Russia, the Islamic World, and the New World Order: Implications for Indonesia

Rizki Damayanti, Hizra Marisa, Marsya Pramesthi Dayusaputra
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.25077/ajis.14.2.106-121.2025

Abstract

The emergence of a new world order is raising its involvement in the relationship between Russia and the Islamic world, which is also of significant relevance for Indonesia given its position as a bridge to Russia’s broader pivot to the East. This research aims to analyze how Russia’s growing ties with Islamic nations impact global power structures and influence Indonesia’s foreign policy and strategic interests. Using Rosenau’s foreign policy theory that conceptualizes state behavior as an adaptive response to changes in the external environment in order to seek survival, this study implies a qualitative approach to define Russia’s geopolitical rationale. The analysis draws on primary and secondary sources including policy documents, official statements, scholarly articles, and interviews with representatives from the Russian Embassy in Indonesia and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The findings reveal that Russia’s growing engagement with the Islamic world forms part of broader strategy to counter Western domination and establish a multipolar world order through economic, military, and diplomatic initiatives. This has made Russia positioned itself as a central power broker across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. Therefore, as a prominent Muslim-majority nation and a key ASEAN member, Russia’s ongoing developments carry strategic implications for Indonesia. Russia’s expanding role offers opportunities for Indonesia that goes along with Indonesia’s “free and active” foreign policy but simultaneously generating challenges by increasing external pressure on Indonesia’s ability to maintain that posture. Consequently, Indonesia must actively navigate strategic and balanced foreign policy to enhance its diplomatic leverage, while maintaining regional stability and promote its national interest.

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