All The Monitor's View
A toehold for peace in SyriaThe truce in Syria鈥檚 southwest, brokered by Russia and the US, hints at war fatigue and some hope for ending a six-year war now largely driven by foreign interests.
Creating a virtuous circle with North KoreaSouth Korea鈥檚 offer of talks with Pyongyang on minor issues aims to create enough trust and goodwill to tackle the tougher issues. The alternative is more of a vicious circle in military escalation.
Best lesson yet in Brazil's anti-graft driveA prison sentence on corruption for a once-popular president helps illustrate how deeply Brazilians now uphold equality before the law.
The Trump-Macron partnershipIn speeches if not in tweets, these two new presidents find common purpose in defending Western civilization and revitalizing Europe.
Amid the rubble of Mosul, Iraqi reconciliationIn contrast to ISIS鈥檚 rule over the city, Iraq鈥檚 government has already shown a path to reconcile Iraqis, especially its minority Sunnis.
How Germany forced a rethink of AfricaAt last week鈥檚 G20 summit, Germany won a major boost of private investment in Africa as a way to stem mass migration. But first Germany itself had to look at its own neglect of the continent.
In G20 protests, a different view of extremismViolent protests in Hamburg revealed the rise in left-wing extremism in Germany. But the challenge of the extremist mind-set 鈥� either left- or right-wing 鈥� is in many ways the same worldwide. 聽聽
Turning down the temperature on town hallsTown halls are a crucial tool in creating connections between citizens and their lawmakers. But how do you mix civility with passion? There are ways.
Angela Merkel and overcoming divisionGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel has seen her country overcome deep skepticism to become unified and integrated into Europe. The next step, as she sees it, is for Germany to become a more unifying force globally.聽
The tiny cracks inside North KoreaNorth Korea's missile tests present a picture of a threat to the world. But the world is pushing back in small ways that matter, too.聽
Hong Kong鈥檚 uneasy deal with China鈥極ne country, two systems鈥� has allowed the island to keep its independent democratic system. But after 20 years the agreement shows signs of eroding.
Canada at 150Its separation from Britain wasn鈥檛 as sudden or violent as that of the American colonies. But Canada has its own history to celebrate 鈥� and ponder 鈥� as it marks 150 years as a nation.
A 鈥榮ecret sauce鈥� for youths?The 鈥榮uccess sequence鈥� 鈥� finish high school, find a job, don鈥檛 have children before marriage 鈥� may give young people a path to a good life.
Famine must receive more of the world鈥檚 attentionAmericans shouldn鈥檛 be distracted from addressing one of the world鈥檚 great crises: starvation affecting millions.
A cold shoulder to CubaPresident Trump鈥檚 dramatic announcement of a new policy looks more like another tweak in a long line of efforts to get the Castro regime to reform or step down.
Renewable energy at a 鈥榯ipping point鈥�Washington may be showing less interest in alternative fuels, but the worldwide picture is dramatically different.
A call to 鈥榝ear-guard鈥� countries in a pandemicHealth experts drawing lessons from recent disease outbreaks say the world can do more to prevent 鈥榝ear contagion.鈥� Doing so will improve the care and comfort needed during a crisis.
The law that has a soldier鈥檚 backAs the US military hits out at new targets 鈥� Iran, Syria, and various terrorist groups 鈥� Congress must renew the legal authority for such actions. Soldiers must know that Americans support an agreed strategy. And foes must know of US resolve.聽
France鈥檚 drive for ethical politicsA new president and his young party have already shaken the traditional (and often corrupt) political order. Now Emmanuel Macron aims to set tough rules on ethics for French lawmakers. How will his reform differ from that in other countries?
When prayer helps end conflictsReligious leaders have achieved a truce between rebel groups in the Central African Republic through a 鈥榮piritually inspired鈥� method.
