You probably do not want to hear this but nw defines "government regulation" or "hostilities" as a Force Majeure event.
If they have decided instead that the cancellation is an irregularity you will have a few more options other than a refund of unused portion. They include the following options: Northwest Airlines must confirm you on their next flight on which space is available, in the same or higher class of service at no additional cost.
If this alternate Northwest Airlines flight is not acceptable to you, Northwest must confirm you on the flight of a different airline on which space is available, in the same class of service at no additional cost.
If Northwest Airlines is unable to arrange for alternate transportation acceptable to you, Northwest Airlines must refund your ticket, even if it is “non-refundable”.
It seems that moving the reservation is not an offered option.