US and EU to impose strict sanctions on Russia; China's former domestic security chief investigated for corruption; military exercises over East China Sea cause flight delays and cancelations; Hamid Karzai's cousin killed in Kabul suicide bombing; Argentina close to defaulting on loan; and more
Read MoreHamid Karzai
World News Brief, Tuesday August 20
Egyptian military to release Mubarak; South Korea and US begin annual military drills; Japanese and Russian foreign ministers meet to discuss territorial dispute; Hamid Karzai sacks attorney general; UN arrives in Syria; and more
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World News Brief, Wednesday August 7
Taliban hold secret talks with Hamid Karzai; China's foreign minister finishes Southeast Asia tour; Japanese prime minister vows to pursue world without nuclear arms; US and Britain withdraw government and diplomatic personnel from Yemen; US evaluating whether Obama will attend Russian summit in wake of Snowden decision; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 14
Hamid Karzai calls for end to air strikes in Afghanistan; UN sends envoy to Burma over sectarian clashes; Aung San Suu Kyi makes her first international trip in 24 years; US accuses Russia of supplying Syria with attack helicopters; borrowing costs continue to rise in Italy and Spain; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 23
Ireland accepts EU bailout of both banks and government (+ analysis); As NZ waits, China rescues 29 trapped miners of its own; Obama tells Karzai to pull his head in as NATo commits until 2014; Abbas blames Isreal ahead of peace talks; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 21
Low turnout, rocket attacks mar Afghanistan election (+ analysis); China-Japan relations deteriorate after fishing boat clash; BP's Gulf of Mexico well finally sealed; China pledges to keep Yuan low; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 16
Japanese central bank intervenes to weaken Yen, boost exports (+ analysis); Pentagon speeds up plans to cut $100 billion; Karzai could get bigger anti-corruption role; French senate bans burqa; and more
Read MoreAfghanistan – alarm bells should be ringing
If the Afghanistan alarm bells were not ringing in Wellington over the last weekend – they should have been
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 14
Iranian nuclear scientist takes refuge in embassy – was he kidnapped or not?; BP successfully caps oil well; Kampala bombing signals the spread of Al Qaeda tactics; Chinese employers having to compete for workers; and more
Read MoreAfghanistan: Leaving the Labyrinth
President Karzai has lost his preferred commander – General McChrystal falls on his sword – and New Zealand’s commitment to Afghanistan has not changed. Does anyone know what’s really happening in the labyrinth?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 13
New British government to focus on emergency Budget, taxes and immigration cap (+ analysis); more school attacks in China; smiles all round as Karzai arrives in Washington; Thai government moves against Red Shirts; and more
Read MoreAfghanistan: Whoa, Johnny,Whoa…
Something happens when politicians put on the steel helmet and flak jacket to join then troops on the battleground in Afghanistan – over there John Key couldn't stop talking. Back home, however, he's keen to keep secrets
Has Karzai been in his brother's stash?
As Afghanistan's President rants on about being invaded by Western troops and toys with the potential of defecting to the Taliban, NATO governments' worries grow about the stability of this dubious 'ally'
Read MoreTime 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 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 November 20
Karzai sworn in promising the Afghan army will control the country within five years (+ analysis); North Korea offered "grand bargain" on nukes; Iran rejects uranium deal; EU to elect president today, frontrunners named; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 21
Karzai set to accept election run-off; US considers pushing for a Karzai-Abdullah coalition; Indonesian president sworn in; Iran accues Pakistan of co-operating with terrorists; 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, Tuesday September 29
Iran responds to tough talk with missile tests; Merkel wins another term in Germany; NATO gives backing to Karzai; North and South Korean family reunions resume; and more
Read MoreAfghanistan – The return to secrecy
As Prime Minister John Key confirms the NZSAS is back in