A look at Donald Trump’s seismic foreign policy shifts and what America’s controversial vote at the United Nations alongside ‘strongman’ nations means for New Zealand
Read MoreTrump's UN vote a defining act that points to day of reckoning for NZ
United Nations
Contra Quin: Ghahraman still did nothing wrong
Phil Quin says Golriz Ghahraman's time working for defendants in Rwandan war crimes trials deserves our condemnation. I don't think he's established the basis for such a claim.
Read MoreBrownlee's resolution revolution: Is it Israel or bust?
Despite Bill English's assertion that Gerry Brownlee has found the "right language" to discuss Israeli settlements and New Zealand's position on a controversial UN resolution, the foreign minister seems to still be following his own path
Read MoreHow do you solve a problem like (North) Korea?
Role play any potential United States action against North Korea and you soon see the limited choice they face. So what should the US do? What role can China play? And what's best for New Zealand?
Read MoreContext is king: Why Clark's race record is so complex
How and what we remember is complicated but crucial. So when we consider the Maori Party's criticism of Helen Clark, shouldn't we ask if New Zealand is a better or worse place to be Maori given her three terms in government?
Read MoreIs the Gaza conflict going to resolve differently this time?
The Gaza conflict requires a more creative solution than is on offer
Read MoreSilence of the lambs: freedom of speech in New Zealand
A steady erosion of human rights in New Zealand through legislation is being accompanied by Ministerial attempts to avoid searching scrutiny of these measures, and to silence dissenting voices.
Read MoreIran - It's Complicated
When Iran hosts an international summit in any climtae, let along the current one, you can bet its going to be complicated. Nonaligned Movement (NAM) members who've gathered in Tehran have certainly had a taste of geopolitics on speed.
Read MoreKennedy Graham's UN rescue plan – but what about big business?
Kennedy Graham is very experienced and knowledgeable in international law and process, but would his framework achieve what he claims?
Read MorePrisoners' treatment humiliating and cruel
Depressed and suicidal prisoners in New Zealand are placed in so-called 'at risk' cells where they are deprived of sleep and subjected to humiliating searches
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday March 7
Netanayahu insists Iran is developing nuclear weapons, therefore Israel is justified in attacking Iran's nuclear facilities; Asian markets drop in response to China's slowing economic growth; Tibetan teen is latest to set fire to himself as protest against Beijing's Tibet policy; Syria consents to United Nations visit; thousands protest in Russia after Putin's win; and more
Read MoreSyrian slaughter continues as Russia stonewalls at the UN
Diplomacy is failing Syrians as Russia rejects the latest UN Security Council draft resoltuion aimed at stopping al-Assad's brutal crackdown on his own people. Russia's threat of veto is within UN rules, but a rising Syrian death toll is a consequence that's tough to justify.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 22
Obama opposes Palestinian statehood vote, telling UN there is "no shortcut" (+ analysis and visual history); Tens of thousands rally in West Bank to support statehood; Taliban say peace talks were all a ploy to kill Rabbani; North Korea joins talks to end nuclear programme; US extends drone attacks into Africa; and more
Read MorePalestine goes the whole hog
The Palestinians will seek full statehood at the UN Security Council next week so as to negotiate peace on a state-to-state basis. Why could that possibly send Israel and the US scrambling? Why indeed.
Read MoreNow it’s millions for Libya – Why?
It was nice of the Prime Minister to tell us his government committed to recognizing the new government of Libya some weeks ago and would provide it with “millions” of dollars in aid – but it would be better if he told us why.
Read MoreThis famine is man made
The disaster unfolding across the Horn of Africa is a man-made catastrophe that reflects decisions by developed countries about poverty, war and climate change
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday June 28
Four protesters die in Syria as Foreign Minister insists "there is no crackdown"; Intellectuals and activists seek peace at Damascus meeting (+ analysis); Palestinians turn to UN for statehood support; Karzai accuses Pakistan after attacks on Af-Pak border; Khmer Rouge trials begin; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 9
Yemen government agrees unprecedented negotiations as observers suggest transition underway; Tribesmen seize parts of Yemen's second city; Britain and France demand UN sanctions against Syria; Food crisis in east Africa demands urgent action; 97% of Afghanistan's GDP linked to foreign military and donors; China builds first aircraft carrier; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 28
UN denounces Syrian violence, but US discounts Libya-style intervention (+ analysis & multimedia); Italy and France look to close EU borders fearing Arab influx; Human rights abuses to be probed in Libya; Harvard lawyer elected to replace Dalai Lama; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 27
Syria crackdown prompts West to consider sanctions and UN response (+ analysis); Yemen Opposition split over plans to remove Saleh; UN finds war crimes on both sides in Sri Lanakan war, 40,000 dead; Chernobyl remembered 25 years on; and more
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