All The Monitor's View
An opening for peace in Afghanistan?After a US drone killed the Taliban leader, a new leader emerges whose background suggests he might not oppose peace talks with the Afghan government.聽All countries involved in possible negotiations must pursue this possibility聽鈥� especially Pakistan.
An Islamist party finds a path between extremesThe largest party in Tunisia鈥檚 parliament, Ennahda, declares that it is now a civil party, leaving its Islamic work behind as democracy takes hold under a new Constitution.
When officials try to recover from liesGovernment officials, after being caught in fraud, can also move to prevent such ethical lapses. Here are a few recent examples, from the US to China.
The impressive rise in global teamworkWhen it comes to working together to solve global issues, humanity has lately shown big improvements. Progress in international cooperation can beget progress.
Turning children of war into children of peaceThe surprise recovery of a girl abducted by Boko Haram points to progress in a global focus on children caught up in conflicts, and how to help them embrace their innocence.聽
As droughts expand, so must quenching reformsThe water crisis in many countries should be high on the agenda at the World Humanitarian Summit. But so should success stories in water resiliency.
Has Brazil begun a moral reckoning?A corruption scandal has rolled over Brazilian society, claiming a president and putting many in jail. Now one big culprit, a construction firm, appears to be contrite. Will its 鈥榮incere鈥� apology trigger a moral catharsis?
The court鈥檚 restraint in church-contraceptive caseThe Supreme Court wisely avoids ruling directly in an apparent clash of religious liberty and access to contraceptives, citing a path for compromise.
A tale of how to open one鈥檚 arms to refugeesWhen Alberta鈥檚 huge wildfire forced 80,000 to flee, one nearby town did not let fear of strangers hinder their compassion for the refugees. It is a lesson for a world dealing with mass migration.
The inner dimensions of global corruptionAs more money from corruption flows across borders 鈥� raising popular anger 鈥� global solutions are needed. But which solutions will strike at the heart of corruption?
Pot legalization鈥檚 sobriety testVermont wisely votes down pot legalization. One big reason: the record of highway risks from drugged drivers in Colorado and Washington State. Legalization should not create a problem while trying to solve one.
Obama鈥檚 visits to Hiroshima and VietnamThe history that hangs over the US president鈥檚 visits must be transformed into a moral sense and a forward-looking purpose.
Obama鈥檚 best legacy on raceIn what may be his parting speech as president on race relations, President Obama focused on a theme common in his previous talks: the need to acknowledge racial progress already made in America.
London鈥檚 bridge to European MuslimsThe election of a Muslim as London鈥檚 mayor, along with other examples of respect for religious differences, helps counter an anti-Islam narrative in Europe.
Why US must help kids be free of vapingThe new FDA regulations on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors is only a step toward raising a generation free of nicotine addiction.
The unconventional 2016 presidential raceDespite all its hand-wringing surprises, the contest has shown how democracy breeds innovation in ideas and people.聽聽
A model to stem mass migration?In just a few weeks, an EU-Turkey pact has led to a big decline in the flow of migrants into Greece. Its mix of compassion and legality could be a model for similar agreements.
Why prayer appeals to AmericansIn time for National Prayer Day, a study finds not only widespread reliance on prayer for healing but also the main predictor of prayer. (Hint: It has something to do with God鈥檚 love.)
The real war against Islamic StateThe political turmoil in Iraq鈥檚 government reflects the struggle to counter Islamic State鈥檚 notion of clerical rule with democratic ideals of equality between all individuals.
Identity and the new 鈥榞lobal citizen鈥�As more people identify as 鈥榞lobal citizens,鈥� the term needs an anchor in individual identity.聽
