From the Washington Post, “In E. Timor, an Optimistic Enterprise Turns to Ashes”:

East Timor had been the model for U.N. nation-building, hailed as an example of a modern state raised literally from ashes with the help of international cash and expertise. The island had been left devastated by Indonesian-backed militias, which went on a rampage of burning and looting after the East Timorese voted to break away. The story of the country’s return to anarchy and foreign dependency last week is one of grievances wired into the state at its creation, especially within the security forces, and then ignored by East Timorese leaders and foreign officials.

(It’s a story that will not increase your optimism about Iraq.)