Indonesia’s firm stance must escalate into broader international political pressure.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Under a darkening global political horizon, the boundary between physical clashes and information warfare has blurred significantly. This creates a hidden yet decisive new battlefield for future directions.

The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in late February 2026 proves this reality. It is a calculated symphony of perceptions designed to shape global viewpoints.

This event is more than military escalation in the Middle East. It represents a fluid battle of narratives that determines global policy directions more than actual field maneuvers.

Information warfare is no longer a secondary element of conflict. It has become the primary tool for controlling public opinion, mobilizing international support, and influencing economic stability.

This triangular conflict demonstrates that behind every strike, a narrative functions as a potent weapon. This strategy shapes world opinion and legitimizes every action taken on the battlefield.

Those who master the story often hold invisible strategic control. This power determines how the world perceives national sovereignty and the rigid boundaries of regional security.

Since tensions peaked, each party has constructed its own version of reality. Washington emphasizes military steps as efforts to maintain regional stability and broader global energy interests.

The United States positions every military action as a preventive measure for world order. This narrative ensures strategic partner support remains solid under the framework of international law.

Conversely, Israel describes its military operations as defensive responses to direct threats. For Tel Aviv, protecting national security remains a top priority that is simply non-negotiable.

Meanwhile, Iran positions itself as a defender of sovereignty against external pressure. Tehran views its actions as a legitimate right to self-defense under the United Nations Charter.

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Narratives as instruments

According to Heri Herdiawanto, a researcher at the Center for Geopolitical and Defense Studies at Al-Azhar University Indonesia, this conflict serves as an internal stabilization tool. Foreign tensions are constructed as extensions to maintain domestic power.

For Israel, the existential threat narrative from Iran unites public support. This strategy forces the political opposition to stand behind the government for the sake of national survival.

In Washington, the narrative of global leadership justifies expensive military aid. This issue becomes a crucial political commodity to win the sympathy of voters within the United States.

For Tehran, the resistance narrative is the key to regime legitimacy amidst sanctions. This image effectively stirs nationalism to divert public dissatisfaction regarding the struggling domestic economy.

Meanwhile, Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations observer from Padjadjaran University, highlighted the multi-level narrative battle. At the UN Security Council, the US and Israeli narratives tend to dominate the diplomatic discourse.

This dominance often allows their military strikes to escape international criticism. However, at the UN General Assembly, Iran successfully implants an understanding regarding its own self-defense rights.

Iran convinces oil-importing nations that its military steps are legally valid. Rezasyah also noted a significant shift in the attitudes of the Non-Aligned Movement member nations.

While viewing the US and Israel as aggressors, these nations have only recently begun to solidify their stance. This occurred after massive pressure emerged from their respective domestic societies and grassroots movements.

Global alliance shifts are becoming increasingly dynamic. Herdiawanto noted that this conflict tests BRICS+ cohesion. Some members prioritize international law while others maintain a strategic, calculated silence.

These nations aim to balance defense and economic relations with all parties involved. This dynamic faces a strategic test in the vital waters of the Hormuz Strait.

Approximately twenty percent of global oil passes through this narrow passage. Narrative fluctuations in this region act as instant triggers for energy price instability in global markets.

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Indonesia’s information diplomacy

Indonesia takes strategic steps through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the navigation role of the Indonesian News Agency, LKBN ANTARA. This synergy ensures the public square remains clear from any harmful distortions.

This collaboration ensures Indonesia’s diplomatic position stays grounded in accurate, non-provocative facts. Such efforts are crucial to counter AI-generated fabrications that frequently emerge during global crises.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs consistently promotes de-escalation in international forums. ANTARA strengthens this by providing factual reporting to encourage peaceful resolutions for the ongoing conflict.

LKBN ANTARA President Director Benny Siga Butarbutar emphasized that news must reinforce government policy. Indonesia firmly opposes war and its destructive impacts on humanity and the global economy.

He believed spreading massive credible news is essential to block manipulative content. Such content often worsens situations and creates unnecessary panic among the general global public.

Indonesia’s firm stance must escalate into broader international political pressure. By embracing like-minded countries, Indonesia can effectively push for a more balanced and fair global perspective.

In this effort, Indonesia holds a very strong bargaining position. As the 2026-2027 D-8 Chair, Indonesia strategically strengthens the collective voice of many developing nations worldwide.

Indonesia also involves regional perspectives through alliances in ASEAN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This collective voice aims to bring warring parties back to the negotiation table for peace.

These diplomatic efforts intend to bridge doubts with concrete solutions. Ending economic and civilian destruction requires a unified front from nations that value international law and humanity.

ANTARA also implements a strict verification system to ensure every report remains accurate. It stationed a journalist in Saudi Arabia to monitor Middle Eastern developments directly and professionally.

If the world is filled only with rumors, international order will collapse. Peace would no longer be guarded by law, but rather by a sense of mutual fear.

Twenty-first-century warfare proves that the most valuable territory is no longer just land. It is how the world perceives reality and how narratives build our shared future.

Ultimately, the clarity of facts is the final fortress for world peace. Indonesia chooses to be a beacon, ensuring that truth retains its sovereignty amidst global interests.



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Editor: M Razi Rahman
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