All Commentary
OpinionTo help world's children reach fifth birthday, look to this Bangladesh programAn innovative development program in Bangladesh is defying child mortality rates, ensuring children grow healthier and taller, by empowering women and educating families about nutrition. Global leaders should heed its successful model.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveWells that never run dryA 海角大神 Science perspective: How God's mercy and care continue to provide and to comfort, whatever we may face.
The Monitor's ViewFacebook IPO as a measure of social trustFacebook's 900 million users are a trusting lot, in each other and Mark Zuckerberg. The Facebook IPO on May 18 will be a rare measure of trust in this one-seventh of humanity.
OpinionFCC chairman: Time to let public TV raise money for charitiesWe at the FCC have proposed relaxing the ban that keeps public noncommercial TV stations from doing third-party fundraising for charities. The change won't hinder the educational mission of these stations, but help them fulfill it by raising awareness and meeting community needs.
OpinionChina's deal for Chen Guangcheng: latest signal of desire for better US tiesChina鈥檚 deal to allow blind dissident lawyer Chen Guangcheng to exit the country to study in the US, the Bo Xiliai purge, successful bilateral talks with the US, and other developments indicate that Beijing may be committed to some reforms 鈥� and warming relations with Washington.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveA spiritual cure for chronic fatigueA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewEurope looks for The AvengersThe results of the French and Greek elections signal a popular mood that alien forces 鈥� markets, immigrants, trade 鈥� need to be defeated. But the reality isn't like The Avengers film.
OpinionFran莽ois Hollande 鈥� no more 'Mr. Pudding'?Style 鈥� more than policy differences on austerity 鈥� separated聽Socialist winner Fran莽ois Hollande from Nicolas Sarkozy in the French presidential elections.聽France may have simply preferred Hollande, dubbed 'Mr. Pudding,' over bombastic Sarkozy. But Hollande may not be so soft.
Russia's one-man brandLike too many Russian leaders, Vladimir Putin's long shadow makes it hard to see the real owners of Russia -- its people.- Readers RespondReaders Write: Israel could be a threat and Obama should be praised on IranLetters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of May 7, 2012: John Bolton is wrong. Obama is protecting the US and world economy from a disastrous attack on Iran. It's Israel that has the nukes. And the best way to foment regime change in Iran is to support the opposition there.聽
Global ViewpointGerhard Schr枚der: Don't strangle Europe with austerityEurope is churning after anti-austerity elections in Greece and France, where Socialist Fran莽ois Hollande ousted Nicolas Sarkozy. Europe must now shift from pure austerity toward growth. It must also keep working toward closer political union.聽Both moves will help Germany's economy.- Global ViewpointGerhard Schr枚der: Don't strangle Europe with austerityEurope is churning after anti-austerity elections in Greece and France, where Socialist Fran莽ois Hollande ousted Nicolas Sarkozy. Europe must now shift from pure austerity toward growth. It must also keep working toward closer political union.聽Both moves will help Germany's economy.
- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveUnity and spirituality in RussiaA 海角大神 Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewAmerica's open door to Chinese activist ChenAmerica's tradition of openness led Chen Guangcheng to knock on its embassy door. Now that openness may allow him to study in the US. The strength of many a country lies in being open to people, ideas, and technology.
OpinionFor a 2012 Obama win, hip-hop stars must 'Barack the vote' like they did in 2008Rap and hip-hop artists have turned down the volume on their once-boisterous efforts to rally their fans 鈥� a key part of President Obama鈥檚 base 鈥� to support him in 2012.聽To see Obama take office for a second term, the hip-hop community needs to return to the momentum it built in 2008.
OpinionHow to stop 'the end of men' 鈥� bring it onMy buddies and I are stifling a laugh.聽We don鈥檛 read much. But we hear the buzz about books like 'The Decline of Men' or 'Manning Up: How the Rise of Women Has Turned Men into Boys.' And we're聽cool with the experts鈥� solutions to our problems. In fact, we're delighted.- A 海角大神 Science PerspectiveA conversation with 'Someone' I loveA 海角大神 Science perspective: How this writer found comfort and freedom from loneliness after her husband passed on.
The Monitor's ViewFinally, European debt crisis goes to the pollsElections in France and Greece may help quell a rising sense of victimhood from this long euro crisis. Such popular sentiment is exactly what the European Union is meant to curb.
OpinionBlame China, not Obama or US, for the plight of activist Chen GuangchengBeijing, not US mishandling, is responsible for activist Chen's predicament. The US often needs to balance its concern for human rights in favor of Beijing鈥檚 cooperation on pressing global issues. This is not one of those times. Obama must stand up to China to defend Chen鈥檚 rights.
OpinionIf Hollande wins French election, Europe won't collapse 鈥� just shift a bitSocialist Fran莽ois Hollande may well win the French presidential election. But don't expect a big brawl or gridlock with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over austerity and debt. Markets will keep Hollande in check. And then there's the tradition of German-French cooperation.