All The Monitor's View
Where the accent is on meritScotland鈥檚 new leader, the first Muslim to lead a Western European state, adds to a growing embrace of values over personal identity.
In Iran and Israel, a march to equalityProtests in both countries against religious-based rule have won in their own way.
In baseball鈥檚 new rules, sacrifice fliesThe national pastime will pitch artistry over analytics, team play over individual glory.
Turkish delight in unity to save democracyAs more elected leaders around the world turn autocratic, Turkey shows how opposition parties can put aside divisions to save basic rights and liberties.聽
Breaking the fear of witchcraft in AfricaThe African Union鈥檚 new guidelines for uprooting an entrenched source of fear and violence shed light on the value of empathy and kindness.
Can integrity be taught? Just watch Ukraine.To prepare for postwar reconstruction, the country promises to train officials in honesty and fairness.
A court spells out what鈥檚 at stake in UkraineAn arrest warrant for Russia鈥檚 president from the International Criminal Court signals universal justice must apply to abducted Ukrainian children.
What drives the Saudi-Iran detenteAutocratic leaders in both countries face demands from youth for social liberties, with Saudi Arabia far ahead.
Green energy from the grassrootsCitizen-led renewable projects in Europe are shaping a cleaner future.
A bottom-up approach to authentic peaceTop-down solutions to violent conflicts often don鈥檛 last. More peace builders are now listening to local people鈥檚 indicators of what constitutes peace.
Gender equality as a source of economic renewalSri Lanka鈥檚 many upheavals last year have led to new financial discipline and measures to uplift women, delighting foreign creditors and perhaps setting a model for the global debt crisis.
One way to escape Russia鈥檚 orbitMass protests in Georgia against Russian-style political repression give that former Soviet state a taste of democratic harmony.
Spotting sprouts of democracyThe world鈥檚 shift toward fewer liberties and rights may be bottoming out, according to Freedom House. Nigeria鈥檚 recent election shows the potential for progress.
Why the high-fives for a high seas treatyA 193-nation agreement to protect ocean life reflects decades of progress toward a vision of all life as a shared聽commons beyond state exploitation.
A sure basis for workplace equalityNew laws requiring wage disclosure are meant to promote equality between male and female employees. Yet a faster route might lie in fostering qualities from both genders.
South Korea鈥檚 olive branch to JapanThe president鈥檚 plan to compensate wartime Korean victims starts with a recognition that any redress by Japan must be voluntary.
Venezuela鈥檚 latent civic reservesAn autocrat鈥檚 harsh misrule and isolation have only strengthened a popular hunger for justice and equality.
How women are defying despotsAs leaders of recent mass protests in China, Russia, and Iran, women gained a 鈥渘ew understanding of female agency.鈥�
Building blocks for compassionate citiesBoston鈥檚 attempt to turn vacant lots and buildings into vibrant and affordable communities is a start for setting a new model for urban renewal.
A win against Russia 鈥� outside UkraineOnce close to Moscow, Serbia accepts a plan to end acrimony with Kosovo, signaling a desire to curb aggressive ethnic nationalism by peaceful means.