All The Monitor's View
Alabama can lead by rejecting a lotteryAs one of the few states without a lottery, Alabama may soon vote to start one as a revenue fix for a fiscal fiasco. Yet national data show lotteries are a tax on the poor. States can鈥檛 rely on faith in luck when they must invest in talent.
Britain鈥檚 answer to angry votersAs in the US election campaign, British voters showed their dislike of globalization in opting out of the European Union. Now a new prime minister seeks to restore trust in globalization鈥檚 prime agents: corporations.
A Norway gift that would move mountainsTo honor Finland鈥檚 independence anniversary, Norway may give it a mountain peak along their border. The gift, while a small gesture, symbolizes a kind of peace that may keep land-grabbing bully nations at bay.聽
The Fed鈥檚 search for breakout growthAmerica鈥檚 central bank, like other big financial institutions, seeks fresh ideas to end the 鈥榥ew normal鈥� of mediocre economic growth. Breaking up old models is a good first step.
Islamic State鈥檚 failing 鈥榳ar of religion鈥�After Islamic State claimed credit for the killing of a French Catholic priest, leaders of major faiths gathered to counter this attempt to incite Muslims and 海角大神s against each other. Peace is the norm between religions.
Mercy for the corrupt who come clean?The US and Tunisia are each testing whether leniency toward individuals or businesses that are open about their corruption might lead to less corruption. Confession can be a shorter path to reconciliation.
Germany's response to mass violenceFour recent attacks on the public, some with links to Islamic State, have raised fears but also calls not to allow fear to create an overreaction.
A bright spot in a dull global economyAs major economies falter, India takes the lead with the world鈥檚 fastest growth. It can lure investors with its relative peace and certainty.
Africa鈥檚 step to be a continent of peaceWith its decision to intervene militarily in South Sudan鈥檚 conflict, the African Union shows it may yet live up to its goal of creating a continent of peace by 2020.
The exhausted American voter: Ready for a change?With a polarization perhaps at a peak in politics, Americans may be fed up 鈥� not just with 鈥榯he system鈥� but their own acrimony. Hitting bottom in political fatigue may have its benefits.
Why Melania Trump may have liked Michelle Obama鈥檚 speechMs. Trump鈥檚 near-repetition of the first lady鈥檚 words suggests the two agree on an approach to education that views children in a whole new light.
How Turkey鈥檚 failed coup was democracy鈥檚 successThe forces for democracy, both within Turkey and worldwide, stood up to the military plotters. A global infrastructure for freedom makes its harder for would-be strongmen to succeed.
The Nice attack: The Internet as instigatorAs more terrorist attacks appear inspired by the Islamic State鈥檚 appeal over social media, the struggle must move to the Internet, and winning the high moral ground with alternative narratives.
The rush to curb a heroin/opioid crisisCongress, in rare bipartisanship, passes a law that will help support the many local efforts to end a heroin 鈥榚pidemic鈥� and a prescription opioid crisis. Still left undone: a consensus on whether addiction is a 鈥榙isease.鈥�
Rio Games as test of Olympics' purposeBrazil is experiencing turmoil even as it prepares to host the 2016 Summer Games. Will it be able to fulfill one of the goals of the modern Olympics: promoting peace?
A ruling tells China why no country is an islandFor the first time, an international tribunal rules against China and its claim on the territory of another country. The decision is the basis for other countries to question China鈥檚 denial of universal values, especially those needed for world order.
Can Britain鈥檚 new leader be a mender?After the country鈥檚 vote to leave the EU, and a leadership battle within the Conservative party, Theresa May might bring the right talents to heal Britain鈥檚 big divisions.
The vigilance needed after DallasOne of Dallas's first official actions after the shooting of police was a prayer vigil in the city鈥檚 Thanks-Giving Square. Such prayer is not an evasion of solutions but a solvent for healing and community renewal.
How to enjoy a corruption-free dayAs more countries turn to mass street protests to fight corruption, the people of Zimbabwe try a one-day boycott of all public activity. They tapped the power of nonconformity to send a message about the need for clean governance.
Muslim reaction to the Medina bombingEven violent jihadists condemned an attack in Medina, one of Islam鈥檚 most sacred cities. The reaction shows the limits of justifying violence in the name of purifying a religion of alleged apostates.聽
