The Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI)

Much of the uncertainty concerns the prospective political succession to President Suharto. As the President's age increasingly poses the succession issue, it is not clear that there is a strong set of institutions to guide a smooth transition. In fact, the only truly integrated national institution is the armed forces (known by its Indonesian acronym, ABRI). Exactly because of ABRI's central role in Indonesia, it is essential that the United States and its friends in the region understand the Indonesian military.