All The Monitor's View
What the immigration reform bill still needsThe eight senators who crafted an immigration reform bill deserve praise for finding a bipartisan compromise. But the bill needs a theme other than economics and security to help place immigration's role in defining the nation's identity.
The challenge in the Boston Marathon bombingThe act of terror in the Boston Marathon bombing was swiftly met by acts of help and comfort for victims and others. Such actions point to the need to affirm all of that which the bomber sought to destroy.
Alternative currencies like bitcoin are a mirror of their usersThe e-currency bitcoin spiked and then fell last week, sowing doubts about alternative currencies, whether on the Internet or in local communities. Such experiments need a firm basis of trust.
Looking for Obama's agenda in SyriaAs killings in Syria worsen, more people look to Obama for action. But the mental preparation for action doesn't start with the White House.
Is an end to war-time rape at a tipping point?The G8 nations agreed Thursday to a British plan to go after those who rape in war zones, hoping to end this atrocity as a weapon in conflicts. Perhaps this big-power move will mark a historic shift in ending a global problem.
A path to peace in land, resource disputesA Taiwan-Japan agreement on fisheries near the Senkaku islands sets a model for China in avoiding dangerous moves on island claims.
Are gun politics too complex? Simplicity would help.As the Newtown families plead for Congress to act, lawmakers 鈥� and President Obama 鈥� admit to the complexity of gun issues. Scholars on simplicity offer some ideas.
What made Margaret Thatcher special in her timeMargaret Thatcher's leadership qualities were essential for Britain and the world of the 1980s, but her failings also provide lessons for leaders today.
Can hope replace North Korea's fears?The escalation of fear between North Korea and the US reveals the danger of relying too much on fear of retaliatory nuclear attacks as a strategy for defense. The difficult task of replacing North Korea's fears with hopes of peace and prosperity must continue.
Facebook 'Home' as metaphor for an innovative economyThe new Facebook 'Home' is designed for a pure social experience, or encouraging more collaboration 鈥� the very quality needed to drive innovation in the workplace and spur economic growth.
Australia's example in healing the sexually abusedA special panel begins work taking testimony from Australians sexually abused as children in institutions, such as churches and police stations. Allowing victims to speak will be a first step toward personal healing and national reform.
How a Wal-Mart struggle in India shows world progressStung by a case of corruption in Mexico, Wal-Mart pushes its Indian associates to be squeaky clean. Such action shows the global effects of a US anti-corruption law.
Amid another North Korea storm, look who's calmSouth Koreans, unlike many around the world, don't react with fear to North Korea's verbal and nuclear threats. Why this wise reaction?
In Atlanta test-cheating scandal, a case for 'good apples'Indictments of 35 Atlanta educators in a test-cheating scandal may be shocking. But preventing such scandals requires a refocus on tapping the conscience of public servants to choose honesty.
When helping the poor doesn't helpIn a new study, the International Monetary Fund takes aim at energy subsidies, a common practice by countries to help the poor or benefit consumers and industry. The costs far outweigh any benefits, especially for the poor, finds the IMF.
Why a BRICS 'world bank' may be welcomeThe so-called BRICS 'club' of nations 鈥� Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa 鈥� plan to start a development bank to rival the World Bank. This challenge to the Western-driven liberal order relies to a large part on that order.
What we can do about income inequalityA new Brookings Institution study points to a 'permanent' inequality of income in the US, mainly because workers haven't adapted to rapid technological change. Reducing this underclass starts with workers themselves.
In Cyprus rescue, EU steps on a basic freedomIn allowing Cyprus to impose capital controls, the EU violates one of its founding principles 鈥� the free flow of money (and goods) to help unite nations.
A model to end Washington gridlock: MexicoSince its political leaders signed a pact for national reform in December, Mexico has been on a roll. The country's suffering from self-inflicted gridlock was reason enough for consensus and change.
Typecasting 'AfPak'The West's clich茅s about Pakistan and Afghanistan don't match the signs of democratic progress or opposition to Islamic radicals like the Taliban.