All The Monitor's View
California鈥檚 fires as both tragedy and lessonAs strategies toward wildfires have evolved, so has the understanding of how humans can fit into the natural order.
Why did so many young people vote?The unusually high turnout for a midterm election may be driven by better civic education, especially the hands-on kind that instills lifelong activism instead of cynicism and indifference.
Germany's learning curve on immigrationPerhaps the US can learn as Germany鈥檚 leading party holds a sober debate over the topic in picking a replacement for Angela Merkel.
The new Congress can shed old habitsThe midterm election left Capitol Hill more divided than before. Rather than gridlock, lawmakers must try to discern together the ideals that unite Americans.聽聽
Ukraine needs the long arm of the lawDespite the West鈥檚 efforts to curb corruption in this pivotal country, the killing of an anti-corruption activist shows the need for better tools to help Ukrainians achieve clean governance.
Is progress on race still possible?The US midterm election was filled with racial issues, another example to the world of how to confront a difficult topic. At least one country, Tunisia, has decided progress on race is possible.
A record in 鈥榙iversity鈥� of candidatesThe field in the 2018 elections shows progress in backgrounds of candidates but at least one contest for Congress shows that diversity can mean more than race or gender.
Peace waves in East AfricaThe 鈥榣ove can win鈥� diplomacy of Ethiopia鈥檚 new leader has brought startling results in the region, notably in the reunion of South Sudan鈥檚 top two rivals.
Oman鈥檚 guiding hand in a churning MideastA region so in flux needs an honest broker like tiny Oman that can listen and mediate with selfless interest.
Disarming terrorists like the Pittsburgh shooter before they actA decade of efforts to guide terrorists or would-be terrorists away from violence is showing some success, if the approach is based on offering a good alternative.
A different Mexico as a US partner on migrationThe caravan of migrants from Central America poses less of a threat than an opportunity for US-Mexican cooperation.
A better way to view the migrant caravanMissing in the dire depictions of Central American migrants is the steady progress in their countries to deal with a root cause for the exodus.
Political violence and its antidotePipe bombs in the US, politicians killed in South Africa, a candidate stabbed in Brazil. Democracies must find answers to political violence. One country, Kenya, is well down that path.
A soft way to reform global tradeWith China and the US jeopardizing the rulebook for international commerce, a group of 13 鈥榤iddle power鈥� nations tries to mediate reforms for the global trading agency.
Keeping Italy in Europe鈥檚 nestFor the first time, EU leaders rebuked a member state, Italy, for spending profligacy. To solve the crisis and keep the eurozone from failing, both sides need to look at recoveries in nearby economies.
Why a nuclear-arms pact can save EuropeRussia and Trump challenge a 1987 treaty on short-range nuclear-tipped missiles. They need to listen to the person who signed the pact to understand its larger purpose.聽
Identity politics on the ropes in Iraq?In forming a new government, a prime minister-designate tries to take Iraq beyond a quota system for sharing power by religion and ethnicity. Young Iraqis seek a broader identity.
Afghans choose ballots over bombsPopular support for Saturday鈥檚 election reflects the spirit of a post-2001 generation eager for clean, no-Taliban governance.
Helping Saudis be led by truth, not fearThe best response to the disappearance of a Saudi dissident is to invite transparency in the investigation.
To fight corruption, Kenyans study integrityThe country鈥檚 anti-corruption body, alarmed at a rise in bribery, starts a Bible-based campaign to educate people on their role in standing up to corruption.
