The middle east turmoil and Gaddafi tidbits, comparisons with Indonesia’s transition to democracy.

Legalised gambling in Indonesia a boon to state revenue or creator of social misery.

Is political Islam down and out in 2009? Islamic parties look for reasons for their failure.

Some Buddhists are, eventually, up in arms over a Buddhist themed club in Jakarta, the Buddha Bar.

Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of Yogyakarta goes online to launch his bid for the presidency.

New York Times – Clinton Praises Indonesian Democracy

Mixing Sundanese disco music and Islam invites bigotry and later “mediation” in West Java, as Ross finds out.

Ross rails that Gestapo style methods of interrogation are used by the sharia police in Aceh.

Treespotter looks at capital punishment around the world, and an argument in favour of it.

Ross defends the monarchical principle and the Sultan of Yogyakarta’s authority.