THERE is only the sound of silence now at the Arun gas refinery in Syamtalira district, North Aceh. Thousands of employees have not worked since PT ExxonMobil Indonesia officially stopped production on Sunday night two weeks ago. Neither are the 56 largest gas wells in the villages of Lhoksukon and Passe, Arun, pouring out energy any more. The company has raised a white flag and surrendered.

ExxonMobil is not at war with anyone. But for too long