All Editorials
OpinionIn Africa, the best 'charity' is aid for businessThe traditional approach to solving Africa鈥檚 problems through aid has created a cycle of dependency.聽A better approach is to use donor subsidies to fund private, for-profit ventures. Those ventures create systemic and sustainable change in the community.
OpinionUS intervention in Syria must be legitimate in eyes of international lawIsraeli air strikes on Damascus and the conflicting reports on the use of chemical weapons (sarin gas) may complicate President Obama's decision on intervention in Syria. The US must consider the international laws of war before taking any action.
The Monitor's ViewDespite stalled Arab Spring, Muslim nations grasp for democracyElections in Pakistan and Malaysia show step-by-step progress to reconcile Islam with secular values of elected government.
OpinionThinking through options on North KoreaAs history shows, new nuclear states such as North Korea usually probe the limits of their power and聽test聽how other international actors respond. But consider this: Once escalation starts, it can be extremely difficult to control.
The Monitor's ViewIn postelection Venezuela, why nonviolence must winSince its flawed April 14 presidential election, Venezuela has experienced violence over opposition demands for a vote recount. Pro-democracy forces must keep the moral high ground of nonviolence to avoid another Syria.
OpinionObama, Pe帽a Nieto must save a vital part of effort to fight drug traffickingMexico is radically changing the way it cooperates with the US to fight drug trafficking. When President Obama meets with President Pe帽a Nieto today, the two must find a way to save the US-Mexico working groups that have led to arrests in both countries.
OpinionAmerica can't afford the real cost of Guant谩namoThe consequences of ignoring Guant谩namo, its abuses, and its hunger strikers are foreboding 鈥� for the prisoners and for America. President Obama must release聽prisoners with no case against them, move the rest to US courts to be charged and tried, and finally close the detention facility.
The Monitor's ViewImmigration bill and Obama's trip to Mexico: Why the two are linkedPresident Obama's trip to Mexico will help better integrate the two economies. And a piece of the Senate immigration-reform bill focuses on integrating the mainly Mexican population of undocumented immigrants. Each country must respect the other's sensitivities on these two integrations.
OpinionA blueprint for women architects to overcome doubt, discriminationAn online campaign to have the work of architect Denise Scott Brown recognized by the Pritzker Architecture Prize committee has shed light on the ongoing struggles of women in architecture. Women must push themselves to 'lean in' more to fight internal and external obstacles.
OpinionSix ways to boost electric vehiclesGetting more American drivers into electric vehicles carries both environmental and national security benefits. But to get Americans to really buy EVs, the Obama administration needs to learn from the past and plan better today.
The Monitor's ViewRevenge, or fear of it, must not lead Syria to chemical warfarePresident Obama and other world leaders must speak directly to both Assad and rebel leader about avoiding revenge killings. That is necessary to prevent escalation of the war with chemical weapons.
OpinionWhy civilian courts are best for terror trials, especially Boston bombing suspectAs more than 1,000聽terrorism trials over the last decade show, the federal court system is well equipped to handle terrorism cases like that of Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. His trial may also help harmonize US counterterrorism efforts with those of its allies.
OpinionObamacare faces new legal challenge: Its 'tax' still violates the ConstitutionThe Supreme Court saved Obamacare by deeming the law's individual mandate a 'tax.' But in that case, the law violates the聽Constitution's Origination Clause, which says all tax bills must originate in the House, not the Senate. Letting the law stand sets a dangerous precedent.
The Monitor's ViewIn China and US, a values upheaval as economies slowAs the economy slows, Beijing leaders try to push a 'China dream.' In the US, the 'American dream" has shifted to a desire for economic security. The two global giants need watching as their values norms shift.
OpinionSmoking gun in West, Texas, fertilizer blast: lack of government oversightWhile the cause of the blast in West, Texas, is still undetermined, what is clear is that the West Fertilizer Company stored large quantities of reactive products in the middle of a small town with little state or federal oversight. Citizens must be empowered to act when regulators don't.
OpinionReminder from Boston Marathon bombings: A need to integrate immigrant childrenThe Boston Marathon bombings could not have been foreseen in the case files of 聽8-year-old asylum seeker, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev,聽and his 15-year-old brother, Tamerlan. What should be questioned is whether US authorities do enough to integrate immigrant children once they arrive.
The Monitor's ViewOf one mind about chemical weapons and protecting the innocentProbable evidence of chemical-gas use in Syria may soon force world leaders to intervene. Their decision should be based on a principle enshrined in a global ban of such weapons 鈥� a respect for the innocence of civilians in not being harmed by this indiscriminate tool of war.
OpinionBoston bombings: Come together, right now, on social mediaAfter the Boston bombings, we, as Americans, rose together in a time of tragedy. Social media accelerated our camaraderie faster than ever. It can sustain it further still, despite some of the downsides of this technology.
OpinionThe resurgence of vinyl records: why analog lives onVinyl sales are up, while CDs continue their downward slide. Like most boomers,聽I hauled my last turntable to Goodwill back in the 鈥�80s. I recently bought another to hear my son鈥檚 new album, released on vinyl.聽Vinyl becomes personal in a way that digital music never does.
The Monitor's ViewIn a gathering of presidents, a model for WashingtonFive current and past US presidents met Thursday for the dedication of the George W. Bush presidential library The conviviality and civility should set a standard for politicians.
