All The Monitor's View
For Syrian refugees, a legal 鈥� and safe 鈥� route to EuropeTo stem illegal migration by Syrians, the European Union plans to return them to Turkey while accepting the same number legally from refugee camps. Honoring both borders and legal migration may serve as an antidote to the Syrian war.
The challenge of 鈥楤ig Marijuana鈥�Big money is starting to push marijuana legalization in the US, raising alarms that corporate profiteers may promote pot use among teens. A few states are wising up to the large commercial interests peddling a drug with high costs in public safety.
Yes, ICANNThe integrity of the Internet will soon be maintained by a nongovernmental body (ICANN) set up to represent the web鈥檚 many stakeholders. The model of governance reflects the values of the web itself: equality and a mutual regard among users.
The key hope in sanctionsWith Obama going to Cuba, a tighter economic embargo on North Korea, and a partial lifting of sanctions on an improved Iran, now is the time to examine why sanctions often succeed. They rely on a hopeful view of people.
From Timbuktu, a timeless lessonIn a first, a jihadist is charged with a war crime for destroying ancient cultural sites. The case before the International Criminal Court reflects a legal pushback against such destruction and a moral reinforcement to preserve humanity鈥檚 most timeless heritage.
Syria鈥檚 calm before the peaceA temporary truce, brokered by Russia and the US, has brought the first lull in violence in Syria鈥檚 five-year conflict. As it brings some stability and hope, it is also a test of sincerity for coming peace talks.
Peace message in Iran鈥檚 electionDespite a rigged list of candidates, voters in Iran鈥檚 Feb. 26 election found a way to elect relative moderates who seek a less threatening country more open to the world. The vote was a humiliating blow to Iran鈥檚 clerical rule.聽
Advice for a world in search of innovationThe US presidential campaign is raising voter fears about the future more than focusing on what Warren Buffett calls America鈥檚 鈥榮ecret sauce鈥� 鈥� its long history of sustained gains in economic productivity.
Psst! 鈥楶lastics鈥� needs to be reformedOne of the world鈥檚 most successful and versatile materials is also a potential environmental disaster.
Turning politics outside inMoney still corrupts politics but maybe not in the way we think.
Exit the EU? What Britain should be asking.A June referendum on whether Britain should stay in the European Union has focused mainly on the economic impact. A great power with immense 鈥榮oft power鈥� needs to also look at its global contributions.
Endgame for an opiate epidemicWhen US governors met in Washington, their focus was on novel ways to deal with a rise in nonmedical use of prescription opiates. Vermont鈥檚 governor had some answers.聽
Apple court case takes a bite on libertyA court鈥檚 order for Apple to assist the FBI in hacking a terrorist鈥檚 iPhone is about more than security or privacy. It also raises questions about coercing individuals or companies to act on behalf of government.
For the Mideast, an anniversary to rememberThe 25th anniversary of the Gulf War liberated Kuwait from Iraqi rule 鈥� and it helped leave Kuwait as a relatively good counterpoint to the region鈥檚 extremism.
A morality tale in Argentina鈥檚 debt epiphanyA newly elected president is near a deal to end Argentina鈥檚 long debt woes. The country鈥檚 15-year saga provides a lesson for a world awash in red ink.聽
Oil鈥檚 fall may be democracy鈥檚 riseThe biggest oil producers, which are trying to prop up global prices, are also among the last countries to make reforms that will lift them from a 鈥榬esource curse.鈥�
Reclaim civility for the 2016 electionsAs presidential candidates slip toward slurs and shouting, other leaders as well as citizens must preserve the power of civility in public discourse.
Unsung heroes who rescue Syria鈥檚 refugeesAs peace talks falter and the war in Syria escalates, one good constant has been the compassionate welcome and rescue of refugees by common residents in neighboring states. Good examples can be found on Greek islands.
Making the world safe for anti-corruption whistle-blowersA Ukrainian official鈥檚 resignation over corruption prompts an unusually strong response from world bodies. The global campaign against official wrongdoing has made it easier for many people to stand up for honest governance.
Hong Kong鈥檚 lessons in coping with ChinaA Feb. 8 riot and police crackdown in Hong Kong reveals the harsher hand of China but also a dilemma for the territory on how to deal with Beijing鈥檚 fear of dissent. The world must watch how Hong Kong decides.
