Ambassador Blake delivered remarks to over 200 students and members of the press at a Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) event on December 8 along with the French and Russian Ambassadors to Indonesia and the Indonesia’s Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT). The Ambassador discussed how the United States is working with the international community to combat terrorism while also pushing for a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Head of the BNPT focused on the need for Indonesia to confront radicalism within Indonesia and highlighted Indonesia’s deradicalization program as a necessary “soft approach” to accompany military actions. The ensuing question and answer portion of the program also featured discussion of recent comments by politicians in the United States, definitions of Syria’s “legitimate” government, and inquiries on what Indonesia’s next steps are in ensuring ISIL does not take hold in Indonesia.
