All The Monitor's View
Marijuana legalization: Obama opposition too selectiveWhen Latin America talks of legalizing drugs, Obama officials speak up. What about ballot measures in Colorado and Washington Sate to approve marijuana legalization?
How to ignore thin fashion modelsA study in Europe links the fashion industry's use of super-thin models to the self-identity problems of many young women. The industry can do more to help girls find their true self-worth.
War talk on Iran forces the issue: Is Israel a formal US ally?Obama and Netanyahu can't agree on a threshold for attacking Iran if they also lack clarity on whether the US and Israel are formal allies. Will Israel abandon its strategy of defense self-reliance?
North Korea: When tests of trust turn global eventsA new pact between North Korea and the US will test the honesty of the regime's new leader, Kim Jong-un. Other countries, such as Iran and Greece, are also being tested because on their deceit.
Syria protests must stick to nonviolenceSaudi Arabia may be arming Syrian protesters as more of them turn to violence against Assad's brutality. They must not lose the moral force of peaceful tactics used in Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Obama apology to Afghans for Quran burning: All forgiven?Thousands of Afghan turned violent, some even killing American officers, despite the Obama apology for the 'inadvertent' Quran burning. Forgiveness doesn't come easily if an apology isn't seen as sincere.
Why America can 'make stuff' again 鈥� just not the old stuffObama and GOP candidates like Romney and Santorum compete in Rust Belt states like Michigan by promising a return to the heyday of manufacturing. They must instead focus on America's unique receptivity to new ideas for business.
'Friends of Syria': Which good cause will bring unity for action?At both the UN and at a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Tunisia, a consensus is steadily forming over which universal value can justify strong action on Syria.
God save the queen 鈥� and society 鈥� at lunchIn America and Britain, ideas to integrate a diverse society are being touted and tested. One idea is a 'big lunch' of neighbors for Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee. But can government enhance social cohesion?
Yemen election hints at Arab Spring's deeper meaningA popular vote Tuesday in Yemen appears to mark the fall of the fourth dictator in the Arab Spring. But in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and now Yemen, the post-dictator problems show why each Arab must embrace democratic ideals.
Lifting Africa from a mineral 'curse'The US and Europe are moving towards rules that would require their oil and mining industries to reveal all payments to foreign governments. Resource-rich but poor Africa will benefit from such transparency.
Privacy for children who use mobile appsApp stores and developers are lapse in helping parents protect the privacy of a child using smart phones and tablets. From Google to Apple, finds an FTC report, clear information is needed.
Which Iran is Obama dealing with?Events in recent days reveal two views of Iranian leaders: as either pragmatic to the pressure of sanctions or irrationally bent on terror and Israel's demise. So far, Obama is playing to Iranian rationality, reflected by the Iranian people.
Young people, post recession: Ready to launch?Post-recession data and the government's pro-elderly policies don't give much hope to Millennials. Yet they remain surprisingly optimistic.
Montana's challenge to 'super PACs'Montana's high court challenges the moral basis for the US Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling that spawned super PACs. The high court needs to rebalance free speech vs. democracy.
Obama's needed rapport with China's XiXin Jinping will be in power for a decade, so his visit to the US must establish a trust that can help smooth growing differences and prevent confrontations.
Reasons for Obama to aid Syria 鈥� other than moral onesObama intervened in Libya for humanitarian reasons 鈥� to prevent a slaughter. Why not in Syria 鈥� to end actual killing? Perhaps he needs the reasons of a realist.
The Obama birth-control mandateThe president's health-care regulation expanding access to birth control, including abortion pills, impinges on churches that oppose abortion, especially Catholic ones, by narrowly defining their religious activity to teaching only. Government must be wary of determining where the works of faith end.
Talk to Hamas? Talk to Taliban? Thank the Arab Spring for those possibilities.The Arab Spring's message of freedom through nonviolence has isolated Iran and Syria, helped elevate moderate Islamists, and pushed radical groups to weigh alternatives.
Wages of sin in Greek debt crisisAccepting a 22 percent wage cut is difficult when Greeks don't agree on responsibility for their debt crisis. Shared sacrifice would be easier if they owned up to their role.