On September 15, Mount Anak Krakatau erupted, sending volcanic ash as high as 15,000 meters into the atmosphere. The eruption was so powerful that its rumbling could be heard up to 700 kilometers away. The event disrupted regional air travel, with eight airports halting operations and over 270,000 passengers being stranded. At nearly the same time, smoke from forest fires in Indonesian Borneo drifted across borders, affecting air quality in neighboring countries. In Sarawak, air pollution led to a sharp increase in asthma cases, while in Manila, pollution levels exceeded the World Health Organization's safe limit by more than four times. These incidents highlight how environmental crises in Indonesia can have far-reaching effects, not only in terms of physical damage but also on diplomatic relations and the country’s international reputation. Domestically, the volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau caused eye irritation and led to the temporary closure of schools, with students switching to distance learning. Internationally, the eruption disrupted regional aviation, tourism, and travel, requiring swift coordination and information-sharing with neighboring countries. Meanwhile, the transboundary haze from forest fires created a different kind of challenge. Smoke from fires in Indonesia, often linked to companies based in Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia, affected populations in neighboring countries. This made the issue not just an environmental concern but also a matter of cross-border corporate responsibility and diplomacy. Indonesia is increasingly exposed to climate-related hazards, and the frequency of wildfires has risen in recent years. These recurring environmental crises can reinforce perceptions of Indonesia and its regional neighbors as sources of environmental risk. For a country aiming to play a larger role in regional and global affairs, managing these risks effectively is crucial. The ASEAN Disaster Risk Communication Framework emphasizes the importance of timely, accurate, and trustworthy information-sharing among national agencies, regional entities, and international partners. Indonesia’s ability to demonstrate leadership in disaster communication within the region is therefore a key question in its diplomatic strategy. Crisis communication is also a form of public diplomacy. According to Ingrid d'Hooghe, a senior research associate, governments must communicate with both domestic and international audiences using three key types of information: physical coping, psychological coping, and reputational repair. Physical coping includes updates on risks and protective measures, such as air quality reports or volcanic ash warnings. Psychological coping helps reduce fear and uncertainty, as seen in Indonesia’s disaster management agency’s reassurance that the Anak Krakatau eruption did not pose a tsunami risk. This was especially important for communities still recovering from the 2018 Sunda Strait tsunami, which was also caused by the same volcano. Reputational repair, however, is more complex. It involves strategic communication aimed at restoring a country’s image, particularly when a crisis is perceived as the result of negligence or inadequate prevention. The Anak Krakatau eruption is a no-fault crisis, meaning Indonesia did not cause it, so its reputation depends on how effectively it responds and communicates. In contrast, forest fires are largely human-caused, making reputational repair more challenging. Simply attributing fires to natural conditions like dry weather or El Niño can be seen as an excuse by affected communities. True reputational recovery requires concrete action, such as enforcing environmental laws, investigating those responsible, and preventing future fires. Ultimately, Indonesia’s international standing during a crisis will be shaped not just by what it says, but by the consistency between its words and actions.