José Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmão is an East Timorese politician who has served as the prime minister of East Timor since 2023, previously serving in that position from 2007 to 2015. A former rebel, he also served as East Timor's first president since its re-establishment of independence, from 20 May 2002 to 20 May 2007.
The Timor Leste Defence Force is the military of East Timor. The F-FDTL was established in February 2001 and comprises two infantry battalions, small naval and air components and several supporting units.
The national flag of East Timor is one of the official symbols of East Timor. It consists of a red field with the black isosceles triangle based on the hoist-side bearing a white five-pointed star in the center superimposed on the larger yellow triangle, also based on the hoist-side, that extends to the center of the flag.
The President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor is the head of state of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste. The executive powers of the President of the republic are limited however, the President is also the ex officio head of the Council of State, able to veto legislation and is the supreme commander of the Timor Leste Defence Force.
The 2006 East Timorese crisis began as a conflict between elements of the military of East Timor over discrimination within the military and expanded to a coup attempt and general violence throughout the country, centred in the capital Dili. The crisis prompted a military intervention by several other countries and led to the resignation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.
Alfredo Alves Reinado, sometimes spelled Reinhado, was a major in the military of Timor-Leste, the Timor Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL). He deserted on 4 May 2006 to join approximately 600 former soldiers who had been sacked in March 2006 after complaining of regional discrimination in promotions, sparking the 2006 East Timor crisis. Reinado was one of the leaders of the rebel soldiers, and the highest-ranking deserter.
The Armed Forces for the National Liberation of East Timor originally began as the military wing of the Fretilin party of East Timor. It was established on 20 August 1975 in response to Fretilin's political conflict with the Timorese Democratic Union (UDT).
José Maria Vasconcelos, popularly known as Taur Matan Ruak, is an East Timorese politician who served as 8th prime minister of East Timor from 2018 to 2023. He also was served as 5th president of East Timor from 2012 to 2017.
The Military ranks of East Timor are the military insignia used by the Timor Leste Defence Force. Being a former colony of Portugal, East Timor shares a rank structure similar to that of Portuguese Armed Forces.
Lieutenant General Kenneth James Gillespie is a retired senior officer in the Australian Army. Gillespie served as Vice Chief of the Defence Force from 2005 until 2008, then Chief of Army from 2008 until his retirement in June 2011.
Baucau Airport, formerly Cakung Airport, is an unattended and mostly unused airport near Baucau, East Timor. It is the largest airport in East Timor, and has a much longer runway than Dili's Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, long enough to handle large commercial airliners.
East Timor is a multiparty parliamentary republic with a population of approximately 1.1 million, sharing the island of Timor with Indonesia's Nusa Tenggara province. During the 24 years of Indonesian occupation and after the 1999 independence referendum, pro Indonesian militias committed many human rights violations. The country gained independence in 2002, and free and fair elections were held in 2007. The United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor (UNMIT) and the International Stabilization Force remain in the country while it develops its own security forces, the National Police (PNTL) and Defence Forces (F-FDTL).
Presidential elections were held in East Timor on 17 March 2012, with a second round on 16 April. Incumbent president José Ramos-Horta, who was eligible for a second and final term as president, announced that he would seek nomination to be a candidate in the election. The election was seen as a test for the "young democracy" in seeking to take control of its own security. Former military commander Taur Matan Ruak provisionally beat Francisco Guterres in a second round runoff.
Lieutenant General Faridoon Noshir 'Billy' Billimoria, PVSM (1933–2005) was an Indian Army officer who was the 15th General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Central Command. He commanded a battalion in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He was also the commandant of the Defence Services Staff College in 1986.
The Order of Timor-Leste is the highest honour currently awarded by East Timor. Established in 2009, the order was created after the original honours granted by East Timor. It is of a more general and broader nature than the original orders related to East Timor's independence. The order recognises the contributions of East Timorese and foreign nationals who have made a significant contribution to East Timor, the Timorese or Mankind in general.
Major General Claës-Henrik Bengtsson (B:son) Nordenskiöld was a Swedish Air Force officer and sailor. He was Chief of the Air Staff from 1966 to 1970 and acting Chief of the Air Force in 1968.
Brigadier General Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus is an East Timorese politician and former senior officer in the Timor Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL). From July 2018 to July 2023, he was Minister of Defense, serving in the VIII Constitutional Government of East Timor led by Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak. Between October 2011 and July 2018, he was the Deputy Chief of the F-FDTL.
The Chief of the Defence Forces is the professional head of the Timor Leste Defence Force. He is responsible for the administration and the operational control of the East Timor military. The current chief is Falur Rate Laek, succeeding Lere Anan Timur.
Presidential elections were held in East Timor on 19 March 2022. Incumbent Francisco Guterres sought election to a second term. As none of the presidential nominees received at least 50% of the cast votes, a runoff was held on 19 April 2022, between the top two candidates, José Ramos-Horta and Guterres. Ramos-Horta won the runoff with 62.1% of the total votes cast.
General (Rtd) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid bin Bidin was the 4th Chief of Defence Forces of Malaysia.
Order of Timor-Leste 
Medal of Merit 
Halibur Medal 
Lieutenant General 
