All Editorials
The Monitor's ViewA model leader for Syria?A moderate Muslim preacher who suffered as a freedom fighter in Syria has been chosen as opposition leader to Assad. Now, Moaz al-Khatib must unite a people torn by civil war and religion.
OpinionDifferent China, same risky political systemAt China's Communist Party congress, outgoing President Hu Jintao made a frank appraisal of challenges faced by the party. But he ruled out any evolution toward a more open and accountable political system. China has yet to learn from South Korea and Taiwan.
OpinionObama's post-election Syria policy is unlikely to change, but it shouldObama鈥檚 policy of 'staying the course' in Syria should be weighed against worsening strategic realities in the country and region. Only a careful military program to help the rebels, including arming and training them, can stem the growing costs of US inaction.
The Monitor's View'Petraeus scandal' as a mirror on marriageAs the 'Petraeus scandal' widens with probes and politics, it should also throw a spotlight on the state of marriage.
Global ViewpointGeorge Soros: To survive, Europe must recapture spirit of solidarityEurope has become divided into two classes 鈥� depressed debtors like Greece and controlling creditors like Germany. To reverse this, Europe must recapture its spirit of solidarity. A good place to start is where suffering is greatest, in Greece, among thousands of mistreated migrants.- Global ViewpointGeorge Soros: To survive, Europe must recapture spirit of solidarityEurope has become divided into two classes 鈥� depressed debtors like Greece and controlling creditors like Germany. To reverse this, Europe must recapture its spirit of solidarity. A good place to start is where suffering is greatest, in Greece, among thousands of mistreated migrants.
OpinionBalkan conflicts hold clear lessons on intervention in SyriaAs policymakers in Europe, the United States, the Gulf states, Turkey, and the Arab League search for ways to resolve the conflict in Syria, they should consider what the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo have to teach about outside intervention. The main lesson? Do it 鈥� to stop the killing.
OpinionTo avoid 'fiscal cliff,' try mediationThe 'fiscal cliff' needs urgent attention, but the election returned the same House/Senate/White House configuration that failed to agree on the budget ceiling in 2011. More active participation by President Obama combined with mediation could help bridge the congressional divide.
OpinionVeterans Day: To regain trust, Congress should take a cue from US militaryThis Veterans Day, the military is one of America鈥檚 most trusted institutions; Congress is one of the least. Confidence in many public institutions is low because they lack a sense of duty, trust, loyalty, and teamwork 鈥� qualities US troops hold dear, and which all Americans can practice.
The Monitor's ViewElection winners and losersAmericans voted in large numbers. But voters need to be better served at the polls. Meanwhile, Republicans must pause to reflect.
OpinionHow President Obama can win over CongressHe may have won the election, but now President Obama faces enormous challenges in the House and Senate 鈥� among Republicans and Democrats. To succeed, he must do what does not come naturally to him: Spend lots of quality time with lawmakers of both parties.
OpinionWhat superstorm Sandy taught me about the failures of online learningWhen hurricane Sandy closed my campus for a few days, my students and I had to conduct our course online. It was wholly inadequate.聽Online learning cannot 鈥� and should not 鈥� replace the real-time dialogue of the in-person classroom.
The Monitor's ViewLook outward, ObamaThe president鈥檚 domestic agenda may consist of making compromises with Republicans. But overseas he is freer to act. And there鈥檚 much that needs his attention.
OpinionWhy Democrats have the tea party to thank for their winThe tea party had a huge impact on the election 鈥� but not the one it sought. It kept the Senate in Democratic hands by nominating far-right, losing candidates. It pushed Mitt Romney too far to the right. What Republicans need is their own Bill Clinton. Someone like New Jersey's Chris Christie.
OpinionMitt Romney's flip-flopping didn't hurt himThe Obama campaign labeled Mitt Romney a flip-flopper. But Romney's position shifts did little to fundamentally harm his election prospects. Obama only narrowly defeated Romney, and election day results聽closely mirror projections from June 鈥� before Romney鈥檚 move to the middle.
The Monitor's ViewAfter Obama victory: Come together, right nowPresident Obama and Republicans need to work together, weather criticism from their bases, and make a tough, fair, and necessary deal to avoid the 鈥榝iscal cliff.鈥�
OpinionExit polls show President Obama should go on listening tour, not take victory lapMitt Romney will be chastised for his missteps. But he isn鈥檛 the only one who was tone deaf.聽Voters are ambivalent about President Obama and his record. He needs to listen to the echoes from the exit polls, broaden his approach, and seek a new direction for his second term.
OpinionAs a region battered by Sandy braces for the nor'easter, I think of GrandmaWhen superstorm Sandy hit New York City, I made my way through a pitch-black hallway and down the stairs remembering Grandma 鈥� and the New York we had shared. And I thought of 9/11. That spirit of service and community has shown itself again in the aftermath of Sandy.
OpinionAfter Obama win, how civility can come to WashingtonAfter the election last night, President Obama and Mitt Romney rightly spoke of the need to reach out to the other side. But today's political divisiveness has been decades in the making and will take decades to undo. Here's how that can happen. It starts with citizens.
The Monitor's ViewChina鈥檚 backroom politicsWhile US presidential candidates openly campaigned to win votes, China鈥檚 new leaders were chosen in secret by a shadowy elite.
