Indonesian Border Defense Policy: A Case Study on the Interoperability of the joint regional defense command

National security stability is a condition that arises from maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, overcoming violations of border areas, overcoming smuggling and theft of natural resources, and implementing the empowerment of defence areas at the border. The empowerment of the defence area is carried out by the TNI with all the national potential that exists in the border area so that it becomes a formidable regional power to support defence interests. However, in its implementation, it still faces conditions where the interoperability strategy implemented by Kogabwilhan as Armed Forces Operational Main Commands needs to be optimized. This article discusses the strategy for optimizing the interoperability of the Joint Regional Command in Border Security Operations through a study of organizational resources, combat functions, and elements of cooperation. Using a descriptive analysis method that emphasizes the collection of empirical data and facts sourced from a combination of literature studies and interviews with key informants, an analysis of factual conditions, influencing factors, and ideal conditions is carried out. The results of the analysis show that the optimization strategy can be carried out through three main strategies. First, optimizing organizational resources through a strategy to improve Border Security Operations infrastructure, strengthening the use of information technology, and implementing the commitment of the TNI leadership through the Network-Centric Warfare policy. Second, optimizing the elements of the combat function through optimizing the Kogabwilhan strategy as a permanent Armed Forces Operational Main Command, increasing the empowerment of TNI experience in the implementation of Border Security Operations, as well as strengthening defence and security against transnational crimes. Third, optimizing the elements of cooperation through the strategy of optimizing the existence of the National Border Management Agency (BNPP), increasing development and social and economic conditions for border communities that are still lagging behind, and increasing cooperation in the existence and harmonization of Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine. The result should serve as a relevant recommendation for Indonesian border defence policy and a practical suggestion to defence and security institutions to further develop their operational mechanism.