All The Monitor's View
Why Syrian refugees don鈥檛 flee to Islamic State caliphateThe image of Syrians escaping to the West undercuts just one of Islamic State鈥檚 false narratives. The group鈥檚 many errors are eroding its allure, say defectors, hastening its demise. Containment by the West may be as effective as drones.
Next up as a region of peace: AsiaAs China and Japan shift their military postures, Asia must follow other regions that seek to become 鈥榸ones of peace.鈥� It has a model in ASEAN, a body in Southeast Asia that for decades has presumed peace as the norm.
Merkel as 鈥榤other鈥� to a European conscienceGerman leader Angela Merkel keeps rising in moral authority with each new crisis: Greece, Ukraine, and now a flood of refugees. Ever mindful of its nationalist past, Germany finds a role in uniting Europe around universal values.
Syrian refugees as Trojan horse for Islamic State?In Europe and the US, many leaders stoke fears of Syrian refugees as hiding Islamic State fighters. Not only is this fear unfounded but it only helps IS in its recruitment.
Why new democracies still need foreign poll-watchersMyanmar鈥檚 welcoming of foreign election observers for its Nov. 8 vote reflects the progress in setting international norms for free and fair voting.
A calm center for the immigration debateEmotions are running high in Europe and the US about migrants or refugees. There is a way to keep a civil discourse.
College football: Don鈥檛 pander to bettorsESPN鈥檚 鈥榗over alerts鈥� tie college sports ever closer to gambling.
Getting personal with corporate crimeThe US Justice Department plans to favor prosecution of individual wrongdoers over the levying of corporate fines.
Europe鈥檚 migrant challengeNot all countries may be able to benefit from the influx of newcomers; but all of Europe must share the load.
A still relevant monarchAs Queen Elizabeth II becomes Britain's longest-serving monarch her reign seems to be enjoying a renaissance.
Fearless Guatemala's lessons for Latin AmericaPeaceful protests that helped oust the Guatemalan president set a template for rejecting the fears that keep corruption in place.聽聽Seven months of a popular rising also showed the power of shared ideals in demanding honest governance.
China鈥檚 voice in the global operaAs Chinese leader Xi Jinping holds a summit with President Obama and takes command of the G20, he must also define what values China offers as it tries to reshape the international system.
New ways to protect the innocent in warAs the nature of war changes, the International Committee of the Red Cross is struggling to ensure compliance with the humanitarian principles of the Geneva Conventions. Even the most extreme militants must be convinced of the need to protect civilians.
Seeing Ukraine as an opportunityA renewed cease-fire, debt restructuring, and more reforms are helping transform Ukraine from a crisis into an opportunity for Europe.
The global call for more border wallsDonald Trump鈥檚 promise of a secure wall on the US-Mexican border reflects a trend in many nations to fortify their boundaries. A better course lies in more cooperation between countries and tackling root causes of perceived border threats.
Saying 鈥榬ubbish鈥� in Lebanon to politics by faithA garbage-pickup crisis has sparked protests aimed at fixing a government stalemated for too long by the attempt to balance religious rivalry. Lebanon may set an example in the Mideast for government based on individual equality regardless of faith.聽
North Korea鈥檚 old ruse faltersNorth Korea鈥檚 latest violent provocation of South Korea ended with an agreement that appears to break an old pattern. The South may have learned how to deal with the North鈥檚 attempts to intimidate.
Africa鈥檚 democratic road to economic unityWith the launch of an ambitious project to form a free-trade zone, Africa must also realize that trade is best enhanced when states are democratic.
New Orleans鈥� thanks for post-Katrina volunteersTo mark the 10th anniversary of its devastating hurricane, New Orleans called on citizens to volunteer in service projects, a celebration of the generosity shown the city by private givers over the past decade.
Taproot for Europe's migrant crisisThe largest share of refugees streaming into Europe is from Syria. Solving the war there is as important as dealing with the symptom of Syrians crossing the Mediterranean to find peace.