Story highlights Australia and Indonesia have quickly mended damaged military ties

Bust-up stemmed from "offensive material" at joint military training camp

(CNN) The sudden bust-up, and equally quick detente, between Australia and Indonesia over the past few days shows just how delicate -- and crucial -- the relationship between the two neighbors is.

Indonesia suspended all military cooperation with Australia last month after taking offense over an incident at a joint military training facility.

There was a twist in the tale however -- Australia made a public apology on Thursday and Indonesia accepted it the very same day, downplaying a spat that had earlier seemed to have severe, and potentially long-lasting, repercussions.

The grace displayed by both nations mended what could have been a very damaging rift.

Natali Sambhi, a research fellow who focuses on Indonesian defense and security at the Perth USAsia Center, tells CNN the defense cooperation between the two countries is mutually beneficial to both militaries.

Read More