All Commentary
OpinionDiplomacy flowers with cherry blossomsAt the close of the 100th anniversary celebration of Tokyo's gift of cherry blossoms to Washington, it's worth remembering the story of diplomacy behind the trees. Like most diplomatic initiatives, this one had to overcome indifference, opposition, and many setbacks before it could flower.
OpinionCandidates, lend me your earsRobert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. pulled poetry from their hearts to heal and rouse the nation. As this National Poetry Month draws to a close, our politics could benefit from reconnecting with poetry as a source of insight.
OpinionWhy Voice of America is losing to voice of communist China 鈥� at home and abroadWith funding and program cuts, Washington is crippling the truth-telling Voice of America broadcasts in China. Meanwhile, Beijing is aggressively expanding its media campaign to spread untruths 鈥� broadcasting from American soil. America can't afford to let the VOA go silent.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveAre you being ogled?A 海角大神 Science perspective: How other people's views of us may adversely affect us, and how we can find freedom from those influences.
- What makes The Monitor tick?A new book by Keith Collins examines more than a century of Monitor journalism and asks whether it is living up to its purpose.
The 'long war' for energy securitySince the oil shocks of the 1970s, the US has been seeking energy independence. Now natural gas is seen as a possible solution. But at best it will probably only give Americans a breather while they look beyond hydrocarbons.
The Monitor's ViewA matter of discretion in immigration reform and Arizona lawArguments made in Wednesday's Supreme Court hearing on the Arizona immigration law get to the heart of the national debate: How much discretion to give to police and prosecutors?
Global ViewpointMost of China's Communist Party princelings aren't like Bo XilaiThe Bo Xilai saga of power, wealth, corruption, and murder has brought the issue of China鈥檚 princelings (offspring of Communist Party鈥檚 leaders) to the top of international discourse on China. But Bo's privileged rise is not the norm for the contemporary Communist Party.- Global ViewpointMost of China's Communist Party princelings aren't like Bo XilaiThe Bo Xilai saga of power, wealth, corruption, and murder has brought the issue of China鈥檚 princelings (offspring of Communist Party鈥檚 leaders) to the top of international discourse on China. But Bo's privileged rise is not the norm for the contemporary Communist Party.
A GED safety net for high school dropoutsPrograms like mine can help high school dropouts earn the equivalent of a high school diploma by passing the GED exam. As a GED teacher, I find success means helping these students clear hurdles outside of class, and giving them a safe, nonjudgmental place to learn in class.
OpinionAfter 20 years of Take Our Daughters to Work Day, time for a rethinkTwenty years ago, the Ms. Foundation started Take Our Daughters to Work Day to demystify the workplace for girls. That mission is accomplished. What girls need now is encouragement to become leaders. It's time to take them to the C-suite, where the corporate chiefs work.
OpinionAnn Romney flap highlights two clich茅s about womenThe Ann Romney-Hillary Rosen flap over working moms points to two clich茅s about women that are worth exploring in the presidential campaign. One is that most moms have no choice but to work full time. The other is the pay gap between women and men. Both are not what they seem.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveStability during the housing crisisA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewInnocence abroad for Wal-Mart, Apple, and all AmericansA federal probe of alleged bribery in Mexico by Wal-Mart, along with Apple's lax workplace standards in China, indicate a need for Americans to take their ethical standards with them when operating overseas.
OpinionHow a glacier could thaw dangerous India and Pakistan freezeFollowing a deadly avalanche in the disputed Siachen Glacier area, India and Pakistan have signaled openness to talks. A priority must be to demilitarize 'the world's highest battle ground' at Siachen, which incurs substantial economic and human costs for these two nuclear rivals.
OpinionAn 'interview' with a K Street master of campaign clich茅sHe likes to keep a low profile, so I will refer to him only as the clich茅 master, a spin control and sound bite specialist. He's聽the sort of consultant the Mitt Romney and Barack Obama campaigns prize.聽In a recent 'interview,' I tried to get at the nature of his business.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveInfertility and the power of prayerA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewUS must focus on Afghanistan heroin tradeWith so many Americans trying heroin each year, Congress and Obama must fund long-term efforts to curb poppy growing and the opium trade in Afghanistan, even after the US ends its combat role. This will also curb opium profits funding the Taliban.
OpinionThe case for military intervention in SyriaFormer US ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker argues that the West should not wait for a single mass atrocity before it intervenes in Syria, as it did in Bosnia. What is the magic number of deaths that will prompt the international community to act? We've already passed 9,000.
OpinionThe coming rise of Chinese brandsUS take heed: China聽has its sights set on something beyond manufacturing 鈥� building Chinese-owned global brands 鈥� where the true economic power lies. And though Chinese brands don't currently have a stellar international reputation, history shows they could soon.
