A clearly worried China has scored an own-goal with its ridiculous and abusive reaction to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to its national 'dissident' Liu Xiaobo. The embarrassment should last for some time.
Read MoreWorld
The ugly reality of US tax cuts
To the rich the spoils. A Republican refusal to continue unemployment benefits for millions of unemployed Americans unless millionaires and billionaires got to keep tax cuts has seen Obama compromise, and arguably outsmarted
Read MoreFall-out from the Leak-Fairy
Those embarrassed by the torrent of Wikileaks documents claim the whistle-blowing site is endangering lives. But the threat in this historian's dream trove of information is really to the reputations of politicians and diplomats, and their secretive, opaque, patronising modus operandi
Read MoreIt's the South, stupid... geographical dyslexia Palin-style
Another botched foray into international affairs sees Sarah Palin mistakes North Korea as America's ally. A little 'refudiation' is required just days after Barbara Bush suggested it would be best for the beautiful Sarah to stay in Alaska.
Read MoreJaundiced towards the Junta: what freeing Suu Kyi really means
Burma's military thugs undoubtedly want something in return for releasing perfect hostage Aung San Suu Kyi, but world leaders who have used her fame to preach democracy must now make sure the generals find no reason to re-arrest her
Read MoreRepublicans, be careful what you wish for...
The Republicans may still be in full victory dance mode, but the realities of their new Tea Party compatriots should scare the hell out of them.
Read MoreWhat I learnt from the US mid-terms
In which I absorb the lessons of the mid-terms, am confirmed in my belief that it should have been Madam President, and advertise some good telly
Read More“Fonterra fears cow cubicles could mar brand,” eh?
Fonterra’s been happily ‘feedlot farming’ indoors in China for nearly three years, and raising their calves in cages. Um, so remind me again … what was it they said, last December, about the ‘cubicle’ farms?
Read MoreWould it be OK if God was a Capitalist, then?
In the midst of the most heart-warming story of the year, why must we argue over whom to thank – capitalism or God? Can't we have it both ways?
Read MoreNorway's one-fingered salute to China
The Nobel Peace Prize committee awards this year's prize to a Chinese dissident, and China responds
Read MoreDoes Israel really want peace?
If Israel is serious about peace it would have extended the settlement construction moratorium. Instead it coldly snipped the brake cables on this haggling train wreck leaving it up to everyone else to prevent the derailment, while it sniggers all the way to the digger.
Read MoreFringe crazies with matches are dangerous
In a globalized world the nutters can't be left unchecked if they intend literally inflaming a major portion of humanity by burning their holy book, the Qur'an. The U.S. hierarchy had no choice but to play in Pastor Terry Jones' pyromania pit.
Read MoreMiddle/Muddle East Peace/Piece Talks resume...again
As the players in the latest round of Middle East Peace Talks assemble in Washington later this week, the issues confronting them only seem to have grown in the two years they have been on hold, so are they just going through the motions?
Read MoreGod bless America
Where the F word is not a dirty word, and what a breath of fresh air that is.
Read MoreOf Mosques and Madness and Mid-term Elections
The concept of a mosque a couple of blocks from Ground Zero has unleashed the ugly side of American politics, where those who profess tolerance have none themselves. Instead they have a hefty dose of prejudice, jingoism and stupidity and it is all on display.
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 MorePakistan's politics play on as flood waters rise
It is ridiculous to suggest the sluggish response from the donor-world to Pakistan's utter devastation is not related to that country's terrorism troubles, but does it have a president who can stop hard-line Islamists from winning the hearts and minds?
Read MoreHow can we be there to fight the terrorists when the terrorists have left?
The government says we're in Afghanistan to stop it becoming a safe haven for terrorists. Problem is, the war has changed and that rationale no longer stands up to scrutiny
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 MoreWikiLeaks are no Pentagon Papers
The dauntingly large cache of documents detailing the increasing futility of war in Afghanistan doesn't deliver anything new... but gives cause for concern and puts the heat on the rather dubious ally, Pakistan.
Read More