<![CDATA[ABSTRACTBorder areas play a strategic role in safeguarding national sovereignty and defense; however, the high mobility of indigenous communities and the socio-cultural dynamics in border regions present various challenges as well as opportunities for strengthening national defense based on the values of Pancasila. This study aims to analyze the limitations and opportunities in strengthening national defense based on Pancasila among the Skouw ethnic group at the Skouw International Border Crossing Point (PLBN), Indonesia–Papua New Guinea. The study employs a qualitative approach using a case study design. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews with Skouw PLBN officials, documentation, and a literature review, and were then analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques with triangulation of sources and methods to ensure data validity. The results of the study indicate that the high mobility of the community during traditional activities—particularly marriages between the Skouw and Wutung communities—poses a limitation to the strengthening of national defense, as it increases the complexity of border crossing surveillance and has the potential to be exploited for cross-border administrative violations. On the other hand, cross-border kinship ties, the continuity of traditional customs, community compliance with the Border Crossing Permit (PLB) mechanism, and the internalization of Pancasila values serve as social capital that strengthens non-military defense in the border region. The conclusion of this study is that strengthening national defense in border areas requires synergy among the government, security forces, border crossing point (PLBN) administrators, customary institutions, educational institutions, and the community in integrating the preservation of local culture with the implementation of the values of Pancasila to achieve national resilience. ABSTRAKKawasan perbatasan memiliki peran strategis dalam menjaga kedaulatan dan pertahanan negara, namun tingginya mobilitas masyarakat adat serta dinamika sosial budaya di wilayah perbatasan menghadirkan berbagai tantangan sekaligus peluang dalam memperkuat pertahanan negara berbasis nilai-nilai Pancasila. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis limitasi dan peluang dalam memperkuat pertahanan negara berbasis Pancasila pada masyarakat Suku Skouw di Pos Lintas Batas Negara (PLBN) Skouw, Indonesia–Papua New Guinea. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi, wawancara mendalam dengan petugas PLBN Skouw, dokumentasi, dan studi literatur, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan teknik analisis data kualitatif dengan triangulasi sumber dan teknik untuk menjamin keabsahan data. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingginya mobilitas masyarakat pada kegiatan adat, khususnya pernikahan antara masyarakat Skouw dan Wutung menjadi limitasi dalam penguatan pertahanan negara karena meningkatkan kompleksitas pengawasan perlintasan serta berpotensi dimanfaatkan untuk pelanggaran administrasi lintas batas. Di sisi lain, hubungan kekerabatan lintas batas, keberlangsungan tradisi adat, kepatuhan masyarakat terhadap mekanisme Pas Lintas Batas (PLB), serta internalisasi nilai-nilai Pancasila menjadi modal sosial yang memperkuat pertahanan nirmiliter di kawasan perbatasan. Kesimpulan penelitian ini yaitu penguatan pertahanan negara di wilayah perbatasan memerlukan sinergi antara pemerintah, aparat keamanan, pengelola PLBN, lembaga adat, institusi pendidikan, dan masyarakat dalam mengintegrasikan pelestarian budaya lokal dengan implementasi nilai-nilai Pancasila guna mewujudkan ketahanan nasional.]]>
