Taking the Hard Road

George W. Bush told the nations of the world after Sept. 11 last year that they were either with the U.S. in the war on terror or against the U.S. At the time, the choice for most frontline governments was stark: join up or face the wrath of the world's military and economic superpower. One year on, the war has indeed turned out to be a global conflict. But in Jakarta, local politics may outweigh geopolitics as President Megawati Sukarnoputri's administration last week wrestled over whether to cooperate with the U.S., or risk being labeled a pariah state in this new,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!