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Indonesia’s relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been harmonious and especially fruitful in recent years. These bilateral relationships have spread beyond the economic realm, as both sides have strengthened cooperation in the political and cultural spheres. Indonesia-Gulf relations have also progressed on the technology front — though this blossoming area of cooperation has received little, if any media and scholarly attention.

Indonesia, with a population of around 275 million (representing about 40% of Southeast Asia) and the largest economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is set to play a more prominent role in the Indo-Pacific region in the coming years. As a non-aligned state with a preference for a multipolar world order, it also fits well into Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s long-term hedging strategies beyond traditional security ties with the United States.

The Rav said of his illustrious grandfather, Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik, that “ biz Reb Chaim, shtaros geven a chaspa b’alma” – before Rav Chaim, contracts were mere paper. He also said that until Rav Chaim came and explained Yoreh De’ah, it was just about pots and pans. While the Rav may have been slightly hyperbolic with his comparison, what can’t be denied is that the genius and brilliance of Rav Chaim was, in part, bringing a scientific sophistication to the Talmud. I thought of that observation of the Rav as I was reading Le-Chaber es Ha-Ohel: Exploring Conn...