All The Monitor's View
Africa outshines UN in protecting civiliansWhile the UN Security Council allows Syria to slide further toward sectarian genocide, the African Union acts boldly to prevent mass atrocities in Burundi 鈥� under the UN's own doctrine of 鈥榬esponsibility to protect.鈥�
The UN's faith in Libyan peacemongersTo reach a deal signed Thursday, the UN focused on people in Libya most interested in peace, not just the most powerful that rule parts of the country. This bottom-up approach, if it works, is a model in diplomacy.
Pakistan鈥檚 self-reflection, a year after its deadliest terror attackOn Dec. 16, Pakistan marked the first anniversary of a Taliban attack that killed more than 100 children. The nation has since stiffened against militants, while some question the quick labeling of terrorists as 鈥榥ot Muslim.鈥�
The integrity at the heart of Brazil鈥檚 anti-corruption sweepA few youthful and often US-educated prosecutors have unearthed Brazil鈥檚 largest corruption scandal by challenging a deep culture of impunity. They are a model for other nations also in need of honest governance.
What Saudi women voting says of the MideastGiven their first chance to vote, more than 80 percent of Saudi women showed up at the polls Dec. 12. The social trends that were behind the Arab Spring are alive and well, pointing to a different future in the Middle East than one of war and Islamic caliphates.
Paris pact on climate change: What鈥檚 fear got to do with it?Fearmongering took a back seat to other tactics during the Paris negotiations. The result: a universal agreement with historic goals relying more on trust, humility, and compassion.
Coming clean on corruption鈥檚 links to pollutionA common link lies in VW鈥檚 emissions cheating and the air-quality alerts in China, India, and Indonesia. Arrogant dishonesty can lead to pollution. As VW now admits, leaders must learn to act with humility.
Does Islamic State have a heart? Red Cross hopes so.The international Red Cross is trying to persuade Islamic State to let in neutral aid workers to treat millions of civilians. The effort is part of a broader and needed effort to get all states and nonstate actors to comply with humanitarian law.
In Venezuela, a need for magnanimity in victoryAn election provides a stunning win for pro-democracy forces over a domineering ruler. Now Venezuela, with the world鈥檚 worst-performing economy, needs handshakes across a big political divide to make reforms.
Obama鈥檚 call for Muslims to stand upAmong the president鈥檚 anti-Islamic State tactics is an appeal to Muslim leaders to assert an Islam based on universal values such as dignity, respect, and tolerance. Yet the US and Europe also must embrace these values to defeat all types of terrorism.
A cool consensus emerges on global warmingMany nations, rich and poor, find it hard to end fuel subsidies. Several poor nations have made moves to do so while Europe plans to temporarily keep fossil fuel power plants in reserve. The Paris talks on climate change must build on this consensus.
Protest, not numbness, in response to mass shootingsA rapid rise in mass shootings like the latest in San Bernardino should not lead Americans to resignation. Rather their search for a motive, the care for victims, and a debate over solutions instead reveal a protest for the power of good over evil.
Diplomatic oil on Middle East's trouble watersThe region is in unprecedented turmoil, from Islamic State to Libya鈥檚 civil war, but almost as unprecedented are the attempts to negotiate the many conflicts.
When nations step up for the global commonsFrom climate talks to the war on Islamic State, a few nations have lately shown greater global leadership. This wider embrace of humanity deserves notice.
False promises in fantasy sports gambling聽New York鈥檚 lawsuit against DraftKings and FanDuel forces the companies to admit how few people win in wagering on fantasy sports 鈥� contradicting their previous claims of winning.
A test for motives in banking: ending bonusesThe new head of Germany鈥檚 largest bank challenges the financial industry by questioning the use of bonuses as a worthy incentive for providing service to customers. High finance needs more such ethical reflection.
Italy's artful arsenal against Islamic StateThe prime minister plans to spend $1 billion in shaping the 鈥榗ultural identity鈥� of refugees from Syria and Iraq as a creative riposte to Islamic State鈥檚 destruction of art.
Where Muslims are a learning experienceith their strong diversity of faiths, college campuses are essential training grounds to teach tomorrow鈥檚 leaders about interfaith cooperation, including engagement with Muslims.
Argentina鈥檚 pivot from PeronismSunday鈥檚 election of a president with a reconciliatory style may upend the populist ruling style created by Juan and Eva Per贸n.
The other front against Islamic State: self-defeating fearPresident Obama pleads not to let fear of Islamic State or Syrian refugees play into IS hands. He鈥檚 right but must do more in this critical homefront against the purveyors of fear.聽