All The Monitor's View
Arab Spring's second revolutionTunisia, home to the Arab world's first successful uprising against a dictator, erupted this week with a battle between radical Islamists and the moderate Islamic party that dominates government. A second revolution, one within Islam that can reconcile it with democracy, will again help the Middle East.
G20 summit can help Greece by looking at host MexicoMexico's own recovery from a currency crisis has enabled it to play host to this year's G20 summit. What lessons can eurozone countries draw from that?
Egypt elections: How to reverse the military power grabJust after the Egypt elections for president ended, the military announced sweeping powers for itself. This hubris of superiority runs against the historic tide of democracy 鈥� which includes civilian control of the military.
Aung San Suu Kyi brings timely message for Europe 鈥� and EgyptIn her trip to Europe, Aung San Suu Kyi shares lessons learned in Burma (Myanmar) on how one's inner freedom can overcome despair. That's timely, especially for Greece as well as Egypt, as 'The Lady' also picks up her Nobel Peace Prize.
What's missing in Romney, Obama speeches on the economyThe dueling speeches on the economy by Obama and Romney simply offered national solutions. Yet so many cities and states are on a strong comeback. How can the jobless join that success?
Lessons in risk for JPMorgan Chase chiefJPMorgan Chase bank chief Jamie Dimon explained his bank's $2 billion trading loss to Congress, revealing a lesson in not being complacent about risk management 鈥� a difficult task in a complex world of diffuse risks.
Russia protests keep democracy dream aliveThe Russia protests on Tuesday tell Putin that the popular hopes for democracy are alive and kicking. His subtle suppression of dissent only hurts Russia's opportunity to modernize its economy.
Just kiddingToday's American politics needs the mix of humor and civility heard on NPR's soon-to-end "Car Talk." Mass culture that includes self-deprecatory jokes and a friendly tone can influence the nation's political discourse.
A big step toward 'designer babies' 鈥� and big questionsResearchers have achieved the first mapping of a fetus's DNA. The breakthrough opens the potential to choose a child's characteristics. Such power, however, should also force questions about 'playing God.'
World eco-summit in Rio must come down to earthThe June 20-22 UN sustainable development conference in Rio, 20 years after the first Earth Summit, comes with the latest grave warnings for the planet. Does alarmist rhetoric still work to alter consumer behavior toward the environment?
Wisconsin recall election as a wake-up callThe Wisconsin recall election for Gov. Scott Walker turned out not to be as partisan as expected. This fits a national trend in bipartisan reform of benefits for state and local workers.
Euro crisis can build European identityWhen European Union leaders meet in late June, they will weigh ideas that point to more political unity as a way to stem the euro crisis. Will Europeans give up more national sovereignty?
Cyberattacks challenge ideas of war 鈥� and peaceIf the US, China, and others adopt hidden methods of aggression like cyberwarfare, the nature of conflict will change rapidly. So, too, must peacemaking.
Diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth IIAs Britain celebrates the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth's 1952 ascension to the throne, it can also assess her legacy in balancing the monarch's duty as 'supreme governor' of the Church of England with being head of state.
Ban on sex-selection abortions? Change attitudes toward girls instead.A GOP bill up for a vote in the House would ban sex-selective abortions, most of which abort females. Such laws are far less effective than changing public thinking about the value of girls and women to families and society.
Righting wrongs in China depends on rightsDissident Chen Guangcheng is speaking out about the need for rule of law in China. But the party is slowly accepting individual rights. And studies show those few rights are yielding positive results.
Egypt elections: a test of hard-won civic valuesThe final round of Egypt's presidential elections has two candidates who must appeal more broadly to Egyptian demands for equality and freedom. Both candidates need to compromise with pro-democracy groups.
Syria massacre: a moment of truth to end the liesThe massacre of women and children in Houla, Syria, finally forces Russia to stop defending the denials of Bashar al-Assad in the killing of innocent civilians by Syrian forces.
Message from Google chief: Have a heart 鈥� turn off this screenGoogle chief Eric Schmidt suggests young people drop their screen time for some real conversation, heart to heart. Being better connected digitally isn't the best way to develop social skills.
Obama and the contraception mandateThe Obama administration plans to exempt only certain types of religious institutions from the health-care law's mandate for coverage of birth control. But in doing so, it redefines religion, which not only steps on a basic liberty but a basic understanding of religion's role in society.
