All The Monitor's View
A quiet revolution in Venezuela鈥檚 regimeA prosecutor who put away Venezuela鈥檚 most popular opposition figure has come clean on his role in the sham trial. His defection might turn a key election and be a model for those working in any authoritarian regime.
Romania鈥檚 turn at cleaning up governmentReflecting a global trend in anti-corruption protests, Romanians oust a prime minister, demonstrating an embrace of equality before the law.
China鈥檚 handshake with Taiwan: A dragon lies down with a lambA historic summit between the presidents of Taiwan and China may be Beijing鈥檚 recognition that the Taiwanese prefer civic principles like freedom over ethnic or cultural ties.
A Japan-South Korea healing momentAn unexpected summit on Monday suggests each country is ready to resolve issues about the past in order to deal with current challenges in Asia together.
Anchors for rule of law on the high seasTwo actions in October may push Beijing to accept universal rules in maritime law: a UN court鈥檚 decision favoring the Philippines鈥� claim to islets taken by China and the transit of a US warship near a reef built up by the Chinese.
Ryan expressed: the new US Speaker's healing wordsIn his inaugural speech as Speaker of the US House, Rep. Paul Ryan reminds legislators and all Americans what it takes to bring about 鈥榖oundless ... good.鈥�
In Turkey vote, a window on common identityA Nov. 1 election may confirm a trend seen in a June vote that Turkey may be joining those democracies finding unity on civic values. Will membership in the European Union follow?
An exemplary way to defeat Islamic StateThe war on Islamic State may not be won with military might or theological arguments but by providing role models for young Muslims seeking purpose and belonging. This would dry up the group鈥檚 recruitment stream.
Indonesia鈥檚 promised 鈥榤ental revolution鈥� for honest governanceOne year into Joko Widodo鈥檚 presidency, his campaign hope for Indonesians to think differently about corruption needs help 鈥� from the people.
China鈥檚 reach for sage adviceAs the Communist Party launches its next five-year economic plan, it also seeks ancient Chinese virtues to restore morality in the party and society. In a new book, a leading ethicist explains what the party should do.
Of democracy saviors and the peopleA critical Nov. 8 election in Myanmar will provide a lesson for the world: that hopes for democracy should not be tied to one person (Aung San Suu Kyi) but should be embedded in the people and their demands for basic rights.
California鈥檚 useful model in water thriftAs global talks heat up on a climate-change pact, models are needed on collective action to deal with environmental problems. California鈥檚 response to a record drought may be one.
Welcome the 鈥榞ift economy鈥�The sharing economy, driven by commercial platforms such as Uber, has also spurred new forms of charitable giving and free giveaways. A new mix of charity, consumption, and community defines its own economy.
How Canada can help save democracyThe Liberals under Justin Trudeau won the Oct. 19 election by promising inclusive, respectful politics. With many democracies engaging in fear-mongering campaigns, Canada could set a model for a return to deliberative governance.
Why one Arab nation acts as peacemakerThe way Algeria ended its violent civil war helps it act as a broker today in other conflicts, teaching that political solutions can quell terrorism.
Why the US will stay in an 鈥榚ndless war鈥�For President Obama, supporting US interests in Afghanistan trumped keeping a campaign promise to leave.
Who killed the electric car? No one.Despite low gas prices, world automakers from Toyota to VW are moving ahead on nonpolluting vehicles.
The difficulty with dronesTargeted killings are already an ethical tangle. And 鈥渟warming,鈥� laser, and 鈥渧ampire鈥� drones are on the way.
Outlook brightens for a new generation of women at workA worldwide poll finds challenges from wage inequality to harassment. But it sees changes, too.
The Peace Prize鈥檚 lesson for civil societyThe Nobel Peace Prize went to four groups in Tunisia that prevented violence by mediating a political crisis with a message about individual dignity and equality.
