Syria
Sitting on a sensational story for safety’s sake
For five years our news media kept the story of kidnapped nurse Louisa Akavi under wraps and this week they won praise for putting her safety ahead of a scoop. But the last time this happened, the… Audio
Fate of NZ nurse kidnapped in Syria still unknown
The fate of Louisa Ahkavi kidnapped in Syria during her 17th mission, remains unknown - weeks after victory was declared against the violent militant organisation. RNZ political journalist Jo Moir… Audio
Kiwi kidnapped in Syria last seen in 2018 - NY Times journo
The New York Times journalist covering the kidnapping of New Zealand nurse Louisa Akavai says her medical skills have been useful to Islamic State, and the hope is that they have kept her alive… Video, Audio
The search for Louisa Akavi: ICRC breaks its silence
While the fate of Red Cross nurse Louisa Akavi remains unknown five years after she was abducted in Syria, her family, the Red Cross and the New Zealand government say they have not given up hope… Video, Audio
Fears grow for New Zealand nurse kidnapped in Syria in 2013
The kidnapping of a New Zealand nurse has been kept under wraps for years, now RNZ can reveal her story. Video
Doctors saving lives and risking death in war zones
David Nott is a British surgeon, usually based in London, but he spends time every year volunteering to tend to the wounded in some of the world's most dangerous war zones. He has written about his 25… Audio, Gallery
Islamic State fighter wants to return to Italy, warns of 'sleeper cells'
An Islamic State fighter detained in Syria has urged Italy to let him come home, saying he had abandoned the self-styled jihadist "caliphate" after growing disillusioned with its rulers.
Mubin Shaikh: Mark Taylor is at the "most extreme level of risk assessment"
Mubin Shaikh is a reformed Taliban sympathiser. He explains why he believes New Zealand jihadi Mark Taylor is still extremely dangerous. Audio
Islamic State group in Syria: Final assault on jihadists 'begins'
The last pocket of IS forces in Syria are under attack in a two-pronged assault and taking fire from heavy weaponry.
Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syria - military
Israel says it has conducted the strikes - but Syrian media says it repelled an Israeli attack.
Five composers from four countries go with the flow for new album
Flow - a new album for string quartet - is a project to link composers from four countries in a joint musical statement on the Taoist / Buddhist theme of ‘flow’. Audio
The Syrian crisis through a child's eyes
'Home' is collection of drawings by Syrian children, curated by prize winning Australian artist Ben Quilty. The drawings are simple but honest accounts of a brutal civil war from the perspective of… Audio, Gallery
Middle East wrap, protests in Iran and Iraq
Sebastian Usher reports on the protests in Iraq and Iran, the Syrian war and reform in Saudi Arabia. Audio
Israel evacuates Syrian White Helmets
Israel says it has carried out an evacuation of members of Syria's White Helmets civil defence group from a war zone in south-western Syria.
Tim McCormack - International humanitarian law expert
Professor Tim McCormack is in New Zealand as the New Zealand Law Foundation's 2018 Distinguished Visiting Fellow. He is Dean of the University of Tasmania Law School and a Professorial Fellow at the… Audio
Investigating civilian casualties in war
Gaining access into Syria to accurately report war crimes and civilian casualties has long been a huge challenge for the UN. Marc Garlasco was one of the investigators responsible for gathering that… Audio
Iran condemns wave of Israeli air strikes in Syria
Iran has backed Syria's "right to defend itself" after Israel launched strikes on what it said was Iranian military infrastructure inside Syria.
Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syria after rocket fire
Israel says it has struck almost all of Iran's military infrastructure inside Syria in its biggest assault since the start of the civil war there.
Chemical weapons inspectors back from Syria - source
Chemical weapons inspectors have returned from a mission to the Syrian town of Douma, where they took samples and interviewed witnesses to determine whether banned munitions were used in an attack…
Syrian refugee living in Kuala Lumpur Airport
Hassan Kontar has spent the last 59 days at a Malaysian airport terminal, after airline staff denied him access to a flight to Ecuador. He can't go home, and Malaysia won't let him back in. He spoke… Video, Audio