Indonesia hosts huge multi-national military exercises

Sidoarjo, Indonesia — Thousands of military personnel from Indonesia, the U.S., and eight other countries began two weeks of exercises Monday, focused on joint capabilities in the Asia-Pacific.   The region, particularly in the South China Sea, has seen tensions rise this year with flashpoints between littoral states claiming sovereignty over disputed islands and waterways. The annual exercises — known as Super Garuda Shield — started in Sidoarjo, East Java, with Indonesia deploying more than 4,400 troops to the drills.