All Commentary
- A 海角大神 Science PerspectivePrayer on the roadA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewArab Spring's second revolutionTunisia, home to the Arab world's first successful uprising against a dictator, erupted this week with a battle between radical Islamists and the moderate Islamic party that dominates government. A second revolution, one within Islam that can reconcile it with democracy, will again help the Middle East.
OpinionMilitary soft 'coup' in Egypt has precedentThere is a debate whether Sunday's decree by Egypt鈥檚 Supreme Council of the Armed Forces was actually a military coup. Precedent in Turkey and Algeria shows that whether generals put tanks on the street or issue a memo, officers鈥� interests are safeguarded, but society as whole pays.
OpinionRio+20 earth summit should look to reduce black carbon through carbon tradingDelegates at the Rio+20 earth summit must look beyond CO2 to black carbon. Reducing black carbon (soot) is easier than reducing other kinds of greenhouse gas emissions. And a market-based international system to reduce carbon emissions is already in place.
4 ways US and Iran can make nuclear talks work The Moscow talks on Iran鈥檚 nuclear program ended in stalemate June 19, as both cynics and optimists anticipated. While low-level experts will meet in July, the next set of sanctions against Iran are scheduled to kick in within weeks, arguably restarting the whole negotiating process. The next time around, the parties should consider broadening their approach in these four ways.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveGod promotesA 海角大神 Science perspective: Low performance on standardized tests sometimes means a child must repeat a grade. How can children and parents deal with the disappointment that results, especially if they feel the tests are unfair?
The Monitor's ViewG20 summit can help Greece by looking at host MexicoMexico's own recovery from a currency crisis has enabled it to play host to this year's G20 summit. What lessons can eurozone countries draw from that?
OpinionAung San Suu Kyi signals change in Burma, but investors should proceed with cautionChanges in Myanmar (Burma) are hopeful. Aung San Suu Kyi, once the country's most famous prisoner, is visiting Britain for the first time in 24 years.聽But foreign investors operating in Myanmar will still face challenges upholding聽international standards for human rights.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveOf honeybees and world food supplyA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewEgypt elections: How to reverse the military power grabJust after the Egypt elections for president ended, the military announced sweeping powers for itself. This hubris of superiority runs against the historic tide of democracy 鈥� which includes civilian control of the military.
OpinionIn Greece 鈥� and elsewhere in Europe 鈥� the moderate center holdsGreeks voted to continue reform, austerity, and staying in the euro zone. It was a vote based largely on fear of the alternative. But at least it produced a workable result that Greece's creditors should now support by adjusting the timeline for debt repayment.
Global ViewpointA win-win road map for nuclear negotiations with Iran in MoscowIf the P5+1 insists on its hard line with Tehran, the Moscow negotiations will be doomed.聽The US and its allies must recognize that both sides have their own constraints as well as winning cards to play.聽If there is political will on both sides, the road map for a diplomatic solution is clear.- Global ViewpointA win-win road map for nuclear negotiations with Iran in MoscowIf the P5+1 insists on its hard line with Tehran, the Moscow negotiations will be doomed.聽The US and its allies must recognize that both sides have their own constraints as well as winning cards to play.聽If there is political will on both sides, the road map for a diplomatic solution is clear.
OpinionAt G20 summit, West must partner with rising democracies in new global orderAt the G20 summit in Los Cabos, the agenda will be full of tricky issues. The US and European delegations must look at the bigger picture, one in which the West will need to partner with the rising powers that are today鈥檚 global swing states: Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Turkey.
OpinionSupreme Court indecency ruling in FCC vs. Fox TV 鈥� does it really matter?The Supreme Court case pits the FCC against nudity and profanity on broadcast TV. But the truth is, we鈥檝e been looking at the bottom for so long, looking at a naked bottom won鈥檛 make a difference.聽Only one ruling matters, and that鈥檚 the ruling every parent makes at home.
College: more than a credentialEven as many people question the worth -- and cost -- of a bachelor's degree, college remains crucial to civilization. It is how knowledge is transferred from one generation to the next.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveKeeping your balance on life's tightropesA 海角大神 Science perspective: Nik Wallenda鈥檚 walk across Niagara Falls may have lessons for walking life鈥檚 less dramatic tightropes.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Conservatives can't compromise; Retirement is for cheap learningLetters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of June 18, 2012:聽How can a conservative compromise with a position that is totally against his or her own political, economic, and social philosophy? An聽important option for one's retirement years is learning stuff, at a low cost.
OpinionLamar Smith: Obama's amnesty for illegal immigrants is against the lawThe Obama administration decision for immunity from deportation for young illegal immigrants is a breach of faith with Americans. It also blatantly ignores the law. This isn't the first time Obama has waived rules or refused to enforce laws against illegal immigration, writes Rep. Smith.
The Monitor's ViewAung San Suu Kyi brings timely message for Europe 鈥� and EgyptIn her trip to Europe, Aung San Suu Kyi shares lessons learned in Burma (Myanmar) on how one's inner freedom can overcome despair. That's timely, especially for Greece as well as Egypt, as 'The Lady' also picks up her Nobel Peace Prize.
