John Key has hinted that Trade Minister Tim Groser could take over as New Zealand's ambassador to the United States.

Turkey has now bombed a few IS targets to show willing - but if you look at the videos, the Turkish planes are launching missiles at single buildings out in open fields, writes Gwynne Dyer.

Unless we allow borders to reform naturally this Sunni time bomb will blow unpredictably benefitting ISIS, writes Ron Mark.

To mark Bastille Day and 70 years of diplomatic relations between France and New Zealand, the French ambassador Florence Jeanblanc-Risler looks at the relationship between the two countries.

Those military officers will continue to dominate politics, because 25 per cent of the votes, according to the 2008 constitution, can block any changes to the constitution, writes Gwynne Dyer.

More than half the 57 million young children still not in classrooms today live in countries torn apart by conflict or natural disaster, writes Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg.

This week marks the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior off Marsden Wharf. We take a look back.

We see ISIS as thuggish martyrdom-seeking zealots, but brutal and disgusting though they be, its actions as a fighting force belie any belief they are oafish bandits, writes Ron Mark.

In a speech before a business group, Jeb Bush, expected to announce a run for the US presidency, praised his father George H.W. Bush but failed to mention his brother.

The dirty secret in global diplomacy is that much can and is accomplished through such simple but secret transactions, Fran O'Sullivan writes.

Previous experience has been positive and benefits would outweigh the costs.

In November Prime Minister Key referred to ISIL as a ‘game changer’ for New Zealand. I wasn’t convinced, especially as the government was focusing on the domestic aspect in seeking to justify increased surveillance powers.

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

The things you have to do to keep on side with your oil merchant, writes Brian Rudman. Wouldn't a card and pohutukawa blossoms been enough for the Saudi king?

The toothfish pirates refused NZ permission to board, which we meekly obeyed, then, with fuel running out, we retired while the plundering continued, writes Brian Rudman.

Former National MP Michael Cox says Anzus conflict in 1984 will hurt chances of Helen Clark becoming United Nations secretary general.

Nick Sheppard writes: "Due to factors including nationality, gender and timing, Helen Clark may be the front runner" for the top United Nations post.

John Key and Froncois Hollande joked that during the G20 both countries had beaten host country Australia in rugby league for New Zealand and rugby for the French Les Bleus team.

Fur might be a bit outré in fashion but it is becoming the latest accessory in diplomatic circles as countries try to resolve the world's problems one fluffy animal at a time.

John Key says New Zealand will put a small amount into the Green Climate Fund and expects to set a 2020 target for carbon emission reductions early next year.

Prime Minister John Key's arrival in Brisbane was a lot less low key than for the main players of the G20.

New Zealand is a ‘guest’ at the G20 - a summit of the leaders from the 20th richest, most powerful countries in the world. Key has described it as a chance in a life time.

A baby kiwi got more of a smile out of the German Chancellor than the charm of John Key yesterday, but Angela Merkel left the Prime Minister with far more than a handful of feathers.

It's a rare moment when you have all seven living Australian Prime Ministers together for an awkward family photo.

Police say they sought to remove the bail conditions for the Malaysian diplomat at the centre of a sex case — including an order to surrender his passport — because the conditions were not enforceable under diplomatic immunity.

Hone Harawira says he made a "big mistake" for earlier dismissing the sex assault case involving a Malaysian diplomat as a "big fuss about bugger all".

The woman at the centre of a diplomatic incident and the victim of an alleged attack says Foreign Minister Murray McCully should resign.