All The Monitor's View
The impetus driving an anti-lynching billSenate passage of a bill defining lynching as a hate crime is long in coming. But if a new Congress in 2019 can finally address this brutal practice, it will at least highlight how moral progress is made.
Hold off the forecasts of doomDespite its 鈥榳orst of times鈥� feel, the world in 2018 made progress. And more should be expected in 2019.
New missiles and old treatiesRussia tested a potentially much more lethal nuclear missile yesterday. At the same time the US seems ready to abandon hard-won current arms control treaties.
Those tiny flying intrudersThe drones that buzzed London鈥檚 Gatwick airport earlier this month show that these little unmanned aircraft need more attention from authorities.
When Christmas bells ringLong ago an American found comfort and inspiration listening to them. They can still chime in hearts today.
Beneath the bowl game glamourThe holidays are festooned with televised college football. But the sport needs to care more for its players.
Facebook鈥檚 terrible, horrible yearThe social media giant has been the subject of congressional hearings and numerous investigations for its casual sharing of user data. Now it needs to do the hard work to reshape itself as an ethical entity.
Joining hands on migrationA US-Mexican agreement recognizes that solutions to the flow of migrants begin with improving conditions in Central America 鈥� and聽with working together on the problem.
Climate change action goes homeThe just-concluded COP24 conference in Poland took only a few modest steps forward. What each country does now will determine whether real progress can be made.聽
Navigating the giving season, with joyOne way to reverse a decline in volunteering and boost charity is to know better how to do both 鈥� and why.
What strips power from today鈥檚 emperorsChallenges to strong democratic leaders are common. In China, ruled by a 鈥榮upreme leader,鈥� a pastor has challenged personal rule by pointing to the real source of power.
An unlikely place for women to help end a tragic warA new cease-fire in Yemen鈥檚 war required women at the table. For a country with the largest gender gap, this is a breakthrough for the whole Middle East.
Putin鈥檚 praise of a truth-telling dissidentFor the centennial of the birth of the late Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Russia鈥檚 leader only highlights why those with 鈥榦pen eyes鈥� on official lies can alter history.
Global solutions on migration start at homeWhile many nations signed a global migration pact this week, the debate in most countries showed the need for an identity check, one that will determine the size of their welcome mat.
How to soften big conflicts in small waysA new democratic leader in Armenia is treading a special path by looking to end a tense standoff with Azerbaijan with a 鈥榩eople-oriented approach.鈥�
Look who鈥檚 ponying up for climate changeMore private investors see gold in going green, a reflection of larger trends in financial institutions to invest in society鈥檚 broad goals.
For peace in Afghanistan, a new view of womenAs talks on a political settlement gain momentum, the Taliban seem to admit Afghans no longer accept archaic views about women.
In France, political climate changeMass riots against fuel price hikes opened the eyes of leaders that non-climate issues such as poverty and fairness in carbon taxes must come first.
Pauses for peace that may end Yemen鈥檚 warHumanitarian gestures by both sides in the conflict, just before talks expected in Sweden, hint at a recognition of the principles that set limits on violence and protect the innocent.
Bush as the necessary model of a public servantHis long career from military pilot to president leaves a legacy of service badly needed in an era of distrust of public institutions.