All Editorials
The Monitor's ViewHow to react to Colorado shooting (hint: no dark knight rises)The Colorado shooting during a screening of the Batman movie 'The Dark Knight Rises' will evoke calls for ways to prevent more mass killings. But such tragedies only point to Americans having to learn how best to react personally.
OpinionWith Syria imploding, is Hezbollah next?Hezbollah鈥檚 loyalty to the brutal regime in Syria is costing it support and exacerbating divisions in Lebanon. Its message runs contrary to the Arab Spring. If a link is found between the militant group and the bus bombing of Israeli tourists in Bulgaria, that makes it look even weaker.
Global ViewpointReinventing the city: An interview with architect Rem Koolhaas'What I see more than anything is the inability of almost every political system to anticipate, mobilize, and take precautions for the future, even when it is obvious that cities will grow or shrink rapidly.' At the same time, 'The reinvention...of cities is taking place all over the world.'- Global ViewpointReinventing the city: An interview with architect Rem Koolhaas'What I see more than anything is the inability of almost every political system to anticipate, mobilize, and take precautions for the future, even when it is obvious that cities will grow or shrink rapidly.' At the same time, 'The reinvention...of cities is taking place all over the world.'
The Monitor's ViewAmerica's big drought: Time to rethink water conservationMuch of the Lower 48 is in a bad drought, the worst since 1956. Yet each drought also brings new ideas for adapting to nature's vagaries. What ideas are worth considering now?
OpinionThe way forward in Syria after Bashar al-AssadYesterday's strategic bomb attack in Damascus shows it's not too soon to consider the way forward in Syria after the rule of Bashar al-Assad. Lessons from other countries teach that Syria and the international community will have to pull together for a successful transition.
OpinionA win for 'secularists' in Libya? It's not what you think.This week, so-called 'secularists' were declared official winners in Libya's parliamentary elections 鈥� and yet they support a constitutional place for Islamic sharia values. This seeming contradiction in Libya belies Western stereotypes about the incompatibility of Islam and democracy.
The Monitor's ViewSyria on the brink of liberty?So many nations 鈥� notably Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia 鈥� claim interests in Syria. It's easy to forget what still drives the civil war there: the seed of freedom planted even before the Arab Spring.
OpinionUS must kill and capture terrorist leaders as soon as possible. It works.Killing or capturing leaders of terrorist groups increases the chances these groups will collapse. In spite of what some politicians see as short-term political and diplomatic costs, my findings suggest targeted killings are an effective counterterrorism strategy in the long run.
Four steps to success in AfghanistanNow that the United States has committed itself to Afghanistan for another 10 years, the most important policy Washington could adopt in Afghanistan is one that helps the Afghans effectively govern their country on their own. To have any hope for success, the US and Afghanistan must accomplish these four goals.
The Monitor's ViewAs bank scandals add up, a need for a culture of integrity in banksThe HSBC scandal comes soon after reckless or deceitful behavior at Barclays and JPMorgan. The pattern lies in a bank culture that doesn't emphasize character enough. A survey of the industry shows why.
OpinionBring back the American Dream? It鈥檚 not that hard.The problem isn't lack of knowledge on what to do, but partisan arguments that ignore common-sense consensus. America needs an activist government and individual responsibility. It needs immediate job creation, and over the long term, debt reduction and stronger families.
The Monitor's ViewOut of disasters in Russia and China, a bloom of compassionRussian volunteers rushed to the city of Krymsk after its July 7 flood, just as Chinese gave generously after a 2008 earthquake. Heartfelt, organized charity isn't easy for authoritarian regimes to tolerate.
OpinionThe threat to American democracy that Romney and Obama aren't talking aboutIt's called the civics gap. Only one-third of Americans can name all three branches of government. Education reform's focus on聽high-stakes testing has sidelined civics education.聽To save American democracy, Romney and Obama must discuss how to help schools educate engaged citizens.
OpinionPush in Congress to ban biofuels in military has big long-term costsThe US armed services is working hard to wean itself off of fossil fuels and foreign oil. Yet some in Congress, for short-term savings, want to ban them from purchasing biofuels. Cutting investments in long-term solutions like alternative fuel will cost America dearly in the future.
The Monitor's ViewBarclays Libor scandal: Is truth an easy casualty in the digital age?Barclays bank was caught manipulating global interest rates, known as Libor, in an act of deception over the bank's financial soundness. Preventing such dishonesty needs more than regulation.
OpinionBullied bus monitor: one cog in a broken machineBullied bus monitor Karen Klein had a responsibility to assert her authority. The takeaway for a child witnessing her passivity would be: 'If a grown-up can鈥檛 do anything to stop them, then I sure can鈥檛.' That simply isn鈥檛 true. School districts and parents must learn from this case.
The Monitor's ViewEssence of Penn State report on Sandusky scandal: Protect children's innocenceThe Penn State report is more than a plan to reform a college football program or a university that failed to prevent sexual abuse of minors by Jerry Sandusky. Any institution dealing with kids will find the report useful in protecting children as innocent beings.
OpinionSandusky report: Penn State the institution was more important than individualsThe Louis Freeh report condemns Joe Paterno and others at Penn State for covering up allegations of sexual abuse against Jerry Sandusky. Why did thoughtful adults turn a blind eye? They likely let their devotion to the institution take precedence over the suffering of individuals.
OpinionEhud Olmert could be Israel's comeback kid 鈥� and make peace with PalestiniansAfter his acquittal from key corruption charges former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is well positioned as a comeback kid in Israeli politics.聽If Olmert does return, the political discussion in Israel is going to change, with renewed focus on the Palestinian question.
