
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 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...