Mahbi Maulaya is a private researcher graduated from Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta’s International Relations Department. His research interests concern Security and Strategic Studies surrounding the Asia-Pacific, the South China Sea, and Indonesia. His writing has been published in Indonesia's reputable journals and international media outlets such as the Intermestic Journal of International Studies, Peace, Conflict, and Diplomacy Journal, the Nation State Journal of International Studies, Policy Forum, and Modern Diplomacy. He can be reached at maulayamahbi@gmail.com.