All The Monitor's View
For the Mideast, an anniversary to rememberThe 25th anniversary of the Gulf War liberated Kuwait from Iraqi rule 鈥� and it helped leave Kuwait as a relatively good counterpoint to the region鈥檚 extremism.
A morality tale in Argentina鈥檚 debt epiphanyA newly elected president is near a deal to end Argentina鈥檚 long debt woes. The country鈥檚 15-year saga provides a lesson for a world awash in red ink.聽
Oil鈥檚 fall may be democracy鈥檚 riseThe biggest oil producers, which are trying to prop up global prices, are also among the last countries to make reforms that will lift them from a 鈥榬esource curse.鈥�
Reclaim civility for the 2016 electionsAs presidential candidates slip toward slurs and shouting, other leaders as well as citizens must preserve the power of civility in public discourse.
Unsung heroes who rescue Syria鈥檚 refugeesAs peace talks falter and the war in Syria escalates, one good constant has been the compassionate welcome and rescue of refugees by common residents in neighboring states. Good examples can be found on Greek islands.
Making the world safe for anti-corruption whistle-blowersA Ukrainian official鈥檚 resignation over corruption prompts an unusually strong response from world bodies. The global campaign against official wrongdoing has made it easier for many people to stand up for honest governance.
Hong Kong鈥檚 lessons in coping with ChinaA Feb. 8 riot and police crackdown in Hong Kong reveals the harsher hand of China but also a dilemma for the territory on how to deal with Beijing鈥檚 fear of dissent. The world must watch how Hong Kong decides.
Mercy for Myanmar's military?As she and her winning party prepare to run Parliament, Aung San Suu Kyi faces pressure from the military鈥檚 millions of victims for revenge. She wisely argues to allow the Army to reform.
Fixing both Flint and its water pipesThe water-pollution tragedy in Flint deserves quick solutions but the city鈥檚 citizens, led by a new mayor, are also rightly looking at rebuilding the trust necessary to improve democratic governance.
Lessons for Syria from ColombiaAs it nears a historic peace deal to end a long civil war, Colombia鈥檚 leaders say the key was giving the victims of the conflict a seat at the table. It created a tender mutuality and compassion that eased the peace process.
Winning peace for minorities in Muslim landsEnding terrorist attacks on religious minorities will require more than weapons. Since 9/11, more scholars are challenging Muslims and others to embrace ideas that prevent religious violence.
Iowa鈥檚 eye-opener on what America鈥檚 youth seekThree of the four winners in the Iowa caucuses are anti-establishment politicians who drew strongly on under-35 voters. Will America鈥檚 future be defined by the youth vote in this presidential contest?
US role in ending a Central American warGangs are so big in El Salvador that the region is in a virtual war that has spillover effects in the US. The solution lies in keeping young people out of the gangs.
Why US can鈥檛 ignore Colorado鈥檚 pot 鈥榚xperiment鈥�Evidence keeps rolling in that the Rocky Mountain state鈥檚 marijuana legalization, in clear violation of federal drug laws, has negative spillovers. If federal officials won鈥檛 act, other states should take heed of legal weed.
The year of living more honestlyA global ranking of countries on corruption finds more are improving. Are people more demanding of honest governance? If so, they are taking different paths.
A calm lesson for the Zika scare from the Ebola crisisThe 2014-15 Ebola outbreak taught health workers some lessons that can be used to stem Zika. First lesson: Fear of an epidemic should not be allowed to create an epidemic of fear.
Another model of 海角大神-Muslim harmony?Talks to reunify the Mediterranean island of Cyprus are looking up, perhaps adding a new voice to others in the region that Muslim-海角大神 coexistence is possible. That鈥檚 a key tool against Islamic State.
Why even the Super Bowl needs a gambling shieldAs online gambling rises, UN and Olympic officials rush to prevent match-fixing by betting syndicates. Athletes who are clean deserve better protection from the corruption of gamblers.
The right campaign debate on how to fix 鈥榃all Street鈥�Presidential candidates rail against the financial industry, but the best reform may be happening with moves by big firms toward 鈥榩atient capitalism.鈥�
For a world in gloom, a new torchbearerAt a gathering of hand-wringing world leaders in Switzerland, Canada鈥檚 new prime minister was all palms up, offering advice on how openness and fearlessness can help solve global challenges.