Rizki Wahyudi

Profile

I am a first-year PhD student and an Indonesian Army officer. I hold a MSc in Terrorism Studies from the University of Indonesia (2022), where my research focused on the role of Special Joint Operations (Koopsgabsus) in counterterrorism efforts in Central Sulawesi, using a case study approach.

Starting on this 2025/26 academic year, I am committed to deepening my knowledge, enhancing my research skills, and expanding my academic network to become a well-rounded scholar. My doctoral research explores civil–military relations and their impact on counterterrorism effectiveness in post-authoritarian Indonesia, building on over 11 years of practical experience in military service.

Research interests

Supervised by Dr. Gordon and Prof Ted, my research examines civil–military relations and counterterrorism effectiveness in Indonesia’s democratic transition, focusing on how civilian control strategies shape security outcomes in post-authoritarian contexts.

The study addresses a key gap by linking governance mechanisms to counterterrorism (CT) effectiveness. It explores institutional, legal, and political requirements for effective civilian oversight and analyses how these mechanisms operate during major CT episodes, including the Poso operations, BNPT reforms, and Papua insurgency.

Using a qualitative single-country case study, I employ interviews, document analysis, and secondary sources, supported by analytical techniques such as pattern matching and explanation building. The research integrates theories of civil–military relations (principal–agent, concordance) with CT governance frameworks.

Significance:

• Academic: Bridges civil–military relations and counterterrorism literatures.
• Practical: Offers policy recommendations to improve civil–military cooperation without undermining democratic principles.

Qualifications

• MSc in Terrorism Studies University of Indonesia
• BA in Defence Administration Indonesian Military Academy

Research groups and institutes

• Centre for Global Security Challenges
• Centre for Democratic Engagement