All The Monitor's View
An election so normal it鈥檚 a benchmarkMost Latin Americans will vote for a president this year, and Costa Rica has already set a standard by resisting populism and social media polarization in its April 1 election.
Yemen鈥檚 women as warriors of peaceAmid the tragedy of Yemen鈥檚 long war and the loss of men, women are being forced into new roles. Foreign aid helps many rebuild their lives and the country鈥檚 social fabric.
What to make of a North Korean apologyIn a country whose leaders are portrayed as infallible, a recent apology by a top official may help soften coming talks with the US and South Korea.
A guide to watching Arab electionsEgypt鈥檚 sham election doesn鈥檛 deserve as much attention as a real one this May in an Arab nation that embraces liberty of conscience.
Africa鈥檚 second liberationWhen most of the continent鈥檚 nations sign up to create a free-trade zone, it signals more than a business transaction. Africa is sharing values of trust and equality.
Why Facebook must 鈥榣ike鈥� ethical investorsAfter news broke of Facebook鈥檚 misuse of personal data, social capitalists on Wall Street helped bring down the stock price of this 鈥榮urveillance capitalist.鈥� Ethical investing is rewriting rules for what are 鈥榞ood鈥� profits.
The West鈥檚 real struggle with MoscowThe best response to Russia鈥檚 many provocations, such as the attempted murder of an ex-spy, is to reach the Russian people with a message that their identity relies on universal values such as liberty, not fear of others or notions of civilizational greatness.
Latin America gets a scrubbingPeru becomes the latest country to see a leader taken down by corruption scandal.聽 It will also soon host a regional summit. The theme: clean governance.
Europe backs Britain 鈥� and itselfAfter the attempted killing of civilians in Britain with a Russian nerve agent, the EU backs London and plans actions against the Kremlin. The Continent鈥檚 solidarity is a measure of its democratic values.
Trump's action on China helps all inventorsIn punishing China for patent theft, the president claims only a benefit for the US. But the action also affirms global rules on intellectual property that help nurture discoveries for all.
A Saudi leader鈥檚 test of moderationThe crown prince鈥檚 visit to the US puts a spotlight on his claim of ending the country鈥檚 past hate-filled ideology and instead embrace a 鈥榤oderate Islam.鈥�
Facebook鈥檚 lapse in privacy protectionThe use of personal data on Facebook accounts for political targeting must bring higher standards for privacy protection. Companies that use 鈥榖ig data鈥� rely on the trust of customers.
The light Stephen Hawking leaves behindTributes to the British scientist continue to roll in, noting how his humble search for truth inspired others, especially at a time of 鈥榝ake news鈥� and misinformation.
South Africa sings in the anti-corruption chorusThe prosecution of a former president on corruption reflects a global trend among many democracies to end impunity and ensure equality of law.
The race to be a start-up nationA survey reveals that better innovation may lie in how well each country replaces a cultural taboo against failure in business with encouraging faith in finding the best ideas.
Why web users are 鈥榥orm entrepreneurs鈥�Calls to curb misinformation and other abuses on the web 鈥� such as a recent plea from web founder Tim Berners-Lee 鈥� must rest on the assumption that users have the capacity to discern fact from falsehood. US security officials rely on that premise.
Take the taint out of March MadnessThe college basketball national championship is an annual sports extravaganza enjoyed by million of fans. But until illegal, secret payments to players are addressed it remains a tainted spectacle.
A prize for dwellings that connectThis year鈥檚 winner of the 鈥楴obel鈥� for architecture is an Indian who helps the 鈥榟ave-nots鈥� see a home as more than a physical box.
The art of listening in a Trump-Kim summitThe US and North Korea have built up their strengths and also made minor concessions to arrange a summit. Now they need the personal interaction to build up trust, step by step.
Behold Greeks bearing a giftWhile other European countries have seen a rise in anti-EU parties, the one nation that came close to leaving has reentered the fold with a measure of success.
