All The Monitor's View
Visit a prison, make the world safer?More governors and prosecutors are visiting inmates in prison as part of several initiatives to improve criminal justice. The experience helps create more empathy among those who incarcerate people.
Europe wins a big anti-corruption battleRomania鈥檚 reelection of an anti-graft president reflects the success of both the EU and Romanians to push for honest governance in one of the union鈥檚 most corrupt countries.
Ballots meet batons in Hong KongThe popularity of the pro-democracy protests will be tested in Sunday鈥檚 local district elections, which are about the only real democracy left in the Chinese territory.
In 2019, whistleblowers get their dueGlobal views on whistleblowers got a boost after one in the U.S. made allegations against President Trump. Even Ukraine just passed a law protecting whistleblowers.
Iraq's trailblazing protestersBy the thousands, young Iraqis have created a 鈥渕inistate鈥� in downtown Baghdad that resembles the government they want 鈥� one not based on dividing up power by faith.
A triumph of truth about China鈥檚 detention campsSecret documents from the Communist Party reveal strong party dissent over the repression of an innocent minority. Officials with a conscience are exposing the party鈥檚 fears and tactics.
Why impeachment watchers need a Thanksgiving breakA holiday of gratitude and rejoicing that Lincoln used to bind a broken nation can again heal a people who increasingly see themselves on the edge of civil war.
Saudi Arabia sells an opening to the worldSelling shares in its giant oil company, Aramco, could force a repressive monarchy to be held accountable, not just by investors but by restless, freedom-seeking Saudi youths.
It takes a village to stop mass shootersA new federal focus aims at supporting citizens and communities to keep guns away from troubled individuals. Short of banning guns, local efforts may be the best prevention.
Plucking the hate out of Hong Kong protestsMonths of demonstrations have spiraled down to sheer hatred between protesters and police. The only way up is to listen to those who have conquered such hate.
Latin America's civic awakeningProtesters in Chile and Bolivia have thrown off their reputation for low political participation with mass protests that are bringing basic democratic reform.
The uniting politics of second-chance justiceOklahoma鈥檚 mass commutation reflects a bipartisan spirit of forgiveness that could find a place in American politics.
The motives behind two postwar protestsIn Iraq and Colombia, demonstrators expected more of a 鈥減eace dividend鈥� after the end to recent wars. They know peace is more than an absence of conflict.
The art of listening in Yemen's warA deal between two warring factions, a result of each side heeding the other鈥檚 interests, hints at a path toward peace in what is the world鈥檚 worst humanitarian disaster.
The epic struggle behind Iraq鈥檚 protestsDemonstrators are rejecting Iran鈥檚 influence and, along with it, cleric-based rule. The Middle East will be better off with their assertion of self-governance.
South Africa has a springbok in its stepA World Cup victory by its racially integrated national rugby team was not only inspiring, it set a tone of gratitude for the country鈥檚 progress on race and opportunity.
Sea level rising? Make some new landFor some seacoast cities new property reclaimed from the ocean could be more valuable than the cost of making it.
Celebrating the unlikely champsThe Washington Nationals managed to make winning in the face of almost certain defeat look routine. They entertained and sustained us.
Why we still drop a cardThe internet whisks images and texts around the globe nearly instantaneously. But after 150 years the common postcard still holds its own unique appeal.
Are job skills and an education the same thing?English majors may be in decline, but studying the humanities is still a worthwhile option.
