Indonesia's military creeps back into civilian affairs


Indonesia's military chief Commander General Moeldoko (centre, on L) and National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti (R) pose with members of the military and police after a briefing in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, May 7, 2015 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. REUTERS/Kornelis Kaha/Antara Foto

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Nearly two decades after Indonesia's military was squeezed out of civilian affairs with the downfall of strongman leader Suharto, President Joko Widodo is drawing the army more closely into his wars on drugs, terrorism, and corruption.

Palace and military officials say Widodo's move is partly designed to counterbalance senior police officers who have crossed swords with him and who, critics say, are trying to undermine the agency leading the campaign against graft.

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