All Opinion
Two ways US and Europe can boost their economiesThe US and Europe now have two great opportunities to give their economies a much needed boost. One is to successfully navigate their debt mountains and fiscal cliffs. The other is to finally negotiate a US-EU free trade agreement.
US colleges need affirmative action for conservative professorsAs a devout Democrat, I can't believe I'm saying this, but聽Bill O鈥橰eilly is right.聽Universities should institute affirmative action for conservative professors, so all the professors聽aren't overwhelmingly liberal, as the recent national elections confirmed.
Global ViewpointHow to survive in a tech-driven economyTechnological innovation has made the US economy more productive, but this new economy creates fewer jobs, and wages are suffering. Preparing workers for an era when productivity and employment are no longer linked will be the grand challenge of the next generation.
Egypt and other Arab democracies will not survive without including more womenDespite their sacrifices during the Arab revolutions, Arab women are glaringly absent聽from the new parliaments, constitutional drafting committees, and cabinet appointments 鈥� especially in Egypt. But聽democracy, like revolution, is unsustainable in the Middle East without the inclusion of women.
Beyond the 'fiscal cliff,' America's kids need more 鈥� not less 鈥� government spendingAs the 'fiscal cliff' approaches, John Boehner and other lawmakers should beware of another kind of deficit 鈥� the growing opportunity deficit for low-income US children, already聽present by the time they enter kindergarten.聽Government can help with universal childcare and preschool.
How the US can prevent the use and spread of Syria's chemical weaponsThe conflict in Syria could become even more deadly if Bashar al-Assad uses or loses control of his sizeable arsenal of chemical weapons. The聽international community鈥檚 options to prevent these scenarios are limited, but they do provide a starting point.
Return on American humanitarian aid: They like usFrom Indonesia 鈥� the world's largest Muslim nation 鈥� to Pakistan, recipients of American humanitarian aid improve their opinions of the United States, especially when that aid is targeted at individuals, and not governments.
'Fiscal cliff' or not, tax reform is easier said than doneAs part of any deal on the 'fiscal cliff,' Congress will likely take up comprehensive tax聽reform. That's a worthy goal, but it will involve more political and economic pain than most would like to admit.聽Every line in the tax code has its own constituency and rationale.
How to protect Americans from anti-terrorism data sharingAcross the United States, dozens of 'fusion centers' pool and share information in an effort to prevent another September 11. But these centers have not been effective anti-terrorism tools and have violated Americans' rights. Here's how they can be fixed.
Plan B for raising debt ceiling: Obama should invoke the ConstitutionPresident Obama wisely wants to resolve the looming crises with the debt ceiling and the 'fiscal cliff ' now. If he can't strike a debt-ceiling deal, he has another option: Bring out the Constitution, whose 14th Amendment states that the 'validity' of US debt 'shall not be questioned.'
Obama and Israel are walking away from two-state solution with PalestiniansBy refusing to support the Palestinian bid at the UN, President Obama has essentially endorsed a No State Solution between Israel and Palestine.聽Changing course is possible. A good place to start would be threatening to remove US aid to Israel, given its plans for more settlement building.- Flawed graph weakens case against Iran nuclear programThe Associated Press admits that a graph purporting to show that Iran has run computer simulations for a nuclear weapon is scientifically flawed. This raises serious questions about the quality of other 'evidence' against Iran's nuclear program. Here's a way to proceed.
ICC membership may hurt Palestinians, Hamas more than IsraelMahmoud Abbas鈥檚 successful bid for Palestine at the UN takes Palestinians one step closer to joining the International Criminal Court, where some hope to prosecute Israel.聽But ICC membership may force Palestinians to take responsibility for their own conduct as well.
GOP should moderate social platform to win over fiscally conservative youthThough President Obama won the youth vote, John Boehner and fellow Republicans' message of fiscal responsibility could appeal to younger voters. The GOP needs to recognize that its platform on social issues drastically undercuts its potential fiscal-conservative appeal with my generation.
Threat of chemical warfare in Syria means it's time for US, NATO no-fly zoneThe threat that Bashar al-Assad may use chemical weapons against opposition forces in Syria means it is time for President Obama and America's NATO allies to intervene and establish a no-fly zone. That's a far better option than directly arming the divided rebel forces.
Enrique Pe帽a Nieto's 'economy first' strategy for Mexico would also help USMexico's President Enrique Pe帽a Nieto, who took office on Saturday, wants to put the economy first, which will require addressing the onslaught of the narco mafia in a very different way from his predecessor. This new approach has great potential for Mexico. The US should embrace it.
4 ways to get phone service the next time a hurricane Sandy calls In the aftermath of a disaster such as superstorm Sandy, two-way communication is essential. Here are four ways to better prepare our phones and other devices for the next disaster:
GOP-backed bill is most serious attack on America's Wilderness Act in historyThe Wilderness Act has protected America鈥檚 wild lands for 50 years. It is now under threat by a House bill deceptively called The Sportsmen's Heritage Act. Citizens must demand the US Senate do nothing to advance its devastating provisions.
Fiscal cliff: Republicans on wrong track if they help Obama raise taxes on the richHigher taxes won鈥檛 much improve US finances and would likely wreck the economy. But as fiscal cliff talks intensify, a small group of Republican senators are prepared to help President Obama make the rich pay more 鈥� facts notwithstanding. A better approach: Spur private-sector growth.
Global ViewpointRecep Tayyip Erdogan: Turkey's economy meets EU membership criteriaSince 2002, Turkey's growth strategy, fiscal discipline, and structural reforms have helped it become the world's 16th largest economy. Last year, Turkey's figures for growth, public borrowing, long-term debt, and unemployment were vastly better than Europe鈥檚.
