Dr David Engel was a senior analyst on Indonesia in ASPI’s Defence and Strategy Program until Dec 2022.

Before joining ASPI, David spent 30 years in the Australian Public Service, mainly in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Besides serving as Australia’s Ambassador to Mexico and the countries of Central America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, he also served twice in Australia’s embassy in Jakarta, on the last occasion as Minister-Deputy Head of Mission.

He also served overseas as Counsellor in Australia’s embassy in Washington, and as Second Secretary in the embassy in Phnom Penh. In Canberra, he held the position of Assistant Director-General, South East Asia, in the former Office of National Assessments, as well as Assistant Secretary for Policy Planning, Assistant Secretary Global Issues, and Director of DFAT’s Indonesia desk.