Hands Off Our Oil!

If Australia and East Timor were at war over territory, the conflict would be called asymmetric. East Timor (pop. 800,000) is one of the world's poorest countries; its neighbor Australia (pop. 20 million) is among the richest. In their efforts to negotiate a permanent legal fence in the Timor Sea, the difference in firepower and tactics could hardly be greater. It is as if a small guerrilla force was facing an opponent that could call in air strikes at any moment. So far, the engagement has produced only bad blood and rancor.

East Timor is pressing for...