New Zealand's military chief wants to negotiate with the Taliban. It's a controversial approach that raises the classic question of whether we talk with terrorists... and dozens of other questions alongside
Read MoreTaliban
Time to say “Bye Bye, Mr Karzai”
Afghanistan’s president Hamid Karzai has been threatening to join the Taliban. He should be encouraged to do it and we should leave his country quickly
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 7
Obama's new nuclear policy less hard-line than predecessors'; Thai red-shirt protesters rally despite ban; Baghdad rocked by eight explosions; Taliban takes responsibility for Peshawar bombing; Britain heads to General Election; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday February 25
Second Taliban leader captured by Pakistan, but has the ISI really changed?; China's Communist Party's rules to tackle corruption; EU warns Turkey over coup claims; Ill Nigerian president returns home; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday February 17
Operation Moshtarak: bin Laden associate captured but 15 civilians killed; Australian terrorists sentenced; Clinton warns Iran becoming a military dictatorship; Israel gives Russia telling off; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday February 5
NATO press release announces new attack plan (+ analysis); China refuses to revalue currency; Obama to meet Dalai Lama; Three US soldiers killed in Pakistan bombing; and more
Read MoreCan London deliver us from the Taliban?
This week the countries bogged down in Afghanistan meet in London to set new goals for their international mission and Hamad Karzai's government. But against a growing Taliban insurgency and runaway corruption, can talk deliver tangibles?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 4
Karzai's first post-victory speech; Taliban claim responsibility for disrupting election; North Korea bomb pressure mounts; Australia's economy recovers; Czech ruling on Lisbon Treaty; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 20
US troop numbers could depend on Afghan election re-run; Dozens die in Iran bombings; Pakistan army try to crush Taliban insurgency; Gordon Brown says 'Copenhagen deal must make history'; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 9
Taliban take responsibility for Indian embassy bombing in Kabul; court says Dow Jones defamed Singapore's founder; Pakistan rejects US aid; Nigeria's MEND to resume attacks; and more
Read MoreAfghanistan – The return to secrecy
As Prime Minister John Key confirms the NZSAS is back in
World News Brief, Wednesday September 2
Gen. McChrystal announces new strategy in Afghanistan (+analysis); New Islamic leader in Iraq; cholera outbreak in Papua New Guinea; Burmese refugees return home; and more
Read MoreWhat price democracy? Ask the brave Afghans
To understand the Aghan election we will need to re-think our idea of success
Read MoreThe unlikely wisdom of returning to war
Although it goes against all my instincts, sending the SAS back to Afghanistan makes sense. What other path is there to peace?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday August 4
Ahmadinejad sworn in as protest leaders boycott ceremony; Bloody weekend as troops killed in Afghanistan; Plague hits China; Israeli foriegn minister faces indictment; and more
Read MoreTaking tea with the Taliban
The latest NATO tactic for trying to exit the war in Afghanistan is to reach out to the enemy. Talking with Taliban 'moderates' is now under serious, top level consideration, but do such 'moderates' exist and can they be trusted to finish the job of Operation Enduring Freedom?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 22
Deadliest month in Afghanistan since 2001 invasion; Hillary Clinton to attend ASEAN; three UN agencies banned from Somalia; Iraqi president visits United States; and more
Read MoreMemo to Key: Canadians keen to quit Afghanistan
As the number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan continues to mount, the latest public opinion poll shows Canadians steadily losing faith in sending troops into that war. John Key should take note
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 16
Taliban shoots down helicopter, British send more troops to Afghanistan; Turks accuse China of genocide; Pakistan-India in new anti-terror talks; Polish PM to lead EU; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 15
Swat refugees head home (+ campaign analysis); more Uighur violence in China; Burmese leaders to release political prisoners; Taylor takes stand at war crimes trial; and more
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