The Ups and Downs of American Military Aid
The US government has promised to end the ban on military aid imposed in 1999. This is good news, but there are conditions.
October 2, 2001
Two F-16 fighters were visible in the sky over Madiun, Central Java, last week. The metallic gray American-made fighters were demonstrating their power over Iswahyudi Air Force Base, Madiun. It was as if the sleek aircraft armed with Maverick and Sidewinder missiles and a 20mm cannon were about to hunt down and destroy enemies. On that bright Friday, the Indonesian Air Force were practicing aerobatics in their F-16s - the most sophisticated aircr...