All Editorials
The education reform compromise heard round the USTo fix New Haven鈥檚 failing schools, the teachers union and mayor forged a rare compromise 鈥� a model for聽school districts and unions across the country in how to confront major challenges facing public education, without blaming each other, resisting change, or fighting in the streets.
The Monitor's ViewOut of Florence, Europe's economic renaissance?The young mayor of Florence who is tapped to be Italy's next prime minister brings hope to young people that they might start a business with less fear of failure. For the eurozone's third-largest economy, this may be a big spark for recovery.
OpinionWill America forget its veterans?Communities should work to ensure that troops coming home have a better transition than my husband and I did. Give them the chance to use the superb skills the military gave them. We never forgot about you while we were deployed. Don鈥檛 forget about us when we come home.
The Monitor's ViewNorth Korea in the docket after UN reportA UN inquiry provides evidence of 'crimes against humanity' in North Korea. By exposing the truth of a dictatorship that tries hard to suppress the truth, the report can help bring down the Kim regime.- Readers RespondReaders Write: Bridge-gate spells end for Christie; Drought and immigration growthLetters to the Editor for the Feb. 17, 2014 weekly magazine:If 'bridge-gate' was caused solely by Christie's underlings, he has no control of his staff. If he had prior knowledge of it, it is a criminal matter. Such a person is not deserving of the presidency 鈥� or a governorship.The Pew Research Center projects that 82 percent of US population growth between 2005 and 2050 will come from immigrants and their descendants. Yet we dodge discussing the consequences demographics have on scarce water resources.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: An education on the real IranLetters to the Editor for the Feb. 10, 2014 weekly magazine:聽His wife handed out oranges from her basket and told us, 'In Iran, everything is good except the government. But governments come and go; the people stay.' We need to remember the people.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: The future of retail is 'buy local'; The key to Africa's economic growthLetters to the Editor for the Feb. 3, 2014 weekly magazine:Kenya's future is聽increasingly being dictated not by the national government or major businesses, but rather by civil society 鈥� the people. Hopefully, the trend will continue in Africa.Internet shopping appealed to me until I realized it pointed to an anonymous shopping future with a total focus on cost and speed.聽My vision of retail would be that consumers seek out local stores and only turn to the big chains and the giant Amazon as a last resort.
People constantly adapt. So do their beliefs.Like 海角大神s, Italians, Ohioians, and any other group of Americans, Muslims in America vary dramatically in how they apply what they believe to their lives.聽
OpinionUS poor need practical assistance 鈥� not marriage classesCongress diverts millions in aid for poor families to marriage classes, mistaking the correlation between being poor or of color and being an unmarried parent as a causal link. Studies show Americans value marriage regardless of income or race, and relationship classes are ineffective.
The Monitor's ViewA 海角大神-Muslim crisis of faith in AfricaWith 海角大神s and Muslims killing each other in the Central African Republic, the country needs more than foreign troops. A group of interfaith religious leaders are banding together to make peace real.
OpinionCities could be wildlife refuges of the futureWith more species going extinct, we must consider the potential of urban environments to serve as refuges for the survivors.聽Studies show that cities can support, protect, and even evolve wildlife biodiversity, providing opportunities for innovative approaches to conservation.
OpinionDemocracy鈥檚 dangerous decline in Egypt and TurkeyThe US can no longer afford to remain mute on the erosion of freedom in these two key Mideast powers. While certain interests may tempt Washington to emphasize stability over democracy, this is a mistake.聽A look to Russia shows the fallacies of engaging with autocratic regimes.
The Monitor's ViewA call to let ex-cons voteUS Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. asked 11 states that now restrict voting for ex-inmates to lift their bans. The reasons are both practical 鈥� less recidivism 鈥� and an affirmation of the potential for redemption.
The Monitor's ViewA bit of harmony in a China-Taiwan conclaveIn a historic first meeting of official representatives, China and Taiwan appear to warm up ties despite the mainland's claim to the island nation. Is this a new Beijing seeking a peaceful rise?
The Monitor's ViewNurturing the impulse to save Syria's millionsRussia worked on its ally Syria to allow UN aid access to the besieged city of Homs. That humanitarian moment should now lead to a UN demand for access to all 9.3 million displaced.
We're learning smarter ways to helpIn a disaster, humans rush to help. May they ever do so. But when rescue turns to recovery turns to rebuilding, there are smarter ways to offer a hand up without making it a hand out.
The Monitor's ViewAn Obama role in Islam's divideWith his coming visit to Saudi Arabia and new talks opening with Iran, President Obama can set the stage for reconciling the two Muslim giants over their historic Islamic rivalry.
The Monitor's ViewWashington's ability to trust, and be trustedAs distrust abounds between the GOP and Obama, and between Americans and government, leaders must relearn the ways that trust can be restored.
Sochi Olympics: What true heroism meansWhile it's fun to marvel at the physical and mental excellence on display in the Olympics, it is important to remember that democracy and freedom require not just a few heroes, stars, and celebrities but the committed participation of everyone.
The Monitor's ViewWhat to watch at the Sochi OlympicsThe Sochi Winter Olympics will be about more than skiing, skating, and sledding. Every Olympics can promote peace by putting a spotlight on the host country. Russia has already found the Games can stir change for the better, despite what Putin expects.