Via Australia’s Financial Review, a report that Google signed a $102m Aussie-US deal to run internet cables to Pacific islands: Alphabet’s Google will run undersea cables powering internet access to at least eight Pacific island nations under a joint US-Australian deal set to be announced on Wednesday, according to a US official. The deal will […]
Read more »Courtesy of The Diplomat, a look at how Asia’s youngest nation has shown that resource wealth does not necessarily impede the development of a stable democracy: Amid Southeast Asia’s democratic backsliding, Timor-Leste’s success is impressive. In May, the country elected a new parliament. In July, power was transferred peacefully from Fretilin to a National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT)-led coalition headed […]
Read more »Via Nikkei Asia, an article on China’s new strategic partnership with Timor Leste which may give Beijing more regional influence: China and East Timor have upgraded bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, potentially giving Beijing more influence in the region while satisfying the young half-island nation’s desire for stronger ties with major economies. The […]
Read more »Via The China Project, a report on growing Chinese influence in Timor Leste: In 2017, Timor-Leste signed up to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and hosted Chinese warships in its ports. It led to fears of a political power-play by the P.R.C., with some calling Timor-Leste “Australia’s Cuba.” The tiny half-island nation of Timor-Leste […]
Read more »Via Modern Diplomacy, commentary on the potential for economic cooperation between Indonesia and Timor Leste: The highlight in ASEAN news for the past few weeks, Indonesia has agreed that East-Timor will be included in the ASEAN agenda for 2023, which Indonesia will be the Chairmanship for this year. However, there are still some polemics among […]
Read more »Via Eurasia Review, analysis of Timor Leste’s near term prospects: In the past few years, everyday life in Timor-Leste has been disrupted by the multiple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conditions were imposed on the exercise of public liberties, the composition of government and the dynamics of political life were challenged, economic performance weakened and […]
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