U.S., Indonesia: Cooperating with Kopassus

The United States announced July 22 it would resume cooperation with Kopassus, an Indonesian special operations force. The U.S. military had severed ties with the group in 1999 due to a law forbidding the U.S. military from working with foreign military organizations involved in human rights abuses. The resumption of ties comes at a time when the United States is attempting to re-engage Southeast Asia, not only through defense relationships, but also through political and economic ties. Washington's moves in the region are being watched closely and warily by China, which fears a new U.S. policy of containment may be taking form.