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Centre for Strategic and International Studies

Logo: http://www.csis.or.id/AboutUs-Overview.php, Non-free logo, via Wikipedia3

Indonesian public policy think tank

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit organization based in Indonesia which has served as a think tank on social, international, political and economical issues. CSIS was founded on Sept 1, 1971 by a group of Indonesian colleagues who hoped to promote public policy-oriented discussions in Indonesia. Founders of the organization included Harry Tjan Silalahi, Jusuf Wanandi, Hadi Soesastro, and Clara Joewono.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1971Founded1

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The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit organization based in Indonesia which has served as a think tank on social, international, political and economical issues. CSIS was founded on Sept 1, 1971 by a group of Indonesian colleagues who hoped to promote public policy-oriented discussions in Indonesia. Founders of the organization included Harry Tjan Silalahi, Jusuf Wanandi, Hadi Soesastro, and Clara Joewono. It also had strong support from key figures close to the government at the time including generals Ali Moertopo, Soedjono Hoemardani, and Benny Moerdani. It was founded to give advice, ideas and support to government and other stakeholders such as parliament, political parties, businesses and NGOs and to reach out to the regional and international communities and to develop awareness of Indonesian policies and its state of development, while giving feedback to the Indonesian government on domestic and international developments.2

The story

CSIS was conceived in the 1960s as a strategic and security studies think-tank by brothers Jusuf and Sofjan Wanandi. It was funded in part by the Chinese Indonesian business community and had the support of the Indonesian administration, including generals Ali Moertopo and Soedjono Hoemardani as well as two of the personal assistants of president Suharto. They turned down an offer to become a presidential think tank in order to stay independent and credible.

In its early years, CSIS was not trusted by some parts of the Muslim community in Indonesia because it was perceived to be a Catholic and Chinese-supported institution.

In 1988, President Suharto distanced CSIS from his administration as a memo from Jusuf Wanandi which advised the preparation of a new generation of leadership for Indonesia after 20 years of his presidential rule was seen as a call for him to step down. Suharto instructed his ministers to sever ties with CSIS. However, some politicians still maintained links with CSIS.

From Wikipedia’s article on Centre for Strategic and International Studies, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Timeline

  1. 1971Founded Founded1

Sources

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