All The Monitor's View
The election鈥檚 鈥榩ink wave鈥� that is driving equalityWomen are being nominated for office in record numbers this year, perhaps revealing how views on gender are shifting.
A cold-war anniversary that still warms the heartFifty years after Moscow ended the Prague Spring by force, the world continues to benefit from the lesson of truth-telling that was spawned by that historic event.
An alignment for peace in AfghanistanCombat continues in America鈥檚 longest war, but recent moves toward negotiations reveal changes may be afoot in the Taliban and other players.
The qualities of mediating a US-Iran settlementAs it has done before, the tiny sultanate of Oman may act as a neutral party for Iran and the US to negotiate a stand-down. It brings special mediating skills rooted in a commandment found in the three Abrahamic faiths.
Paving Mexico鈥檚 road to reconciliationIn preparing to take office Dec. 1, the president-elect is on a listening tour, soliciting and offering ideas on ways to stem rising violence. The boldest idea would balance mercy and justice for criminals, with a special focus on victims and truth-telling.
New contours in international cooperationNationalism may be on the rise and hindering global consensus, but a pact among the five coastal states on the Caspian Sea represents a shift toward neighborly agreements.
Syria needs to be a blueprint for peacemakingEnding modern conflicts has become more difficult and perhaps the war in Syria 鈥� the most difficult of all 鈥� is an opportunity for new approaches in diplomacy.
A yearning for wholeness in local newsAs more newspapers lay off journalists, more people 鈥� especially those in the 鈥榥ew localism鈥� 鈥� look to revive local news as a way to define the character of their community.
Climate resilience as a path to clean energyAs humans and other species adapt to new weather patterns, they may show the kind of unity and endurance needed to better tackle carbon pollution.
A departing president鈥檚 lesson for peaceColombia鈥檚 war with the rebel group FARC ended when President Santos found out what the victims of the war really wanted: a deal that put mercy and forgiveness ahead of harsh justice.
Choosing a world order in ZimbabweThe July 30 election and its violent aftermath are a test case for two worldviews: the West鈥檚 democratic order or China鈥檚 autocratic, non-meddling model.
Facebook enlists users against cyber manipulationIn announcing the closure of fake pages designed to amplify discord in the US, Facebook has started to notify users who visit such sites. This is a step toward a whole-of-society effort against foreign meddling.
Trump鈥檚 offer to talk to IranAfter his summits with North Korea and Russia, President Trump now says he could meet with Iran鈥檚 president. Like Obama, he may seek wide benefits for peace in not using summits as a bargaining chip.
Trump enlarges his vision on tradeIn talks with Mexico and Europe, the president shifts his tone to one of expanding trade for all sides, not just the US.
In Pakistan, a 鈥榶es, we Khan鈥� momentDespite a tainted election, Imran Khan will become a prime minister who not only opposed corruption but promised its opposite: honest and accountable governance.
Religious responses to religious persecutionWhen Nicaragua鈥檚 regime cracked down on church leaders, Latin American Catholics responded with prayer. With more assaults on religious liberty worldwide, the faithful need to react in ways that affirm their beliefs.
Pakistan鈥檚 election: a victory for womenIn many villages, women voted for the first time as the July 25 election came with new rules and a rigorous registration campaign of female voters. Pakistan may have seen a big shift toward democratic equality.
Prepping US workers for new skillsA White House initiative provides an excellent way to ensure Americans can fit into a workplace driven by rapid technological change.
What鈥檚 gained when White Helmet rescuers are rescuedIsrael, Jordan, and many other countries joined to save a group of famous volunteer aid workers in the Syrian war, proving the reach of humanitarian law in protecting the innocent.
Wanted: mediator to end America鈥檚 longest warAfghanistan has lately seen many countries seeking a role in starting a peace process. With the US now open to talks with the Taliban, such negotiations will need a third party well versed in the skills of conflict resolution.
