The annual Super Garuda Shield joint exercises are underway in Indonesia, led by the US and Indonesian armed forces with participation from 11 partner countries. More than 5,400 troops are involved, carrying out drills in Jakarta, Sumatra, and the Riau islands until September 4. The exercises, which focus on strengthening regional defense ties and ensuring Asia-Pacific stability, include contingents from Australia, Japan, Singapore, France, New Zealand, and the UK. With geopolitical tensions rising, the drills highlight expanding collaboration between the US, Indonesia, and allies, even as Washington maintains the operations are not explicitly directed against China.
