Latest from United Nations

John Armstrong: Where US goes, Key follows - on his own

Every political party laid claim to the moral high ground in the argument over sending a team of army training personnel to Iraq, John Armstrong writes.

Fran O'Sullivan: John Key doing right thing in Iraq

Modern warfare is vastly different today. Those going to Iraq will not be in the frontline - at least not yet, Fran O'Sullivan writes.

Terence O'Brien: Iraq mission case of misguided foreign policy

The decision to commit NZ military contingent to Iraq is a case of misguided foreign policy.

Robert G Patman: 'Behind the wire'

Edmund Burke once said political decisions often involve a choice between intolerable and disagreeable options.

McCully calls for UN to reform standing

Foreign Minister Murray McCully told the UN Security Council that its future credibility and effectiveness depended on its permanent members making progress on reform.

New Zealand's UN rep to be replaced

Jim McLay, New Zealand's representative at the United Nations in New York, will be replaced in May by career diplomat Gerard van Bohemen after Mr McLay's second term ends, Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced.

Ebola nurses meet Clark in stricken nation

A team of Kiwi nurses working as part of the international Red Cross Ebola response team in Sierra Leone got to meet Helen Clark this week.

Ukraine: 'Get tough on Russia'

Ukraine has appealed to the West to get tough on Russia after separatists it says are militarily backed by Moscow stormed a flashpoint town.

'Last chance' for emissions treaty uphill battle

192 nations have pledged to agree a global treaty at a two-week negotiating marathon in Paris at the end of 2015 - the most ambitious political task in history.

NZ primed for Security Council role

NZ's UN Ambassador Jim McLay says there are heavy expectations on New Zealand's shoulders when it takes Security Council seat.

War ends but the battle goes on

The war is officially over, victory secured. And Afghanistan, once again, has been rebuilt. But for many, life in the restive provinces is much as it ever was.

Coups save face for Obama

Assumptions that President Barack Obama was a lame duck, counting down his last quarter after Republicans seized Congress, were confounded by several White House coups.

Control over anti-pirate weapon ships urgently needed, agency warns

Sony's very own ransom thriller

This week, as The Interview's December 25 US release date loomed, the Guardians of Peace threatened "the world will be full of fear", hinting at a 9/11-style attack.

World's deadliest route revealed

The UN's refugee agency has revealed "the most lethal route in the world" after a record number of deaths.

CIA torture report may spark violence

US embassies have been told to prepare for violent protests ahead of a report into the CIA's use of torture.