All The Monitor's View
A parachute for Americans on their fiscal cliffThe hard decisions in the fiscal cliff negotiations between the GOP and Democrats would be easier if lawmakers could point to other nations that have seen the benefits of fiscal discipline in lifting an economy.
US pivot to Mexico?A new leader of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, takes office with enough hope of reform that it argues for the US to draw closer to its neighbor.
A case of Obamacare and religious libertyOn Monday, the Supreme Court ordered a lower court to decide on a case involving a clash between religious liberty and Obamacare. Government must tread lightly in defining religion as a way to achieve universal health care and increase access to contraceptives.
Cyber Monday's sales success fits one Internet trendThe more Internet phenomena like Cyber Monday shake up old ways, the more governments try to control the Internet. A meeting of global communications regulators in December will test such a government role.
Why the UN must respond to rebels splitting CongoBefore rebels known as M23 split up Congo any further, the United Nations must help this giant African nation find a unifying identity. The same goes for Rwanda.
Makings of a real Thanksgiving? Hospitality to strangers.Opening one's home at Thanksgiving to those less fortunate evokes the spirit of that first feast of gratitude between Pilgrims and Indians 鈥� a shared table of different peoples.
A path to peace in Israel-Gaza conflictThe new Arab democracies such as Egypt present a different dynamic to help resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, such as the current violence over Gaza. New models for peaceful mediation are needed.
Pentagon can recover from Petraeus and Allen scandalsThe Petraeus affair and the 'inappropriate' e-mails of Gen. John Allen push defense chief Leon Panetta to demand changes in the military's ethical culture. But conduct by the book also needs conduct by a conscience that knows right from wrong.
China's new leaders can't rule by pedigreeXi Jinping, the new leader of the Communist Party, takes power along with others as descendants of Mao's revolutionary elite. But China needs rulers open to change, not those who cling to hereditary privilege.
A model leader for Syria?A moderate Muslim preacher who suffered as a freedom fighter in Syria has been chosen as opposition leader to Assad. Now, Moaz al-Khatib must unite a people torn by civil war and religion.
'Petraeus scandal' as a mirror on marriageAs the 'Petraeus scandal' widens with probes and politics, it should also throw a spotlight on the state of marriage.
Election winners and losersAmericans voted in large numbers. But voters need to be better served at the polls. Meanwhile, Republicans must pause to reflect.
Look outward, ObamaThe president鈥檚 domestic agenda may consist of making compromises with Republicans. But overseas he is freer to act. And there鈥檚 much that needs his attention.
After Obama victory: Come together, right nowPresident Obama and Republicans need to work together, weather criticism from their bases, and make a tough, fair, and necessary deal to avoid the 鈥榝iscal cliff.鈥�
China鈥檚 backroom politicsWhile US presidential candidates openly campaigned to win votes, China鈥檚 new leaders were chosen in secret by a shadowy elite.
Election Day: Voting is our 鈥榗ivic sacrament鈥�Apathy keeps many Americans away from the polls. They figure their vote is meaningless among millions of others. But that鈥檚 not true. Go vote.- Good riddance, Sandy. Hello sea barriers?Individuals and government have done much that is praiseworthy in the recovery effort following superstorm Sandy. But what should be done to prevent the next disaster?
The steady gain of humanityBeyond alarming headlines, a deeper look reveals progress 鈥� and the prospect of even more if we address the big challenges ahead.
When tweets repeat a lieSocial media sites spread a lot of misinformation on superstorm Sandy. But they also helped keep people informed 鈥� and even corrected their own mistakes.
After superstorm Sandy, is there really a Romney-Obama feud over FEMA?Sandy reopened a debate over government response to disasters. But FEMA and states know their roles pretty well by now 鈥� compassion in a crisis is best directed locally, with FEMA as backup.