All Commentary
OpinionIf Hollande wins French election, Europe won't collapse 鈥� just shift a bitSocialist Fran莽ois Hollande may well win the French presidential election. But don't expect a big brawl or gridlock with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over austerity and debt. Markets will keep Hollande in check. And then there's the tradition of German-French cooperation.
Ann Romney-Hilary Rosen dust-up can't be reduced to a question of 'choice'The Ann Romney-Hilary Rosen clash presented more than another mommy-wars episode. Calling the decision to parent at home or pursue outside paid labor a 鈥榗hoice鈥� obscures the role that businesses, the economy, and government play in shaping the possibilities that families have.- Ann Romney-Hilary Rosen dust-up can't be reduced to a question of 'choice'The Ann Romney-Hilary Rosen clash presented more than another mommy-wars episode. Calling the decision to parent at home or pursue outside paid labor a 鈥榗hoice鈥� obscures the role that businesses, the economy, and government play in shaping the possibilities that families have.
- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveClimate Impacts Day and a new way to look at the worldA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewWhy economics is still the 'dismal science'Economists befuddled by the economy's twists and turns often fail to tap into data on the most optimist group 鈥� young people. Their hopeful 'animal spirits' may be the force for a full recovery.
OpinionUS must focus on upcoming leadership change in AfghanistanWhen Obama made his secret visit to Afghanistan yesterday, he emphasized America's security role. The US needs to focus on helping Afghanistan build its political and governing capabilities. The Afghan presidential election looms with no plan for a smooth transition of power.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveThe language that unites usA 海角大神 Science perspective.
OpinionTrying youths as adults hurts families and taxpayers, but not crimeIf a juvenile court decides today that accused Chardon High School shooter T.J. Lane is competent to stand trial, he could become one of 250,000 youths prosecuted in adult criminal court every year. This practice harms young people, doesn't save taxpayers money, and doesn't reduce crime.
The Monitor's ViewOn anniversary of Osama bin Laden death, did Obama take too much credit?Critics of Obama's move to politicize his bold decision to kill Osama bin Laden miss a deeper point about leadership.
Global ViewpointArab Spring: now begins the education of Islamist politiciansIn Tunisia and Egypt, Islamists are being elected into office to take on the daunting policy problems of their neglected societies. But Islamists, too, will be chucked out of office if they can鈥檛 deliver the goods. And they know it.- Global ViewpointArab Spring: now begins the education of Islamist politiciansIn Tunisia and Egypt, Islamists are being elected into office to take on the daunting policy problems of their neglected societies. But Islamists, too, will be chucked out of office if they can鈥檛 deliver the goods. And they know it.
OpinionChinese dissident 鈥� bad timing for Washington, BeijingChinese dissident Chen's escape is inopportune. President Obama is in a tough election battle. China faces a leadership change. Washington's angst over how to protect Chen without infuriating Beijing is matched by Beijing's desire to silence him without incurring world disdain.
OpinionBahrain doctor: If US loses the faith of people like me, it loses the MideastWashington鈥檚 tepid response to Bahrain's crackdown on nonviolent protesters has forced me to question what America really stands for. Obama聽must tell the ruling family to stop attacking protesters and to drop sham charges against medics like me and hundreds of others.- How the Monitor is doingThree years ago, the Monitor embarked on a bold strategy of Web-first journalism. We are making steady progress toward our goal of becoming self-sustaining.
- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveParenting, innocence, and the threat of sexual abuseA 海角大神 Science perspective: How a mom responded when a man who lived in the same apartment complex was rumored to be a pedophile.
The Monitor's ViewWhat's right in this picture? A Chinese dissident in US custodyPleas for US help like those from dissident Chen in China can wear down a superpower trying to reorient itself. Yet foreigners still look to American for moral leadership. A mature democracy should know how to resolve such dilemmas.- Readers RespondReaders Write: War fueled by defense lobby; Attack on Iran is legal; Catholics can't change faith for individual wishesLetters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of April 30, 2012: The 'appetite for war' is fueled by the arms聽lobby's appetite for profit; there's a key legal difference between a 'preemptive' and a 'preventive' attack on Iran; and Catholics don't force others to follow their beliefs, they simply demand First Amendment protections.
Walter RodgersFlorida-style 'Stand Your Ground' gun laws sub impulse for intelligent thinkingEven as George Zimmerman stands trial for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin, many Americans argue these laws make us safe.听I've had pistols held to my head from Bosnia to Beirut. Your best self-defense is your tongue. Those who put their faith in guns will ultimately be outgunned.- Walter RodgersFlorida-style 'Stand Your Ground' gun laws sub impulse for intelligent thinkingEven as George Zimmerman stands trial for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin, many Americans argue these laws make us safe.听I've had pistols held to my head from Bosnia to Beirut. Your best self-defense is your tongue. Those who put their faith in guns will ultimately be outgunned.
- John HughesMy long love affair with Monitor journalismFrom correspondent, to editor, to columnist, I've seen radical changes in journalism and the world.
