All The Monitor's View
Ending modern wars driven by ancient wrongsSouth Korea鈥檚 leader has asked her people to end their 鈥榲ictim mentality鈥� about past big-power aggression. It was a call that might help other countries whose aggressive ways are driven by a lingering victimhood over ancient grievances.
Why more American teens succeedGraduation rates are at a record high, a result of many educational reforms and social trends. But also more students may be excelling by finding inspiration in 鈥榠dentity projects.鈥�
In the battle for Mosul, Islamic State is its own worst enemyThe group鈥檚 savagery and missteps 鈥� toward Muslims 鈥� have created discontent and weakened its grasp from within. With an ideology based on hate, IS can only implode.
A famine crisis that鈥檚 also a test for NigeriaThe world is only waking up to an acute food shortage in Nigeria, caused by the Boko Haram turmoil. Nigerians can also respond better, while raising their confidence in dealing with other woes.
US strikes in Yemen: a trigger for peacemakingYemen鈥檚 civil war now has global dimensions 鈥� in its civilian casualties, a near-famine, regional escalation, and a direct US attack inside a pivotal country on the Arabian Peninsula. The US bears further responsibility to be a peacemaker.
The justice route to end Syria鈥檚 warRussian bombing of Aleppo has led France, Britain, and the US to call for a war-crimes investigation. The prospect of Russian leaders being prosecuted by a tribunal might give them an incentive to make peace. A tribunal would also help heal a postwar Syria.
Why peace hopes endure in ColombiaA proposed peace deal with rebels failed at the polls, but the pact鈥檚 main supporters 鈥� victims of Colombia鈥檚 long war 鈥� know that forgiveness lies at the heart of peacemaking.
Russia鈥檚 cyberattack: an opening for a pactNow that the US has blamed Russia for hacking the Democratic Party, it should use the attack to build a consensus聽among nations聽for a code of conduct in the digital universe.
Hospitality marks the next UN chiefThe Security Council鈥檚 choice for the next UN secretary-general,聽Ant贸nio Guterres, is someone at the center of a global crisis: refugees. He has witnessed the generosity of host countries and is primed to further the caring of the uprooted.
What breaks a cycle of high debt/low growthThe world鈥檚 over-indebtedness is a large reason for slow economic growth. Yet at least one nation, Jamaica, has shown how to swim out of its red ink. But it took unusual cooperation and openness.
Why the tweet #prayfor has staying powerAfter major tragedies, social media lights up with calls for prayer. One reason, based on a new survey: A majority of Americans rely on prayer in the hope for healing, finding 鈥楪od in that space.鈥�
The cool breezes on Asia鈥檚 hot spotsThe latest India-Pakistan violence, along with tensions over aggressive moves by North Korea and China, might not escalate in the face of global trends that have set common values and norms of behavior.
Why some cities thrive as economic enginesIf the US election is about raising and broadening economic growth, then candidates must look at why certain cities thrive as innovators 鈥� and then help other cities do the same. One key: civic trust.
Gambling鈥檚 hypeAs the global gambling market grows to a predicted $1 trillion market, many operators are pushing ads with false promises of easy riches. Such deceit shows why governments must encourage living by talent, education, and hard work, not a belief in luck.
Peres鈥檚 legacy of an expectant faith in peaceHe was Israel鈥檚 driver of the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians, which offered a model for Colombia鈥檚 peace process. Can Colombia鈥檚 peace pact now be a model for Israel?
Addressing fears of would-be migrantsBoth the US and the EU are trying a new approach to mass migration: reducing the fear or desperation of people tempted to flee their country. For the US, the tactic may be working in Central America.
Who can inspire civility in the presidential campaign?As the Trump and Clinton campaigns heat up the rhetoric, those who have already occupied the White House set a higher tone by their mutual respect toward each other. Perhaps the current candidates can learn now what they may learn later.
Jordan鈥檚 small light in a dark MideastEven as the region becomes more violent and despotic, an election in Jordan reveals progress for women and a shift by the Muslim Brotherhood toward inclusivity and secular rule.聽
Company transparency on climate changeA global body will soon come up with a standard for how companies can reveal the risks of climate change on their business. For now, such 鈥榮ustainability鈥� accounting rules should remain voluntary.
Japan turns silver into goldFaced with being the world鈥檚 most rapidly aging society, Japan has decided to see the demographic challenge as a 鈥榖onus鈥� rather than an 鈥榦nus,鈥� forcing it to be more innovative and to view old folks in a new light.
