All The Monitor's View
Obama鈥檚 trip to Africa changes a narrativeThe highlight of Obama鈥檚 trip to Africa will be a summit on how to support entrepreneurs. US support for start-up businesses reflects a different approach to lifting the continent.
Talks with the Taliban: Can Afghanistan set an example?The Afghan government held its first-ever talks with the Taliban, and if a second round occurs in coming days, a strong precedent may be set for negotiating peace with violent Islamic groups.
Vigilance that prevents domestic terrorismThe Chattanooga shootings, coming soon after the Charleston killings, call for better ways to reach troubled young men tempted by extreme views.聽
After Iran, is North Korea next?Obama鈥檚 nuclear deal with Iran is based on faith in Iran changing in 10 to 15 years and becoming less threatening. His approach should now be tested with North Korea.
Taiwan's model of women leadersAsia鈥檚 next step in its progress toward democracy will be a presidential election in Taiwan in which one of two women candidates will be elected in her own right.
An Uber challenge in presidential raceThe election contest has already begun to grapple with the new economy of the 鈥榳orker-entrepreneur.鈥� Each party may need to shed old notions about the source of wealth.
Why more countries woo foreign investorsWhen Mexico sells oil plots to foreign investors or China creates special zones of freedom for foreign firms, they do so for more than material gain.
Deeper opportunities in Iran nuclear pactThe nuclear deal with Iran must withstand many tests to achieve its aim. Yet also worth testing is whether it will lessen conflicts within the Muslim world, especially over the use of violence in the name of Islam.
Europe鈥檚 silver lining in the Greek dealThe Greek crisis taught the European Union that a single currency needs greater political union. The reform plan for Greece includes a way to track its financial obligations to the eurozone.
When government shares data about itselfHacks of data held by governments about citizens are troubling. But governments providing information online about how they work and spend tax dollars is a good thing.
New paths to sustainable energyThe US and other countries will be making ambitious commitments to cut carbon emissions. But at the same time new ways to do it keep bubbling up.
Goals that sparked progressThe UN鈥檚 2015 Millennium Development Goals failed to end global poverty or disease. But they did trigger remarkable steps forward.
Iraq-Syria solution will need more than bombs and bootsAn effective military strategy must spring from asking deeper questions.
A women鈥檚 World Cup to rememberExciting, skillful play was just part of the story. So were sportsmanship and a growing, family-oriented fan base.
A new unity of focus on the heroin tradeA coming UN special session on drugs will be a timely help for the center of the rising global trade in heroin, Afghanistan. The world must unite to set a norm against addiction.
Fresh eyes on Jerusalem鈥檚 stubborn impasseFor too long, the issue of Muslim and Jewish access to their holy sites in Jerusalem鈥檚 Old City has been seen as intractable. But a new report suggests religious leaders can help solve what is at heart a religious issue.
Obama鈥檚 silence on spillover of legal potColorado鈥檚 legalization of marijuana has prompted a suit before the Supreme Court and a request for President Obama to take a position. Here鈥檚 why he should side with the suit by Oklahoma and Nebraska.聽
Of kings, lawmakers, and 'we the people'Just as the world celebrates Magna Carta, the Supreme Court rules that popular referendums can, in effect, be the same as a legislature. The search for a natural law of self-governance goes on.
After same-sex marriage ruling, a way to reconcileNo matter what one thinks of the Supreme Court's decision in favor of same-sex marriage, both sides need a better understanding of dignity to avoid future duels in the courts or legislatures.
The court's choice words in 'Obamacare' rulingA theme runs through Chief Justice Roberts's rulings upholding aspects of the Affordable Care Act. In the latest one on federal insurance exchanges, he again emphasizes freedom and choice.