‘USAID cut undermines Indonesia’s counterterrorism efforts’
Funding halt may lead to regrouping of extremist networks, weakening disengagement and reintegration programs
JAKARTA/SINGAPORE (MNTV) – The suspension of U.S. foreign aid, following President Donald Trump’s executive order on Jan. 20 to reevaluate and realign assistance programs, is raising concerns over its impact on counterterrorism efforts in Indonesia, a country that has long relied on U.S. support to combat violent extremism.
Experts warn that the pause in funding could disrupt key disengagement and reintegration programs for former terrorists and their families, potentially leading to the regrouping of violent extremist organizations (VEOs) and ex-militants reconnecting with their old networks.
Writing for The Jakarta Post, Umelto Labetubun, a former senior technical advisor for the USAID Harmoni Project, and Shashi Jayakumar, executive director of a Singapore-based security and political risk firm, highlight the overlooked consequences of the funding freeze on counterterrorism and preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE) efforts.
For over a decade, two major U.S.-funded programs— the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) and the USAID-funded Harmoni Project— have been pivotal in Indonesia’s counterterrorism and PCVE initiatives.
ICITAP, which focused on training and capacity-building for law enforcement agencies, including the National Police’s elite counterterrorism unit Densus 88, has now been forced to suspend all operations in Indonesia. This raises concerns about the future capabilities of Indonesian authorities in combating terrorism.
The Harmoni Project, which ran from 2018 to October 2024 with nearly $30 million in funding from USAID, played a significant role in implementing Indonesia’s National Action Plan (RAN PE) for PCVE 2021–2025.
It worked alongside the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), government institutions, civil society organizations, and local communities to build resilience against violent extremism through training, technical assistance, and social cohesion programs.
During its tenure, the project collaborated with 49 national and local partners, 109 government institutions, 208 universities, and 264 secondary schools, reaching over 12,000 participants.
It supported disengagement and reintegration efforts for former terrorists and their families, a crucial element in preventing recidivism and the resurgence of extremist networks. While Harmoni concluded before the funding pause, experts fear the absence of follow-up interventions could leave a security vacuum.
“If the U.S. funding pause becomes permanent, it could reinforce resentment toward the U.S. and be exploited by extremist groups to fuel anti-American sentiment,” analysts warn.
U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts has long been leveraged by terror groups to justify ideological opposition to American interests worldwide, including in Indonesia.
Despite the concerns, alternative initiatives such as the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ2) and UNODC’s terrorism prevention programs remain active.
However, security analysts stress that without sustained U.S. engagement, Indonesia’s counterterrorism strategy could face significant setbacks, allowing extremist networks to rebuild and expand their influence.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
