Country
Timor-Leste
![Is Timor-Leste Ready to Join ASEAN? Is Timor-Leste Ready to Join ASEAN?](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2021-08-27-1.jpg)
Is Timor-Leste Ready to Join ASEAN?
By Joao da Cruz Cardoso
If membership means sacrificing the country's values, perhaps it would be better to remain on the outside.
![COVID-19 Breaches Last Southeast Asian Bastions COVID-19 Breaches Last Southeast Asian Bastions](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2021-08-10-7.jpg)
COVID-19 Breaches Last Southeast Asian Bastions
By Sebastian Strangio
Brunei breaks its 15-month coronavirus-free streak, while Timor-Leste reports the arrival of the contagious Delta variant.
![Timor-Leste’s Bid for ASEAN Membership Tarnished by Myanmar Vote Timor-Leste’s Bid for ASEAN Membership Tarnished by Myanmar Vote](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-2021-06-29-1.jpg)
Timor-Leste’s Bid for ASEAN Membership Tarnished by Myanmar Vote
By Luke Hunt
Abstention on the U.N. resolution is a “vote of shame,” says Nobel laureate.
![Why Humanitarian Assistance Matters: The Case of Climate Disaster and COVID-19 in Timor-Leste Why Humanitarian Assistance Matters: The Case of Climate Disaster and COVID-19 in Timor-Leste](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-2021-05-11-8.jpg)
Why Humanitarian Assistance Matters: The Case of Climate Disaster and COVID-19 in Timor-Leste
By Fidelis Magalhães
In April, after a devastating cyclone and spike in COVID-19 cases, Timor-Leste made a formal appeal to international partners for support. The significance of such aid extends far beyond the amount pledged.
![Timor-Leste: Natural Disasters and COVID-19 Take Their Toll Timor-Leste: Natural Disasters and COVID-19 Take Their Toll](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-2021-04-19.jpg)
Timor-Leste: Natural Disasters and COVID-19 Take Their Toll
By Guteriano Neves
A recent cyclone has added another layer to the challenges that Timor-Leste is facing in the fight against COVID-19.
![Heavy Rains Over Easter Weekend Flood Timor-Leste’s Capital Heavy Rains Over Easter Weekend Flood Timor-Leste’s Capital](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-7020704487_2524a80514_b.jpg)
Heavy Rains Over Easter Weekend Flood Timor-Leste’s Capital
By Joshua Mcdonald
Skies cleared in time for the country’s first delivery of COVID-19 vaccine, but the lasting devastation may complicate distribution.
![Why is Timor-Leste Still Unable to Diversify its Economy? Why is Timor-Leste Still Unable to Diversify its Economy?](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-2021-03-01-1.jpg)
Why is Timor-Leste Still Unable to Diversify its Economy?
By Joao da Cruz Cardoso
Many changes are necessary if the country is to break the shackles of oil dependency and build a more diverse and sustainable economy.
![Timor-Leste’s Costly Oil and Gas Ambitions Grind to a Halt Timor-Leste’s Costly Oil and Gas Ambitions Grind to a Halt](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-2020-10-02-1.jpg)
Timor-Leste’s Costly Oil and Gas Ambitions Grind to a Halt
By David Hutt
Despite rumors of potential Chinese involvement, the $18 billion Tasi Mane oil and gas processing project is unlikely to eventuate.
![Timor-Leste’s Draft Defamation Law Will Make It Harder to Curb Corruption Timor-Leste’s Draft Defamation Law Will Make It Harder to Curb Corruption](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-2020-04-27-1.jpg)
Timor-Leste’s Draft Defamation Law Will Make It Harder to Curb Corruption
By Jonas Guterres
The broad scope of criminal defamation and its application presents a serious obstacle to journalists and whistleblowers seeking to expose corruption.
![Timor-Leste’s COVID-19 Response Timor-Leste’s COVID-19 Response](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-2020-04-27-1.jpg)
Timor-Leste’s COVID-19 Response
By Guteriano Neves
The government’s timely and decisive action in the initial stage prevented a catastrophic situation, but uncertainty remains.
![Timor-Leste’s Coronavirus Response Timor-Leste’s Coronavirus Response](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2016-09-30_16-51-13.jpg)
Timor-Leste’s Coronavirus Response
By Fidelis Magalhães
Timor-Leste’s COVID-19 state of emergency is a twin effort to save people’s lives and their livelihoods.
![Rethinking Timor-Leste’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Rethinking Timor-Leste’s COVID-19 State of Emergency](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-2020-04-27-1.jpg)
Rethinking Timor-Leste’s COVID-19 State of Emergency
By Li-Li Chen
Is the country’s coronavirus policy protecting the vulnerable or leaving them behind?