All The Monitor's View
Merkel's leadership style on trial in UkraineAs the West's main negotiator with Russia, the German leader has tried to redefine power in Europe. Yet her patience, restraint, and step-by-step diplomacy are being tested by Putin. Germany must be able to show how the Continent can live in peace.
When sensational images are a click awayRecent videos of Americans being beheaded and stolen images of nude celebrities call for Internet user to have better discernment on the easy choices in viewing such visuals.
Hong Kong's pearl of great priceLong known for its freedoms, Hong Kong faces a plan by China to restrict democracy by limiting candidates in the territory's elections. At the same time, China plans more freedom for its consumers and investors. The Communist Party sits on a contradiction.
The answer to Islamic State: by sword 鈥� or word?More than by military attacks, the Islamic State, commonly known as ISIS or ISIL, can be defeated if more Muslims counter its message that faith can come through coerced acts of presumed piety rather than freely chosen spiritual understanding.
A real peace for Israel, GazaA cease-fire in the latest war between Israel and Hamas must lead to reconstruction of Gaza, controlled by moderate Palestinians in the West Bank. Israel should support an active peace, not merely a long 'quiet' in hostilities.
NATO on Russia's border: a check, not a threatNATO's plan for long-term rotation of troops in its eastern states is well tailored as a deterrence and not a provocation to Russia. The alliance's strategic patience with Putin reflects not a desire for victory but hopes for a nonaggressive Russia.
A global nix on nicotine's new delivery systemMost nations help people be free of tobacco addiction. Now the WHO wants a ban on indoor use of 'electronic nicotine delivery systems,' or e-cigarettes, as well as their sale to children. A global meeting in October should endorse such steps.
In Ebola crisis, time to honor the nursesAfrica's frontline health workers against Ebola are nurses. Some have died while many have been ostracized by family or friends. They may find comfort in a new digital archive of Florence Nightingale's writings, freely accessible on the Web.
Job creation and global economic rapportLast week's gathering of top central bankers reflects how much governments have learned to work together since the Great Recession to prevent 'spillovers' of their economic and financial actions.
Amid war and beheadings, Iraq's fresh startIraq has tapped a new leader who represents a possible inclusive leadership that can heal religious and ethnic divisions, based on unity around constitutional rights.
Putin鈥檚 backward gazeBy moving on Ukraine, Vladimir Putin looks to the past when he should be envisioning a fresh future for Russia.
America鈥檚 rainbow schoolsThe most diverse group of students ever will enter public schools this fall. With help from adults, they will shine.
Smarter police workBuilding trust can help prevent another Ferguson, Mo.
Will a robot take your job?Experts are divided, but humans can still decide what will happen
There鈥檚 gold in college sports ...... and that鈥檚 the problem
Women鈥檚 breakthroughsMaryam Mirzakhani has won the 鈥楴obel Prize鈥� of mathematics to crack another glass ceiling. And she鈥檚 not alone.
Scotland鈥檚 big decisionA Sept. 18 referendum on independence raises questions about diversity and democracy.
Supermoons and beyondLate summer has rewarded sky-watchers with visual wonders. But there鈥檚 even more out there to ponder.
Redefining age in aging societiesTo keep ahead of an aging society, Britain now has an 'older workers' champion.' The big task, as more people in advanced nations put off retirement, is to shift attitudes about what is 'old.'
The world stake in Khmer Rouge convictionsGlobal progress in seeking justice after mass atrocities gained a step with the first verdict against senior Khmer Rouge leaders.