Indonesia

On August 17, 1945, two days after the Japanese surrender in World War II, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesia's independence from the Netherlands. The proclamation marked the beginning of armed and diplomatic efforts to secure Indonesian recognition as an independent nation. Although initially confined to Java and Sumatra, this declaration spurred significant international and domestic conflict as the Dutch attempted to regain control, ultimately leading to international intervention and negotiations at the United Nations.

On September 30, 1965, six Indonesian Army generals were killed in an attempted coup by a group calling themselves the September 30th Movement (G30S). The events led to a severe anti-communist purge across the country, spearheaded by the army under Major General Suharto's eventual rise to power. It is estimated that between 500,000 to one million people were killed, many of them ethnic Chinese or associated with the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). The political upheaval resulted in the end of President Sukarno's rule and the beginning of Suharto's New Order regime.

On December 7, 1975, Indonesia invaded East Timor after the small territory proclaimed independence following a civil war and Portugal's decolonization process. The invasion, supported tacitly by the United States and Australia, began a brutal occupation that lasted until 1999. During this period, it is estimated that approximately 100,000 to 180,000 East Timorese died as a result of the conflict due to fighting, starvation, and disease. The occupation was widely condemned internationally and eventually led to East Timor's independence in 2002, following a UN-sponsored referendum.

On May 21, 1998, President Suharto resigned after more than three decades in power. His resignation marked the end of the New Order regime, which was characterized by strong centralized government and military dominance. The Asian financial crisis of 1997 severely impacted Indonesia, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty which fueled public discontent. Amidst massive student-led protests and escalating violence, Suharto transferred power to Vice President B.J. Habibie, marking the beginning of the Reformasi era which ended authoritarian rule and began democratic reforms.

On October 12, 2002, a series of bombings killed 202 people and injured dozens more in the tourist district of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali. The attack was carried out by members of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian extremist group with links to Al-Qaeda. The bombings targeted two nightclubs and the US consulate in nearby Denpasar. This act of terrorism was the deadliest in Indonesia's history and prompted significant international cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts in the region. In response, the Indonesian government increased efforts to dismantle terrorist networks within its borders.

On September 9, 2004, a car bomb exploded outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, killing nine people and injuring around 150 others. The attack was attributed to Jemaah Islamiyah, the same group responsible for the 2002 Bali bombings. The bombing was part of a series of attacks the group carried out during this period in Southeast Asia. It led to heightened security measures in Indonesia and increased international efforts to combat terrorism. The attack highlighted ongoing security challenges and the threat of extremist violence in Indonesia.

On December 26, 2004, a massive undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1–9.3 struck off the coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing over 230,000 people in fourteen countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 meters high. Indonesia was the hardest-hit country, particularly in Aceh province, where over 130,000 people were killed and countless others displaced. The disaster prompted a worldwide humanitarian response.

On October 25, 2010, Mount Merapi, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, erupted, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people from the surrounding area. Subsequent eruptions occurred over the following weeks, resulting in at least 353 deaths and significant destruction of property and infrastructure. The eruptions affected Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces, forcing the closure of Yogyakarta's airport and displacing numerous communities. The Indonesian government undertook a massive response to relocate displaced persons and provide disaster relief, including improved monitoring and evacuation plans for future eruptions.

On July 9, 2014, Joko Widodo, colloquially known as Jokowi, was elected President of Indonesia in a highly contested election. Jokowi's victory marked a significant political shift as he was the first Indonesian president not to hail from the country's political or military elite. Prior to his presidency, he served as the governor of Jakarta and was known for his populist approach to governance. His leadership style focused on infrastructural development and the reduction of bureaucratic inefficiencies, aiming for continued peace and economic growth in Indonesia.

On September 28, 2018, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, precipitating a powerful tsunami that devastated the city of Palu and its surrounding areas. The dual disaster resulted in over 4,000 deaths and displaced thousands more, while also causing widespread infrastructure destruction. The Indonesian government, with international assistance, struggled to provide relief and recovery efforts. The event highlighted issues in Indonesia's early warning systems and prompted initiatives to improve disaster preparedness and response in the archipelago.