Gibran Rakabuming Raka's rapid political ascent from a catering entrepreneur to Indonesia's youngest vice president at 37 has sparked public debate. Initially uninterested in politics, Gibran became the Mayor of Solo in 2020 and later joined Prabowo Subianto as his vice-presidential candidate for the 2024 elections, leaving his father's party, PDIP. His popularity in Solo contributed significantly to their electoral victory. However, his rise has been marred by controversy, particularly regarding the constitutional court's decision allowing him to run despite being under 40, raising concerns about democratic integrity. The documentary 'Dirty Vote' highlights alleged electoral irregularities, while public opinion remains divided on Gibran's legitimacy and future role.

The article discusses the complexities of religious tolerance in Indonesia, highlighting incidents in Bekasi and Parepare. Despite Bekasi's high tolerance ranking, religious tensions persist, as seen in the amicable resolution of a local incident. In contrast, Parepare faced protests against a Christian school's construction, leading to a halt recommended by the regional legislative council. The article explores how miscommunication and Christianization phobia, fueled by historical narratives and media, exacerbate these tensions, emphasizing the nuanced nature of tolerance and the role of power dynamics.

The article delves into the experiences of Willie Merkerson, a former Green Beret turned CIA operative, focusing on his operations in Sudan during the early 1980s. It highlights a harrowing incident where Merkerson and his colleague Scott Eder narrowly escaped a mob attack in Omdurman. The narrative explores Merkerson's seamless transition into the CIA, his significant role in training Sudanese forces, and his adeptness at fostering intelligence relationships. The piece also touches on the broader geopolitical context, including the CIA's strategic interests in Sudan and Merkerson's interactions with key figures like Omar al-Bashir and Milt Bearden.

A video surfaced showing the dissolution of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, sparking questions about its implications. The dissolution, declared by JI leaders, signifies a commitment to Indonesia's national identity and democratic governance, moving away from the goal of establishing an Islamic state. The success of the deradicalization efforts by the Indonesian National Police's Special Detachment 88 and the National Counterterrorism Agency is highlighted. The future of JI depends on the leaders' actions post-dissolution, with hopes for reduced terrorism in Indonesia and influence on other terrorist groups globally. Vigilance remains crucial as radical ideologies continue to spread through social media.

Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian Islamist militant group, has announced its disbandment, raising questions about its future activities and the potential for underground operations. The decision, seen as a shift towards non-violence, has been met with skepticism, with concerns about splinter groups and the protection of assets. The Indonesian government views the disbandment as a success in combating terrorism, but experts warn of the potential for reemergence of extremist groups. The move is part of a broader trend of transformation within radical groups in Indonesia.

Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), a Southeast Asian militant group once affiliated with al-Qaeda, has publicly announced its disbandment, raising concerns about potential underground activities. The declaration, made by JI leader Abu Rusydan, emphasizes a shift towards education and mainstream Islamic teachings. Experts express skepticism about the disbandment's sincerity and warn of possible splinter groups. The Indonesian government views this as a success in counter-terrorism efforts, though concerns remain about the emergence of new threats like Jamaah Ansharut Daulah. The disbandment reflects a complex reality, with historical patterns of extremist group transformations in Indonesia.

Political disinformation has flooded Indonesian social media in the months leading up to the February 14 elections, with 526 instances of election-related hoaxes identified by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Activists and researchers highlight the involvement of radical groups like Jamaah Islamiyah in spreading disinformation to influence voters. The Detachment 88 Anti-Terror Special Unit has arrested several members of these groups for attempting to disrupt the political climate. Disinformation campaigns target presidential candidates with false narratives, and radical groups exploit social media to propagate their agendas. Fact-checking organizations and government bodies are actively working to counter these efforts.

The article discusses the story of Joko Tri Harmanto, also known as Jack Harun, a former terrorist who participated in the 2002 Bali bombings. After serving a prison sentence, Jack has turned his life around and now runs a soto restaurant in Central Java, where he also gives away free soto once a month to integrate with the community. The article highlights the role of Indonesia's National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) in providing financial support to former terrorists to help them reintegrate into society. It also touches on the challenges of deradicalization and the importance of economic stability in preventing former terrorists from returning to extremist groups. The article includes insights from various experts and officials on the process of rehabilitation and the current state of terrorism in Indonesia.

The United States Treasury Department has frozen the assets of five Indonesian nationals suspected of financing the Islamic State's recruitment of teens to fight in Syria and other countries. Two of the suspects are in Indonesia, while three are at Camp al-Hol in Syria. The BNPT, Indonesia's counter-terrorism agency, confirmed their involvement but did not disclose the amount of money raised. The U.S. aims to disrupt ISIS facilitation networks with these sanctions. Indonesian authorities, including the Densus 88 counter-terrorism unit, are monitoring the situation and coordinating with Interpol. The World Human Care NGO was also sanctioned for allegedly funding militants under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Aman Abdurrahman, an Indonesian militant leader on death row, condemned terror attacks linked to his group, Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), in a video. He criticized the use of women and children in these attacks and claimed his followers disobeyed him. Aman was sentenced to death in 2018 for orchestrating several terror attacks from prison. The video, posted by former militant Hendro Fernando, has sparked discussions among Aman's followers. Analysts suggest the video might influence some followers but could also lead to further splintering within JAD. Indonesia has a history of severe terror attacks, including the 2002 Bali bombings.