Parker Novak is a U.S.-based government affairs professional and former East Timor and Indonesia director for the International Republican Institute; Jack Mullan is a Singapore-based risk analyst and founder of a regional markets consulting firm operating in East Timor.
Jose Ramos-Horta's victory in East Timor's presidential runoff election against incumbent President Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres will have a major impact on two areas critical to Southeast Asia's future: energy and China's role in the region.