All Commentary
6 reasons why President Obama will defeat the NRA and win universal background checks Something is going to happen this session in the US Congress that hasn鈥檛 happened in more than a decade: The National Rifle Association (NRA) is going to lose on a top priority issue. Here are six reasons why President Obama will win a victory on universal background checks.
OpinionIran and the US need a middleman 鈥� or twoAs Iran and the US prepare for negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program, both sides should consider turning to middlemen. Turkey and Japan are perfectly positioned as trusted intermediaries to build a proposal that has a better chance at success than anything by the 'P5+1.'- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveNot obsessedA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewImmigration reform as a path to conscience, not just citizenshipA bipartisan plan on immigration reform by a group of senators reflects tough terms for forgiving most illegal immigrants. President Obama, too, must adopt only an amnesty that strongly contributes to rule of law.
OpinionAttacks in Mali, Libya, Algeria show why Africa still needs US supportAttacks by Islamist insurgents on US outposts in Benghazi, Libya, at a gas plant in Algeria, and in Mali expose several reasons for persistent security weakness across Africa. For one thing, many countries are too poor to supply the funds and soldiers for regional peace efforts.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveMy favorite 'go to' app
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Balancing gun rights with prevention; America's culture of fear sells; Gun control and the Bill of RightsLetters to the Editor for the Jan. 28 weekly print issue: There is no easy answer to the question about how to protect America's Second Amendment rights but also prevent gun violence.聽Fear sells, and the media and lobbyists on both sides have capitalized on our latest fear of gun violence. Legislating gun control would set a dangerous precedent for altering the Bill of Rights.
The interface is the messageThe Internet needed a friendly face to become usher in the digital revolution. The browser, which launched 20 years ago this spring, was that face. Today's interface of choice, the app, has launched a second revolution.
The Monitor's ViewThe listening legacy of Hillary Rodham ClintonThe legacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of State may be in her enhancement of the diplomatic art of listening to other peoples 鈥� especially women 鈥� and not only world leaders. With President Obama honoring her in a "60 Minutes" interview, that legacy needs to be sustained.
Global ViewpointItalian elections: Monti vs. Berlusconi and a test of democracyThe upcoming Italian elections are a contest between the populism of short-term fixes championed by Silvio Berlusconi and the long-term reforms of Mario Monti necessary to make Italy鈥檚 economy solvent, competitive, and sustainable over the long run.- Global ViewpointItalian elections: Monti vs. Berlusconi and a test of democracyThe upcoming Italian elections are a contest between the populism of short-term fixes championed by Silvio Berlusconi and the long-term reforms of Mario Monti necessary to make Italy鈥檚 economy solvent, competitive, and sustainable over the long run.
OpinionNorth Korea threatens US 鈥� what about its own people?As North Korea threatens the US, South Korea, and world peace with hints of a third nuclear test, what about its threat to its own people? It has one of the worst human rights records in the world. The UN must open a 'commission of inquiry' into crimes against humanity.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveToward a life of order and harmonyA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewWomen in combat: Why that's so yesterdayThe military's decision to allow women in almost every combat role isn't surprising at a deeper level. Humans have been more rapidly overcoming barriers to physical limitations. Now we just expect it.
OpinionUS should look to Morocco for help with threats in Mali, Algeria, LibyaHillary Rodham Clinton yesterday pointed to violent extremism in places such as Libya and Mali as a 'strategic challenge' to the United States and North Africa. The US can help meet that challenge by partnering with Morocco, an island of calm and progress in a chaotic region.
Global ViewpointWhy Middle East Muslims are taught to hate JewsFor far too long the pervasive Middle Eastern qualification of Jews as murderers and bloodsuckers was dismissed in the West as an extreme view of radical fringe groups. But it is not.聽It is time for the region's secular movements to start a counter-education in tolerance.- Global ViewpointWhy Middle East Muslims are taught to hate JewsFor far too long the pervasive Middle Eastern qualification of Jews as murderers and bloodsuckers was dismissed in the West as an extreme view of radical fringe groups. But it is not.聽It is time for the region's secular movements to start a counter-education in tolerance.
- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveThe flu is not inevitableA 海角大神 Science perspective.
OpinionIsrael's new government could bring shift in policy on Arab Spring and PalestiniansFollowing Israel鈥檚 parliamentary elections, the gains of Yair Lapid鈥檚 moderate party over Benjamin Netanyahu鈥檚 Likud party could provide the opportunity for a needed change in Israel鈥檚 stance on the Arab Spring and its conflict with the Palestinians.
OpinionCharacter education is not enough to help poor kidsCharacter education 鈥� teaching kids to be responsible and to persevere 鈥� isn't enough to bring poor students out of poverty or close the achievement gap. Policymakers need to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and the significant obstacles poor children face.
