All The Monitor's View
The Biden 鈥榤oonshot鈥� for Afghan reconciliationAs pressure mounts for a U.S. exit, the new president pushes elected Afghan leaders to work with the Taliban in finding a peaceful blend of Islam and democracy.
Turkey shows why a central bank鈥檚 independence is centralThe dismissal of a central bank chief does more than put an economy at risk. Democracies now depend on these deliberative bodies for long-term stability.
One way to build China-US trustThe two rivals can find common ground in reversing a military coup in Myanmar, creating goodwill to solve other tense conflicts.
Britain reins in its company bonus cultureProposed rules would instill more honesty in companies by ensuring pay incentives don鈥檛 lead to reckless or corrupt behavior.
A prize for humble architectureThe profession鈥檚 highest award goes to a French couple who rely on modesty and listening 鈥� even inaction 鈥� to achieve ethical works.
The first necessity in debt reliefAs poorer nations seek help for rising debts during the pandemic, global creditors insist even more on honesty in financial data. Truthfulness has become a lubricant for debt forbearance.
How Libyans shaped a unity governmentRemote public participation and a case of competing generals finding consensus led to the election of an interim prime minister mandated to promote reconciliation.
Sprouts of freedom in AfricaEnough polls of young people and a few examples of democratic practices hint that Africans may be demanding better governance.
Local givers rise to the COVID-19 challengeOf all charitable grants given to meet the needs during the pandemic last year, more than half came from community foundations.
Asia鈥檚 security in a different lightThe first summit of a group of Asian-Pacific democracies known as the Quad provides a chance for it to not be seen as only an enemy of China.
China鈥檚 quest for 鈥渟ources of innovation鈥�One source, as officials now admit, is freedom for scientific researchers to fail. To achieve its goal as a tech giant, China may be forced to grant more social freedoms.
Police trials as benchmarks for racial justiceThe verdict in the trial of a police officer for George Floyd鈥檚 death in Minneapolis must be seen against the progress made in states since that tragic yet galvanizing moment.
A welcoming that defines power in the Middle EastA historic meeting between Shiism鈥檚 most respected iman and the pope signals how the Abrahamic faiths can influence the region鈥檚 conflicts.
What France can learn from US Black churchesA French bill indirectly targeting the Muslim minority can take a lesson from the role of Black churches in achieving progress.
Alternatives to a boycott of Beijing OlympicsFor the 2022 Games, athletes can protest China鈥檚 abuses in clever ways. Foreign officials and advertisers can stay away. The purposes of the Olympics can then endure.
Biden's first use of force overseasA retaliatory airstrike on Iran-backed militias in Syria opens an opportunity for the president to show leadership in setting thresholds and responsibilities for any U.S. military action.
Why protest signs in Myanmar are in EnglishThe anti-coup demonstrators are appealing to a more sophisticated global 鈥減eace industry鈥� that can track peaceful assembly and shine a light on local conflicts.聽
Shaping a new Syria, one verdict at a timeSyrian refugees carried the ideals of the Arab Spring into a German courtroom that convicted one of the regime鈥檚 torturers.
The only path for India, PakistanA truce in Kashmir and an agreement to discuss 鈥渃ore鈥� issues between the two rivals makes sense in light of bigger concerns and opportunities.
How might pro sports bounce back?During the pandemic, the alter鈥媏d鈥嬧�嬄犫�媠cheduling聽generally has led to dips in viewership. But the comeback for sports could bring surprises.
