Latest from Syria

Isis: NZ might join fight

A “domestic beheading” inspired by foreign fanatics is one of several threats New Zealand potentially faces from the so-called Islamic State, John Key said this morning.

Paul Thomas: We ignore the utterances of zealots at our peril

14 killed in protests as Kurds seek help

Kurdish protesters clashed with police in Turkey, leaving at least 14 people dead and scores injured, as demonstrators in Brussels forced their way into the European Parliament, part of Europe-wide....

Editorial: Parliament should decide whether we go to war

If New Zealand decides to send forces to support an international response to the "Islamic State" in Iraq and Syria (Isis), the decision will be made by the Government not Parliament, the Prime Minister has explained.

PM: NZ won't be a target

Any commitment of military assistance to counter Islamic State militants in Iraq should not make NZ more of a target for terrorism, Prime Minister John Key says.

US air strikes fail to stop Isis advancing

Isis is close to capturing the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobane, just a short distance from the Turkish border, after a three-week siege in which US air strikes turned out to be ineffective in preventing the militants from winning an important victory.

Brian Rudman: If Key wants to send troops, here's a better war

The argument that if we don't join the American crusade to wipe out Muslim fanatics in Iraq and Syria, they'll swoop down to Godzone and behead us all is a rerun of the old Vietnam War domino theory....

Isis fight is Govt's decision

PM says any plan to give assistance to efforts against militants will probably be debated in Parliament but the ultimate decision is the Government's alone.

McCully states case for NZ UN seat

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has addressed the United Nations General Assembly, in a bid to secure New Zealand a place on the United Nations Security Council.

Air strikes show shift in US stance on Syria

US: Syrian strikes 'only the beginning'

The US and Arab strikes on militant targets in Syria overnight were "only the beginning" of a coalition effort to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIS militants.

Arab support as US bombers hit IS bases

The United States and five Arab countries launched a new offensive against the fighters of Isis, striking targets in Syria for the first time using cruise missiles, drones and warplanes.

Kiwi jihadist wants to leave Syria

A Kiwi jihadist who has links with al Qaeda and has taken up arms in Syria wants to come home -- but first needs a fresh New Zealand passport after burning his old one

How great is the threat posed by the Islamic State?

US drones hunt Isis leader in Syria

American drones are being flown over the Syrian stronghold of Isis (Islamic State) for the first time, in an effort to target the jihadi group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Prince 'heartbroken' by Christians' fate

The Prince of Wales has written an impassioned letter to Christians in Iraq speaking of his "heartbreak" at their suffering at the hands of Jihadists.

Iraqi soldier 'played dead' to survive

An Iraqi soldier survived a mass execution carried out by Islamic State militants (Isis) by dropping to the floor and pretending to be dead.

British aid worker new Isis target

A Briton will be the next hostage murdered by Islamist terrorists, the British extremist known as "Jihadi John" threatened in a beheading video released yesterday.