Alfin is a Master of Strategic Studies (Advanced) student at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University. His specializations include Indonesian defence and strategic policy, middle power strategy, and Southeast Asian geopolitics. Previously, Alfin served as an expert staff member in political affairs for the China-Indonesia high-level dialogue and cooperation secretariat under the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment of Indonesia. He is researching Indonesia's hedging strategy under President Joko Widodo to manage great power politics in Southeast Asia.