All The Monitor's View
Can the Supreme Court define political communities?A court case on partisan gerrymandering will test if the justices want the courts, rather than voters, to define the identity of voting districts.
The real lights of Vegas must shine onThose tales of poise, sacrifice, and compassion after the Oct. 1 shooting are a necessary antidote. Americans must not mirror the evil motives behind mass violence.
The start-ups in an upstart US economyThe US rose in a global ranking on competitiveness, in part because its innovation 鈥榚cosystem鈥� lessens fears for entrepreneurs.
A different approach to curbing atrocitiesThe UN focus on Myanmar鈥檚 atrocities toward the Rohingya may need a new approach, one that speaks to the 鈥榦rdinary virtues鈥� of the country鈥檚 majority.
Saudi Arabia hands women the keysAllowing women to drive cars signals the kingdom鈥檚 wider desire for an innovative, knowledge-based economy. Placing limits on women is not the road to such a goal.
An artistic lift after disastersPerformers and other artists rose to the occasion after recent hurricanes and other recent tragedies. The arts can play a crucial role in healing a community of fear and trauma.
Why elections in Europe spring a surpriseGermany follows France in holding an election in which voters showed a new independence from the main parties and seem to seek a different political identity.
Why the Supreme Court is rarely in the dockA new poll suggests why Americans put more trust in the high court than in the other branches. Even as the justices take on difficult cases, their role is seen as essential in applying the highest ideals to individuals and society.
Aid to North Koreans? The idea has roots.South Korea鈥檚 offer of humanitarian aid to North Korean children and pregnant women, despite the North鈥檚 military threats, fits a trend to protect the innocent even in the midst of a conflict.
Lessons in identity from Kurds and CatalansComing votes for independence in Kurdish Iraq and Spain鈥檚 Catalonia represent a challenge of shifting identity in the 21st century. Both peoples must be careful in defining a new collective 鈥榮elf.鈥�
The awards and rewards of grasping infinityTwo mathematicians who made a breakthrough in understanding infinity were recently given a medal. Their work itself reflects an unbounded progress in explanations of reality.
Apple thinks different 鈥� and the same 鈥� about the 鈥榯own square鈥�The company plans to turn its stores into community centers (while still selling Apple products) in yet another sign of how much the Digital Age creates new groupings even as it feeds a natural desire for connection and shared destiny.
What to think of North Korea on Peace DayOne reason the United Nations is so focused on preventive diplomacy regarding North Korea is a growing emphasis on 鈥榩ositive drivers鈥� of peace. One example is the widening celebration of International Peace Day.
EU advice for nations with big visionsA leader of the European Union reflects on the need for values as other parts of the world try to link up Asia into EU-style unions.
The West鈥檚 learning curve on Russian election meddlingAfter seeing Russian attempts to influence the US and French vote, Germany has learned to firmly protect the integrity of its democracy before a Sept. 24 vote.
Getting up close with the criminal justice systemA bipartisan group of state officials has started to visit prisons, meet crime victims, and engage with the criminal justice system. The goal: bring better reform to a broken system by understanding it more closely.
Redirecting Myanmar鈥檚 dominant faith to peaceThe military鈥檚 persecution of minority Muslims comes out of fears among many Buddhists for their religion. Aung San Suu Kyi can help relieve those fears with a higher moral narrative.
How one hurricane left a lesson in gratitudeAs the East Coast hunkers down for Irma, Vermont鈥檚 post-hurricane experience in 2011 provides an opportunity to learn the power of appreciation for a community鈥檚 spirit and its resiliency.
When combatants turn democratsThis month, Colombia鈥檚 former guerrilla group called FARC transformed itself into a peaceful political party, perhaps setting a model of reconciliation for other countries in armed conflict.
A Kenyan court lifts a lamp of integrity for AfricaNever before has a court in Africa annulled the election of a sitting president, yet Kenya鈥檚 justices did just that last week, adding to other successes on the continent in adopting democratic ideals.
