Isti Marta Sukma

Doctoral student at the University of Warsaw working at the intersection of political science (public policy), cybersecurity, and international relations.

I focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, quantum technologies, and surveillance, and how these technologies intersect with policy processes, legal frameworks, and their roles in hybrid warfare and geopolitical competition, with a regional emphasis on the Indo-Pacific.

Currently, I am developing a theory called techno-realism, which explores how technological centers of power and non-state actors, including Big Tech companies, NGOs, hacker groups, and transnational activist networks, shape governance, influence political processes, and challenge traditional notions of sovereignty.

In political science, researchers are often seen as either theorists or scientists; I aspire to be both, combining conceptual innovation with empirical rigor driven by data-centric, computational analysis.

I am well-versed in theoretical and empirical methods in political science, with practical experience in qualitative, quantitative, and (currently focusing on) computer-assisted research.

I am developing data science pipeline skills using Python and NLP libraries to process and analyze large-scale policy documents. This includes text mining, network analysis, and statistical modeling to support my research on policy diffusion, polycentric governance, and public-private partnerships (PPP) in cybersecurity and tech/digital policy.

Beyond academia, I bring four years of professional experience in content management in EU-based companies (tech and e-commerce industries) as a QA specialist and content coordinator.

I regularly contribute political commentary to The Diplomat and Medium, writing on political science, technology, and international affairs, and I’ve presented my work at international conferences (IPSA 2025 in Seoul and ICPP7 in Chiang Mai).

My full portfolio can be found here: istimartasukma.com 

My Latest Work

Cyberpolitics and Security Warfare •

Quantum technologies, what’s ahead of us?

In today’s modern digital landscape, intelligence operations face a range of complex challenges, particularly in safeguarding sensitive information and countering cyber threats.

The emergence of quantum technology presents both significant risks and opportunities for intelligence agencies globally.

While AI has dominated discussions in this field in recent years, it is essential to emphasize the even greater importance of Quantum Technologies (QT).

QT originates from quantum mechanics, a fiel
Political Science and Others •

Techno-Realism: Modernizing Political Science Theory

My journey through various texts in International Relations, politics, and philosophy, alongside my experience in the tech industry, has illuminated the pivotal role of technology in today’s society.

Over the past decade, my immersion in political realism has revealed its limitations. Scholars increasingly abandon it due to its narrow focus on states, overlooking non-state actors and the intricate ideas that shape political decisions. Despite these challenges, I remain optimistic about its pote
Medium •

What I’ve learned from Bung Hatta’s Greek Philosophy stories

Sending Hatta’s “Alam Pikiran Yunani” all the way from Indonesia to Warsaw turned out to be an excellent decision.

I first learned about this book during one of Rocky Gerung’s interviews, where he recommended it as an ideal starting point for those new to philosophy.

Prior to this, my exposure to Indonesian thinkers had been limited to figures like Tan Malaka and Soekarno.

It’s as if Hatta is personally narrating a bedtime story, his voice almost audible.

Unlike most philosophy books that ki

Isti Marta Sukma’s review of On Lying and Politics: A Library of America Special Publication

In this engaging essay Hannah Arendt explores the complex relationship between politics and truth, emphasizing their perpetual misalignment. The recurring phrase "Fiat veritas, et pereat mundus" prompts readers to reflect on whether the main character truly believes in prioritizing truth at any cost. The theme of survival takes center stage early on, shaping the narrative's exploration of political maneuvers. Pages 6-7 delve into the risks faced by truth tellers and seekers, exposing their vulne
Medium •

Lacan and masochists society: Indonesia’s addiction to suffering

Indonesian 2024 election seemed to have come to an end, with a one-round victory for Ex- general Prabowo Subianto and Gibran, the bastard of contitution. During the election, Indonesians were served with 2 other pairs who are highly capable, head-to-head with this pair alone. Anies Baswedan, the ex-governor of Jakarta paired with Muhaimin Iskandar, the leader of PKB. And on the other side, Ganjar Pranowo ex-governor of Central java and Professor Mahfud MD, the ex-minister of Coordinating Ministr
Instagram •

Women in Political and Security Sciences

In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I am reintroducing my Queens of Political Science and Security—say their names and delve into their works!

First up, Elinor Ostrom, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2009). She showed that regular people can create rules for sustainable and fair resource management.
📖 Personal pick: “The Future of the Commons – Beyond Market Failure and Government Regulation” (2012)

Hannah Arendt, do I need to say more? She’s the most influential political theorist to date. Her groundbreaking theories and essays are a must if you’re studying political science. You can’t box her in; she’s a philosopher, a historian, a political scientist, theorist!
📖 My personal pick: “The Origins of Totalitarianism” (1951)

Judith Shklar, I first heard of Shklar in a FP article titled “Who is afraid of Judith Shklar?” in 2018. I looked her up and was not disappointed. She’s a Harvard political theorist who analyzed the dilemma of modern liberalism.
📖 My favorite pick: “The Liberalism of Fear” (1989)

Susan Strange, the Mother of International Political Economy (IPE). She is one of the most influential figures in British International Affairs, known for her critical perspective on the power structures within the global economic system.
📖 My favorite pick: “Casino Capitalism” (1986)

Barbara W. Tuchman, a political thinker who redefined and questioned fundamental concepts in the history of political thought, such as utopia and ideology. Her book “The Guns of August,” examining the events before World War I, earned the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1963. While I haven’t personally read that one, 📖 my personal pick is “The Zimmermann Telegram” (1957).

Last but not least, Sadako Ogata served as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees during tensions, including the Rwandan genocide and the Balkans conflict. Her works lean towards human rights & crisis in security
📖 Favorite pick: “The Turbulent Decade: Confronting the Refugee Crisis of the 1990s.” (2005)

Say their names! 📊✨❤️ #womeninpolitics #womeninsecurity
Medium •

The risks of having incompetent leaders in politics (I’ve seen it)

Today, I shed a few tears as I watched a documentary detailing the systematic destruction of my country’s democracy. It feels incredibly personal to witness the visual representation of timelines depicting how the current regime has dismantled the system from within.

I never thought I would find myself in my dimly lit room, far away from home, on the verge of tears, contemplating the state to which my country has succumbed.

What is even more interesting to me is the fact that the destruction a
Medium •

Death Drive beneath the stage: exploring the addiction to danger

Freud believed the death drive shows up in our minds as a leaning towards self-destruction, or directing that tension outwards as aggression. This idea comes from the compulsion to repeat, where we engage in behaviors not driven by pleasure.

Also touching upon collective identity during concerts: I cast aside my roles as a researcher, daughter, and sister. I evolve into a integral part of the crowd, immersed in a space where I can sense every goosebump, belt out the loudest tunes, and effortles
Medium •

“Salam empat jari”, a movement to save Indonesia’s democracy.

One of the issues in Indonesia’s 2024 election is the concept of ‘satu putaran,’ meaning there will only be one round of the election, as regulated by Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections.

According to Article 416, Paragraph (1) of Election Law Number 7 of 2017, the conditions for a one-round election are as follows:

‘Elected Candidate Pairs’ are pairs who obtain more than 50% (fifty percent) of the total votes in the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election, with at least 20%
Medium •

Indonesia’s 2nd Presidential Debate Analysis: Where do Candidates Stand on Cyberpolitics, Terrorism…

Today marks the third debate in the Indonesia election, the second involving the presidential candidates. The last vis-à-vis was highly heated; you can read my previous analysis here: https://medium.com/political-science-and-others/analysis-of-the-first-presidential-debate-in-indonesia-1c94780f81c4

With my background in maritime security and cyberpolitics, I will specifically emphasize the critical importance of addressing terrorism, the intersection of technology in politics, and the pressing