The end of January saw the annual pilgrimage of an average of forty or so protesting citizens to the Waihopai spy base. Their protest is organised by long-term activist Murray Horton of the Anti-Bases Campaign. The remote, eavesdropping centre displays its elegant puffballs among the Marlborough vineyards – just ten kilometers from where this newsletter […]
Author Archives: Hugh
As the world bade farewell (or ill) to Trump it welcomed Biden as the new POTUS. Two days later, the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) came into force. There is no doubt that in popular perception Biden, with his prominent dentures, intends to present a more acceptable public face to American policy. […]
“Generally speaking, would you say things in this country are heading in the right direction, or are they off on the wrong track?“ China, in contrast to members of the western alliance, has dropped no bombs on anyone. Nevertheless, it is persistently maligned by the western alliance, which has dropped bombs on multiple nations. Through […]
Drones Scottish Style Scottish Hogmanay celebration 5 minutes of brilliant viewing. The start of a new year and a new government. Unprecedented threats hover over New Zealand. At the T-junction, will the government opt for caution, or risk bold initiatives? Choices 8 minute read Global Governance NZ No 4 The ten countries most advanced in achieving […]
Paddle Now Newsletter No.30. Leadership 3 minute read. Why are we surprised that the dogs of war, trained to commit acts of violence, having been unlashed, behaved like dogs. Though no doubt, the dogs will be duly punished, justice will not be done. Their rampage is not the fault of the dogs themselves, but of their […]
Given that all the recipients of this newsletter either have, or should have a keen interest in NZ external affairs, the position of Foreign Minister in the new government is of particular interest. Immediately on her taking up her new appointment, Nanaia Mahuta was dealt a more that tricky ball by our gallant allies in […]
Palestinians having to bend over backwards to assert their rights It is too early to be saying much about the new government’s approach to foreign affairs. We have to hope that it will progress beyond its predecessor’s reliance on NZ First. It needs to be more directed towards pro-active diplomacy for global peace and cooperation […]
A letter to Checkpoint from Bob Rigg, a former OPCW official retired to Wellington. I doubt there will be a reply. “Why did the NZ police pick on a tiny group of elderly humanitarian activists who had offended the US by sending the princely sum of $2000 to North Korea? The answer: although the US […]
The recent UN summit of world leaders showed a world in total disarray. The Western ‘rules based system,’ based on social inequality, is now in open conflict (war by other means) with a Chinese communalist alternative that is challenging its economic and political supremacy. The Americans use the term ‘ communist’ as a pejorative instrument […]
Newsletter 25 Trump in Paradise, Calif. The recipients of this newsletter are NZ activist groups that are reliant on multilateral cooperation if they are to achieve their aims. The main aim of the newsletter therefore, is to spread information about global developments. New Zealand’s interaction with such matters is largely dependent on whichever government is […]