All The Monitor's View
Wisconsin recall election as a wake-up callThe Wisconsin recall election for Gov. Scott Walker turned out not to be as partisan as expected. This fits a national trend in bipartisan reform of benefits for state and local workers.
Euro crisis can build European identityWhen European Union leaders meet in late June, they will weigh ideas that point to more political unity as a way to stem the euro crisis. Will Europeans give up more national sovereignty?
Cyberattacks challenge ideas of war 鈥� and peaceIf the US, China, and others adopt hidden methods of aggression like cyberwarfare, the nature of conflict will change rapidly. So, too, must peacemaking.
Diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth IIAs Britain celebrates the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth's 1952 ascension to the throne, it can also assess her legacy in balancing the monarch's duty as 'supreme governor' of the Church of England with being head of state.
Ban on sex-selection abortions? Change attitudes toward girls instead.A GOP bill up for a vote in the House would ban sex-selective abortions, most of which abort females. Such laws are far less effective than changing public thinking about the value of girls and women to families and society.
Righting wrongs in China depends on rightsDissident Chen Guangcheng is speaking out about the need for rule of law in China. But the party is slowly accepting individual rights. And studies show those few rights are yielding positive results.
Egypt elections: a test of hard-won civic valuesThe final round of Egypt's presidential elections has two candidates who must appeal more broadly to Egyptian demands for equality and freedom. Both candidates need to compromise with pro-democracy groups.
Syria massacre: a moment of truth to end the liesThe massacre of women and children in Houla, Syria, finally forces Russia to stop defending the denials of Bashar al-Assad in the killing of innocent civilians by Syrian forces.
Message from Google chief: Have a heart 鈥� turn off this screenGoogle chief Eric Schmidt suggests young people drop their screen time for some real conversation, heart to heart. Being better connected digitally isn't the best way to develop social skills.
Obama and the contraception mandateThe Obama administration plans to exempt only certain types of religious institutions from the health-care law's mandate for coverage of birth control. But in doing so, it redefines religion, which not only steps on a basic liberty but a basic understanding of religion's role in society.
SpaceX launch to space station: humanity finds new wingsIf all goes well, the first private capsule will dock at the space station Thursday, marking a historic turning point in the use of private space companies. This will help free up NASA for riskier space exploration.
Hope, resiliency, and unity mark the Joplin tornado anniversaryOne the worst tornadoes in US history hit Joplin a year ago. The Missouri city has good reason to now celebrate its path to recovery.
At G8 summit, US taps into Africa's 'cheetah generation'For the G8 summit, Obama unveils a promise by private firms to invest $3 billion in raising Africa's farm productivity. Many young Africans, dubbed 'cheetahs,' are posed for effective private investment.
At Chicago summit, NATO must take stock of its big shouldersThe NATO summit in Chicago can overcome the alliance's current woes about Afghanistan and defense cuts by remembering how unique NATO is in history as a club of democracies with shared principles and interests.
What the world's poor can teach us on jobsThe prospect of long-term joblessness in Europe and the US should focus attention on a new type of economics that seems to work for helping the worst-off in poor countries.
States should fold on Internet gamblingCalifornia and New Jersey, each seek more revenue, are leading the states toward Internet gambling, starting with online poker. But this all-too-easy form of gaming would come with at a high cost to society 鈥� and government.
Nonviolent tactics may be Syria's only path to freedomAn escalation of violence in Syria, as well as the enfeebled UN cease-fire, have revived the tactics of civil, peaceful resistance among many of Syria's democracy activists. Nonviolent means may be their ultimate force.
What next for JPMorgan Chase and Jamie Dimon after $2 billion lossThe JPMorgan Chase $2 billion loss again shows why big banks pose a big risk 鈥� as seen in the admission of mismanagement by Jamie Dimon. The selfless purpose of a financial system in the economy must override the selfish risks of giantness in banks.
Green accounting of economic growthA World Bank study offers a new attempt to reconcile growth-oriented economics with Earth-oriented environmentalism. But can economists put price tags on nature?
Law of the Sea Treaty as a peace tool for USSenate approval of the Law of the Sea Treaty would help the US counter China's aggressive moves to claim islands near the Philippines and other Asian neighbors.