All The Monitor's View
The key lesson for picking a new FBI chiefPresident Trump鈥檚 firing of FBI chief James Comey has touched a deep desire to restore rule of law. That desire for universal principles of justice must now guide the president and Senate in selecting a new FBI chief.
South Korea鈥檚 vote for a new business cultureThe victory for Moon Jae-in as president could be a victory over the notion of hereditary succession in Korea鈥檚 giant conglomerates.
Liberating students from a drinking cultureThe indictment of a Penn State fraternity after a student鈥檚 death from drinking should stir colleges to reframe the issue of alcohol use. Strong messaging and enforcement may not be enough. Students may respond less to fear and more to fulfilling opportunities.
France鈥檚 new president: a mender of trust in EuropeThe voter mandate for Emmanuel Macron places faith in fixing France as well as the torn identity of the European Union.
When conscience, not guns, decides a democracyAs Venezuela鈥檚 peaceful protests grow, its security forces may be hard-pressed to use violence. With cracks appearing in the Maduro regime, soldiers or police may determine the country鈥檚 democratic future.聽
Applause that drowns out hate speechBoston baseball fans countered an expression of hate toward a black ballplayer with an act of love 鈥� a standing ovation. Ending racial discrimination requires communities to be 鈥榥ormal.鈥櫬�
Talk with North Korea? Recent precedents help.President Trump鈥檚 hope for talks with North Korea could be based on recent cases of other adversaries that shifted away from violence and threats.
How Congress can be productiveA theme in Washington鈥檚 debates is the need to boost economic productivity. But first Congress must be more efficient itself in agreeing on policies to do just that.
A rise in critical skills for sharing news onlineAs more people rely on social media for news, they also show signs of greater skill in media literacy 鈥� and more responsibility in not passing along fake news.
Can Colombia鈥檚 peace help Venezuela鈥檚 conflict?As a peace deal helps end a long war in Colombia, Venezuela is descending into violence. What can Colombia teach its neighbor about healing and reconciliation?
Hear this, oh those who listenHecklers who aim to silence campus speakers or elected leaders, sometimes with violence, must not erode a democracy鈥檚 commitment to consider a diversity of views in public forums.
Trump鈥檚 possible logic on North KoreaMore than any other foreign security issue, President Trump is engaged in solving the North Korean nuclear threat. One possible reason: to prevent nonnuclear nations like Japan from going nuclear. The moral logic of nonproliferation demands a US role.
Israeli president鈥檚 advice on Holocaust remembrancePresident Reuven Rivlin used this year鈥檚 Holocaust Remembrance Day to reflect on how Israeli society can apply the Shoah鈥檚 lessons for peace.
A Mideast rivalry worth watchingIran and Saudi Arabia now have reformist leaders bent on granting certain liberties that appeal to young people. That sort of contest of ideas is far better than their violent rivalry in regional conflicts.
How to make natural calamities 鈥榙ull鈥�Natural disasters like the current drought in Somalia need not evoke a frantic global reaction. By pooling their risks in regionwide insurance schemes, more countries are better prepared to quickly respond to disaster.
Why North Korea may be a threat to itselfA survey of refugees reveals a large underground economy in North Korea that runs on US dollars 鈥� and rising corruption. Perhaps the US needs patience as the regime rots from within.
A borderless world in curbing corruptionMore countries now allow outside influence in battling corruption. Latest example: Ukraine agrees to set up an anti-corruption court as a condition of aid. A bill in the US Senate would greatly expand this global drive against graft.
Turkey鈥檚 potential shift on mosque and stateA referendum result will likely give strong powers to a president who founded the governing Islamist party. As long as its democracy is preserved, Turkey may find a new balance between Islam and secular rule.
When artists are on the frontlines 鈥� of peaceFrom South Korea to Colombia, many performers and other artists play a unique role in creating a receptivity toward peace and in healing the trauma of conflict. Their works can open a dialogue for trust, even amid war.
Next up in curbing corruption: South AfricaLarge protests against corruption could help force President Zuma to resign. South Africa, like many large emerging economies, faces a rising demand for honesty and accountability.
