Despite major investments by the US and its allies in military infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific, deterrence strategy remains vulnerable without guaranteed access through Indonesia. Passage through key maritime and air corridors of the archipelago is critical for force mobility in any conflict scenario. However, Jakarta’s political neutrality, focus on strategic autonomy, and the lack of clear transit agreements make such access uncertain. Without strong diplomatic engagement and trust-building, even the most advanced bases in Guam and Darwin cannot ensure the real effectiveness of allied strategy.