Cote D'Ivoire strongman on verge of surrender although violence continues (+ analysis); Japan faces rebuild on scale with 1945; Libyan diplomats offer elections, but stand by Qaddafi; Karzai orders investigation into protests he fanned; UN plane crashes killing 32; and more
Read MoreUnited Nations
Of Diplomats and Dictators
Libya's 'Mad Dog' has learnt from Tunisia and Egypt that capitulating is for pussies, not real leaders, and his stance has delivered the biggest diplomatic headache since the Bosnian war.
Read MoreObama: all talk and no action on Palestinians' human rights
The United States' veto of a draft resolution condemning Israel's continued illegal settlement construction has exposed the Obama administration of kowtowing to Israeli pressure and thereby paying lip service to human rights in the Middle East. Bad timing big boy.
Read MoreThe Qantas Media Awards, TVNZ and reporting on Iran
Misleading media reporting is fuelling misperceptions of Iran, and even the BSA has recently backed me in that claim
Read MoreClean drinking water is a basic human right
Is our government signalling a green light for the further privatisation of water services?
Read MoreFlotilla inquiry will mean vitriol for Palmer, perhaps promotion for Clark
Sir Geoffrey Palmer's Gaza flotilla inquiry already looks beset by political storms, but could it turn out to be another step up the ladder for Helen Clark at the UN?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 25
South Korea cuts off almost all trade to North as warship tension builds (+ analysis); America to "ensure readiness" of South Korean defence forces but China unwilling to take sides; Britain announces £6 billion in cuts; Iran says nuclear swap is a "breakthrough"; and more
Read MoreWho is indigenous? The coming question
New Zealand's support for the Declaration of Indigenous Rights ends one debate for Maori. But it begins another, one which strikes at heart of what it means to belong to this country
Read MoreWith nary a whisper of drama, signifying much
Pita Sharples cut a fine figure at the UN. But what, if anything, did it all mean?
Read MoreHi Hillary, waddaya really, really want?
Last time Hillary Clinton cornered a New Zealand politician she got what she wanted: 71 Kiwi SAS troops for special operations in Afghanistan. So what does she really, really want this time?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 4
Pakistan and Afghanistan raise doubts about Obama's war plans (+ analysis); Italy commits 1,000 more troops; Honduran congress backs new president; Philippine journalists ask for UN intervention; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 6
United Nations to pull half its staff out of Afghanistan (+ background); Australia's Christmas Island refugee detention centre compared to Guantanamo; International Court to investigate Kenyan violence; Israel and Syria dispute weapons ship; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 30
Iran to cooperate on nuclear programme (+ analysis); Sri Lankan refugees refuse to leave Australian customs ship; Obama requests province-by-province report on Afghanistan; Europe debates Tony Blair's EU ambitions; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 2
Iran nuclear talks begin with "no compromise" vow (+analysis and background); hundreds die in Indonesia earthquake; Israel to exchange prisoners for video of solider; Obama tells big polluters to install monitors; and more
Read MoreNew Zealand Inc IS our foreign policy
John Key's trip to the US can be defined by a single line on Letterman... we come as friends and we really, really like you. Now let's do some business
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday August 19
Mubarak at White House to discuss Mideast peace (+analysis); Obama speech: Afghanistan "a war of necessity"; UN to investigate Australian aboriginal laws; Thai protests demand Thaksin pardon; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 8
Russia and US to dismantle hundreds of nuclear warheads; more Chinese protests defy lockdown (+backgrounders); Italy struggles to prepare for G8; Mousavi vows to fight on; and more
Read MoreGive us a fair go, Simon Power
The Justice Minister last week tried to tell the United Nations what a 'fair go' means in this country. He failed miserably
Read MoreHelen Clark's OE
While the Machiavellian world of United Nations appointments means Helen Clark won't find it easy securing her international role, it's one to which she's ideally suited
Read MoreUS hypocrisy clouds Clinton's Mid-East headache
Can Hillary Clinton salvage a credible US foreign policy from its self-serving history?
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