Timor-Leste, one of the world’s newest and smallest nations, is marked by visible signs of foreign engagement—from international donor-funded infrastructure projects to oil and gas rigs operated by international companies. Yet beyond these overt manifestations, foreign interests also shape daily life in more subtle and less explored ways. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the less visible, local-level impacts of foreign involvement.
Focusing on two key sectors—police reform and infrastructure—the study introduces a methodology for analysing foreign interests and the resulting local effects. The role of local politics emerged as the key factor shaping the local impacts of external intervention. The wide array of foreign agencies involved creates space for Timor-Leste to push back on foreign interests. At the same time, it can create tensions and generate unintended consequences. This report also highlights potential learning opportunities between the foreign policy and international development communities.