John Key has over-turned the most difficult decision of his Prime Ministership without answering the central questions this u-turn raises
Read MoreIraq War
On War, restraint & Trojan horses
National's decision to stand alongside our allies but not to 'go to war' strengthens our narrative as a small country with its own mind, but beware mission creep
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 17
US AAA credit rating at risk; Japan to build 14 new power plants; Khmer Rouge war crimes tribunal nears end; Russian opposition leader released from prison; Iraq War claimed 500,000 Iraqi lives, study finds; and more
Read MoreUnglücklich das Land, das Helden nötig hat
Who should we really thank for the British House of Commons vote against attacking Syria?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 16
US declares Iraq war officially over, prepares to open largest US embassy in world; Over 100,000 Iraqis and 4,5000 US soldiers killed in conflict (+ timeline and analysis); Govt promises "punishment" after revolt in China over land seizures; Mexico tells off US and Europe as it takes over G20 rule; Human Rights Watch says Syrian commanders ordered "shoot to kill"; DRC opposition wants protect to protect election win; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 14
US and Iraq negotiate post-war partnership just weeks from withdrawal; Obama warns Iran to respect Iraq's sovereignty; China has been cyber-spying, US intelligence claims; Over 5000 dead in Syria since Assad crackdown; "Holiday Man" working presidential bid in Russia; Canada pulls out of Kyoto after years of complaint; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 8
Bomb at New Delhi High Court kills at least nine, Islamist extremists claim responsibility (+ analysis); Australia's economy bounces back; German court rules Euro bailouts legal, but imposes restrictions; South Korea to buy missiles for islands bordering North Korea; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 10
More troops sent to Afghanistan for Obama's surge; critics say Obama's strategy too costly; South Korea imposes Iran sanctions; Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat, relationship threatened; death of two American soldiers in Iraq "won't undermine mission"; Secretary Clinton defends US foreign policy; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 2
Obama ends Iraq war stressing "huge price" paid by US as al-Maliki hails Iraqi freedom (+ analysis); Greens do deal with Gillard; Chinese manufacturing rebounds, easing Asian economic fears; Four dead as Hamas targets peace talks; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 1
US announces new sanctions against North Korea as Kim Jong-Il talks up six-party talk; Biden in Iraq as combat comes to an end; Japanese "kingpin" to challenge PM; Israelis and Palestinians both promise not to concede too much ahead of peace talks; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday August 20
Last American combat troops leave Iraq, with no government formed – mission accomplished? (+ analysis); Immigration key issue in Australian campaign's final days; Russia's new push into Afghanistan; One million civil servants on strike in South Africa; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 29
US admits losing billions of Iraqi dollars as it frets about lack of government (+ analysis); France "at war with al Qaeda" after engineer killing; Japan reaches out to skilled migrants; New BP boss reckons no more oil will flow into Gulf; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday January 13
Israel and US accused of killing Iranian scientist; Dutch inquiry finds Iraq war illegal; Campell testifies before British Iraq inquiry; WTO steps into US-China trade dispute; Nigerian president recovering; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 9
Over 100 die in Baghdad bombings; EPA threatens to cut US emissions without Congress; Japan tries another whopping stimulus package; India to buy more atomic fuel from Russia; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 10
Iraq passes election law; Dalai Lama visits India; North Korean military takes control of economy; China pledges billions of dollars of aid to Africa; abortions rights activists plan to block US healthcare bill
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 1
Spies inside Al Qaeda weakening terror group (+analysis); Pacific tsunamis kill more than 100; Survivors angry with slow disaster response in Philippines; US talks with Cuban government and dissidents; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 1
US begins withdrawal from Iraq + timeline; Iran elections confirmed as Ahmadinejad increases vote; record unemployment in Japan; Taliban abandons peace deal; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 1
Clinton offers Iran "reconciliation"; China to launch new stock exchange; Britain troops being withdrawal from Iraq; Arab leaders host Latin presidents; and more
Read MoreOne smart, tough Kiwi rooster
Helen Clark, consummate international performer, leaves big shoes for John Key to fill as he heads to Peru's APEC as her successor
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