?

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