Australia cast itself as the hero of East Timor. But it was US military might that got troops in | Paul Daley

Newly released diplomatic cables show the realpolitik behind the scenes as Indonesian militias prepared to torch Dili

Australia's precise role in bringing independence to Timor-Leste two decades ago continues to simmer as unsettled business at the heart of modern Australian diplomatic and military history.

Twenty years is the blink of an eye, of course. And my memories of having a front-row seat on the Australian domestic politics, and the diplomatic and military movements preceding and following the East Timorese autonomy ballot, are vivid.