Topic: Maluku

Backchannels As Indonesia gears up for election, fears of corruption soar

Indonesia has set itself up nicely for fair presidential elections next year, but corruption and party oligarchs threaten the its future.

Backchannels Heavy metal, Islamist politics, and democracy in Indonesia

Heavy metal band Jamrud and a major Indonesian Islamist party throw a gig together. That's one of the smallest changes in Indonesian politics.

Backchannels A gold rush in Indonesia you've never heard of

Buru Island, once used by Soeharto's New Order regime to house political prisoners, has been swept with gold fever.

Backchannels Sacred eels and peace in an occasionally troubled corner of Indonesia

Indonesia's Ambon City was racked by communal conflict a decade ago. My drive along the coast today reveals that much has changed.

Backchannels The sacred and the profane: Indonesian churches and Lady Gaga

The pop-star Lady Gaga and Indonesian churches have both been the recent target of a thuggish group called the Islam Defenders Front.

Backchannels Indonesia and Egypt separated at birth? No, just completely separate.

Indonesia and Egypt are large. They're Muslim. They've thrown off long-standing dictators. These similarities aren't particularly meaningful.

Highlights from leaked UN draft report on Congo atrocities: 1993-1996

Guest blogger Jason Stearns offers highlights of the period 1993-1996 from a leaked UN draft report that chronicles mass atrocities in the Congo between 1993 and 2003.

Indonesia cleric's arrest highlights work of US-trained counterterrorism unit

The arrest of Indonesia cleric Abu Bakar Bashir highlights the ongoing counterterrorism work of the US-trained Detachment 88. Some groups are concerned over the police unit's alleged use of torture.

Remembering an early Jemaah Islamiyah attack in Jakarta

A reporter remembers when the last round of terror attacks began in Jakarta. Is another round coming?

Mysterious 'yawning fish' discovered off Indonesia

An Indonesian artist uses her canvas to unite a nation

Grace Siregar taps local artists to create public sculptures and other artworks that emphasize themes of peace and reconciliation.