Mission Creep
The military mission to Iraq is to be extended by another 18 months, much to nobody’s surprise. John Key has put the creep into the mission.
International
war
Double the quota
The Nats’ quota increase has now been described as “shameful and inhumane”, “stinks of a Government that doesn’t care”, “pathetic”, “mean-spirited and callous”, and more. Will they get the message?
Why American Foreign Policy still matters
So what should the next President of the United States focus on? Military power or economic domination or international institutions?
Refugee quota increase “shameful and inhumane”
Reaction to Key’s pathetic increase in the refugee quota – “shameful and inhumane” (Amnesty International), “stinks of a Government that doesn’t care” (Double the Quota).
Funding priorities
Why are we spending so much money on “defense” when there are so many real and urgent needs? It is hard to imagine that our “enemies” could possibly do us more damage than we are inflicting on ourselves.
What Possibility a Mid Winter Celebration?
According to the Herald on Sunday, some people aren’t just sitting back waiting for the Chilcot report to be released before deciding what to do. Some people are getting geared up.
Little just visited NZ troops in Iraq
“Opposition Leader Andrew Little has visited New Zealand troops at Camp Taji, Iraq. Mr Little also met with Iraqi Defence Minister Khaled Al-Obedih and senior military officials from the Coalition forces in Iraq. He now heads to Jordan to see the unfolding refugee crisis first hand.”
Anzac Day 2016
Today is Anzac Day, 101 years since ANZAC forces began the Gallipoli campaign.
Lahore bombing
Condolences to all those affected by the horrific bombing in Lahore.
Easter Monday Round Up
Three news items stand out from the long weekend. Actor Robert De Niro being inoculated against anti-vaxxers, ISIS being driven out of Palmyra and the free part of Ireland celebrating the centenary of the Easter Rising. All are milestones of sorts, markers of positive change.
Brussels attack
Isis has claimed responsibility for the horrific attacks in Brussels that left 34 dead.
Putin’s “surprise” partial withdrawal from Syria
Russia is pulling out a large part of its forces in Syria. Is this a sign of Putin’s success – or a retreat that gives evidence to Putin and Russia’s weakness?
The “jihadi brides” lie
Remember the “jihadi brides” – part of last year’s beat-up about the risk of terrorism in NZ? Yesterday the central lie in the story was revealed.
Turkey is in trouble and the US is part of it
The Middle East temperature is heating up and Turkey is finding itself in trouble on many fronts.
General Lord Dannatt: UK should work with Assad in Syria
Russia understands how to defeat ISIS and the UK should be helping not opposing them, says a former UK Army chief of staff.
The difference between decent folk and complete idiots
For a change I’m not going to have a rip at our local idiotic politicians. The most extreme case recently being the now infamous Dildo Baggins. Lets have a look offshore where they are often even worse…
Afghanistan – a forgotten war
More than a decade after the Taliban Government was ‘regime changed’ by the west, the Taliban are resurgent and Afghan civilian deaths are as high as ever.
Syria escalating
Turkey has started shelling the US backed Kurdish forces that are fighting against ISIS. What could go wrong?
Happy Genocide Day Cobbers!
Today is Australia Day, the federal celebration of the invasion of the big island to the west of us. Journalist Stan Grant lays bare the Australian Dream in a stunning contribution to the recent IQ2Oz debate. Clearly, as the video shows, saying sorry isn’t enough.
The unexpected oil crisis
The world is currently facing a problem that even a few years ago was unthinkable. Oil is cheap and demand has dropped out of the market. What are the geopolitical implications of this?
Saudi Arabia and the free trade deal
David Shearer has disagreed with the Greens that New Zealand should suspend negotiations on the free trade agreement with Saudi Arabia until it improves its human rights record.
The major world risks in 2016
Ad reviews Eurasia’s appraisal of global risks the world faces in 2016.
The difference between a terrorist and a good old boy
In the US of A the armed invasion of a State Building by a group determined to hold onto the building has been met with no response from the police.
Barbaric Death Cult or friend and ally?
Spot the difference.
Jeremy Corbyn’s first hundred days
Jeremy Corbyn has recently experienced his 100th day in office as Labour Leader. And despite many predictions of his untimely demise the impression is that he may just hold on and make a difference,
Treachery and silly season political snippets
There’s still a few MPs “on duty”. Their function is to maintain the semblance of active government and to roll out a bunch of announcements they hope will escape full scrutiny.
Protection of National Security Information
At the heart of the project is the tension between national interests and individual rights. Questions about how to balance these interests are not new, but they have been brought into sharp focus by recent international events.
“Jihadi brides” and Peter Dunne
Like a stopped watch, Peter Dunne sometimes gets it right.
Collision course Syria
Russia is backing anti-Islamist Kurds in Northern Syria to control their own territory, and acting directly against the interests of the jihadist groups that Turkey, a NATO member, is supporting. The temperature will only rise from here.
Hilary Benn: we never should walk by on the other side of the road
UK MP Hilary Benn has given one of the finest speeches Westminster has heard in years in the debate over Syria. It will go down as a defining moment in the fight against Daesh and proves that bombing alone is not the answer. Watch it. It’s how politics can be, when done right.
UK votes to bomb Syria
Allahu Quackbar!
4chan bombs Isis. Now that’s the way to hurt them!
International law and the Turkish shootdown of the RuAF Su-24
Assuming the Russian jet did enter Turkish airspace for 17s, was there really no recourse for Turkey other than using lethal force?
Corbyn – no convincing case for UK bombing of Syria
An alternative view to Te Reo Putake’s post concerning Jeremy Corbyn and the bombing of Syria.
Corbyn’s Isis Crisis
UK Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn faces his first big test. Can he command the majority in Labour over Syria? Or should he accept he is on the wrong side of history?
Refugees to be settled in Dunedin
As reported yesterday Dunedin has been picked as the new settlement location for refugees. May they find a warm welcome and a future of peace and security here.