<![CDATA[Twenty-first century security threats are increasingly hybrid and multidimensional, demanding defense governance that no longer rests solely on modernization of weapon systems, but on synergy between strategic leadership and accountable civil-military relations. Following the 1998 Reformasi, Indonesia laid the normative foundation for objective civilian control through Law No. 3/2002 and Law No. 34/2004; nevertheless, consolidation remains overshadowed by structural rigidities and sociocultural residues from the New Order. This article analyzes the urgency of synergy between strategic leadership and defense governance in constructing an ideal civil-military relations model in Indonesia, employing a narrative literature review that thematically curates and synthesizes literature by interrelated sub-topics. Findings indicate that defense governance effectiveness remains constrained by bureaucratic fragmentation, inter-service sectoral ego, and residual militaristic autonomy that impede substantive civilian control, even where the regulatory framework is adequate. As a resolution, the article recommends transitioning from coercive control toward collaborative security governance, with integration of joint civil-military leadership education at institutions such as Lemhannas and the Indonesian Defense University as a strategic instrument to build shared strategic language and cross-sectoral trust. The findings affirm that accountable civilian supremacy and military professionalism are absolute prerequisites for Indonesia's national defense resilience.]]>
