Pacific Outlier

In recent weeks there has been a flurry of reports detailing the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Yemen. In his 19th August report to the Security Council on the situation in the country, the UN’s Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Stephen O’Brien, described the ‘scale of human suffering’ as ‘almost incomprehensible’, with ‘four out of five Yemenis … Continue reading Jeremy Moses | Who is responsible for protecting civilians in Yemen?

The Prime Minister has failed to respond to widespread concerns over New Zealand’s inaction on refugees. For more than a year, Key has claimed that now is not the time to increase our annual quota of 750 places because it has been in place for almost 30 years. Now he’s scrambling for a way to … Continue reading Murdoch Stephens | National’s refugee policies exclude most needy

From Political Marketing to Magna Carta – and back: Finding connections between an 800 year old document and modern politics I am an expert in political marketing – how politicians, parties and politicians use business techniques and concepts to win elections, achieve change and maintain power. It’s a fast moving, rapidly developing area of practice … Continue reading Jennifer Lees-Marshment | From Political Marketing to Magna Carta – and back

After one year of American-lead intervention against Daesh in Iraq, the terrorist group does not show any sign of weakening. It is hard to believe however that, despite their wealth, international support, fanaticism and good organisation, a territorially located terrorist organisation could resist the genuine military campaign of a broad coalition of forces involving the … Continue reading Nicolas Pirsoul | Is the “Islamic State” meant to stay?

Originally posted on THE CO-OP:
By Nicholas Ross Smith (University of Auckland) I unashamedly admit that I did not vote in last year’s election, even though it’s meant having to put up with tedious carping from friends who believe that voting is essential to “having a say”. The main reason I passed on my right… Continue reading Nicholas Ross Smith | We need to re-emphasise the “demos” in Democracy: Making a case for sortition in New Zealand

The recent terrorist attacks in Kuwait, Tunisia and France were horrific. A bomb set among worshippers, the shooting of beach-goers followed by a decapitation near Lyon: one condemns such atrocities and, hopes that, where possible, the perpetrators are brought to justice. Let’s be clear. Those who commit atrocities deserve to face justice. But we cannot … Continue reading Stephen Winter | Stripping the Citizen

Recently, Milo changed its formulation by removing an artificial flavor, causing outrage to some consumers who expressed their anger through the Milo’s Facebook page.  Nestlé external relations manager Margaret Stuart mentioned that this formula change is happening globally due to research done into the nutritional needs of children.  Apparently, this Nestlé strategic move was an … Continue reading Yadira Ixchel Martinez Pantoja | The displacement of government by food companies in response to public health issues

The recent news that up to 8,000 refugees were adrift in the Andaman Sea momentarily highlighted the plight of one of the most vulnerable peoples in the world. Most are Rohingya, a Muslim minority from Myanmar (also known as Burma) fleeing violent persecution by nationalist and Buddhist extremists. Ordinarily, such issues receive almost no attention … Continue reading Chris Wilson | Kiwi compassion in an age of mass killing and displacement