"The Indonesian military, the TNI, for all its numbers is geared almost exclusively for supression of insurgency. They are brutal, heavy handed and have many human rights violations against them, and continue to rack them up." Haha..you right. The Indonesian army (TNI) are brutal animals. Jesus knows I hate them. But the Aceh rebels are brutal too. They even kidnapped journalists and wack them. But in this case, as Indonesian, I wouldn't complain about what the TNI do in Aceh, I don't care if they violate human rights as long as they win the war in Aceh. Doesn't war violate human rights? Nearly 600 civilians were killed during Aceh war, and 2000 Iraqis civilians were killed by the Americans, and I'm not going to complain about it. Every wars cost lives.

"So Indonesia, as a Muslim country is supporting Russia in suppressing separatist Muslims in Chechnya?" Yes. Almost 90% of Indonesian are moslems, but Indonesia is not an Islamic-based country like Saudi or Iran. Besides, people here consider the Chechen rebels as terrorist. I think (I'm not a moslem)Indonesian moslems consider the Palestinian rebels or Saddam Hussein as heroes. But Osama bin Laden and Chechen Rebels are criminals.

"It is not in the interests of the international community to have another Muslim fundamentalist state on the edge of another of the world's busiest sea routes, the Straits of Malacca" I agree with you 100%. A moslem fundamentalist state as our neighbour will not be good, it'll be a pain in the neck. It's like having Iran or a communist state as your neighbour.

What is the feeling on Saddam Hussein now that he has been captured without a fight, after 2 of his sons have been killed, and is busy informing on those who kept him in power. I would think that would shatter anybodies illusions of him being a hero.

saddam has lost his luster in indonesia. we used to admire him for standing up to the west. but in the end saddam became a very unappealing figure. the admiration for him was tainted from the beginning from the fact that he was supported by the US. the US put the baath party into power and the baath party was pro-west. many iraqis saw saddam as a tool of america, esp. in the war vs. iran. he was a strange role model for the muslim world as he was a puppet. the 'liberation' of iraq is seen by many in indonesia as the US reining in its own puppet. so saddam doesn't mean much anymore to anyone.

I saw this discussion going nowhere, seen Indonesian confident with their military, seen the foreigner (non Indonesian) have a big doubt. Let me tell abt guerrilla warfare, you can't tell the enemy, because they blend into the surroundings, today you see them selling cookies to you, at night time you exchanging fire with the cookies seller... Same problem with the IRA, Basque in spain, Chechnya, and others. Well that is true before TNI adopt their tactics agains Dutch during war of independent, but now the tides are turning. TNI has become the Dutch in the military stand point. They can be easily identified, like shoot the man with uniform, on the other hands, the rebel, shoot the man with levi's jeans carrying AK???? So the point is, in any separatis conflict through out the world, not the heavy firepower needed, but how to win the heart of innocent/people/civilian, because they are the source and fuel for the separatist movement. I've been in the Indonesia active military duty as University Student Militia brigade, and stationed in east timor for 6 months (before the referendum in mid 90's) and been actually into the battle, believe me you feel the enemy is around, each and every single local population man/woman has potential to become one of them.. I guess thats what the US and Brit feels in N. IReland, Najaf, Fallujah, Afghanistan, Mosul, etc.

Saddam was no 'friend' of the USA despite the temporary backing (satellite photos of Iranian forces) during the Iran-Iraq war. The eight year US-Iraq 'relationship' was definitely no parallel with the friendship of eg, US and Australia. More like the relationship that happends when the police cut a deal with a felon (reduced jail sentence) if he helps to rat out a bigger criminal. It's just that Saddam was seen as the lesser of two evils when pitted against the Ayatollah's theocrat Iran. Also, the US backed Saddam during the Iran-Iraq to protect its Arab allies (Jordan, Saudi, Kuwait) who feared the Shia Iranian regime sharing their borders from a conquered Iraq. Another correction, this time for Vfrickey: the program of combining a USMC platoon with village militias was not Strategic Hamlet (that refers to the relocation of villagers), but was the CAP (Combined Action Platoon).

I believe that the tsunami catastrophe has opened up opportunities for the media to cover the Aceh conflict better, becoz so far the Indonesian military and govt has managed to keep this war relatively secret. The GAM is glad to show its side of the story to the media. On a more negative note, Islamist thug groups are using the relief efforts as a conduit for spreading their hatred to Sumatrans and Aceh people. The Islamist leaders are telling the people that the wave struck becoz God was angry at corruption and abomination or not being Muslim enough. (According to these louts, sitting close to opposite sex or partying is an insult to God).

i see your point, but the US gave a lot of aid to saddam which helped him to stay in power. when he had no more money to buy arms they lent him money to buy more. many people, myself included, do not understand why the US insists on punishing iran. if you look back, everything seems to be about iran. the shah was a tyrant supported by the US and when he was overthrown, US and iranian relations were never the same. the US fueled the war between iran and iraq to hurt iran, but strengthened saddam. let israel take care of these countries; believe me, if it is in danger, it is more than capable of defending itself. btw, trigga, are you american? let me thank you for the aid you are sending to my country. it is something i will never forget. we can argue about history, but let's not forget the present: US carriers delivering aid and food. thank you.

Hello God of Gamblers, I am actually Malaysian who lived in S'pore for 16 years but now living in England. Good that my two home countries have also sent Puma and Chinook choppers and aid to Indonesia as well. Never been to US before- my low wages make vacations tough to save for.