All Editorials
OpinionHow to put US voters back in charge of their democracyThe Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United unleashed an era of unprecedented pay-to-play politics. Thankfully,聽steps can be taken to curb the outsize influence of big donors and super PACs and restore voters' trust in their political institutions.
The Monitor's ViewBorn to rule? The pitfalls of political dynastiesWhen Barbara Bush complains about dominant political families, she should know. The world must move beyond rule by bloodlines and a belief in inherited traits.
The Monitor's ViewWhat's at stake in the key NSA reformObama kicked the biggest NSA reform question to Congress: Who should store private data collected by the spy agency? Lawmakers must test how much Americans now want to give up individual sovereignty for security.- Readers RespondReaders Write: My Obamacare story; The case for paper books over e-booksLetters to the Editor for the January 20, 2014 weekly magazine edition of the Monitor:As retirees over 60, the closest Affordable Care Act policy to our old one costs 24 percent more and includes coverage we don't need. But the cost of our old policy has increased by 34 percent.The ever-identical screens of my Kindle become mind-numbing, whereas the imperfections of my paper books serve as guideposts for locating key passages of text.Finally, some research to explain why I never finish my e-books, but breeze through paper copies.
Piecemeal negotiations with Syria opposition will only increase divisionFor a diplomatic solution in Syria, the international community must engage directly with the myriad opposition groups inside the country. Those groups also need support to start a dialogue among themselves and with the internationally recognized opposition outside of Syria.
The Monitor's ViewThis Martin Luther King Day, a new look at raceAn expert on the history of skin color in societies proposes retiring race as a topic for science research. Her idea echos awareness of the changing notion of race, which may help end racism.
The Monitor's ViewSafety from economic shocksAlong with its upbeat forecast for the global economy, the World Bank also points to those nations finding new security from financial shocks by aligning policies with settled economic principles.
Syria: What 鈥� and who 鈥� it will take to end the warThe Geneva II peace talks on Syria set to begin next week should lay the groundwork for a diplomatic deal to end the country's three-year civil war. In spite of differences,聽Russian, US, and Iranian strategic interests can align, but Iran must be allowed to play a role in negotiations.- Syria: What 鈥� and who 鈥� it will take to end the warThe Geneva II peace talks on Syria set to begin next week should lay the groundwork for a diplomatic deal to end the country's three-year civil war. In spite of differences,聽Russian, US, and Iranian strategic interests can align, but Iran must be allowed to play a role in negotiations.
The Monitor's ViewHow US can help end Syria's war: accept refugeesSyria's neighbors have been far more generous than the US in temporarily resettling millions of refugees. If the US and Europe can now share this burden, it may influence the war's outcome.
OpinionCentral African Republic needs UN peacekeepers nowThe UN must work to prevent the escalation of violence and preserve what progress has been made in the Central African Republic. With key support from the US, the Security Council should increase its efforts to deploy a better equipped, larger UN peacekeeping mission to CAR.
The Monitor's ViewLessons in Gates memoir on civilian-military tiesThe tell-all book by former defense chief Robert Gates reveals how President Obama dealt with a military he distrusted. Other nations, such as Egypt, need such lessons in civilian rule.- Readers RespondReaders Write: Skepticism on Iran deal, Israel, mediaLetters to the Editor for the January 13, 2014 weekly magazine:聽Will the delay agreement become a Neville Chamberlain 'peace for our time' appeasement?;聽What of the media's double standard of silence on Israel's possession of nuclear weapons?; We should聽review the history of the lead-up to World War II and not repeat the same mistakes.
The Monitor's ViewHow Haiti earthquake launched 'digital humanitarianism'On the anniversary of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, it is remarkable to see what was learned about 'crisis mapping' from social media during the natural disaster.
The Monitor's ViewHeroin moves to the countrysideVermont has recognized its heroin epidemic and is preparing a vigorous response.
OpinionThe time to regulate e-cigarettes is nowSwift regulation by the FDA will help preserve America's hard-won anti-smoking victory and help ensure that parts of the US economy do not, once again, become dependent on nicotine.
The Monitor's ViewNew front in the 'war on poverty'On the 50th anniversary of Lyndon B. Johnson's 'war on poverty,' government must beef up efforts to support family stability, beyond financial means.
Global ViewpointObstacles to Syrian cease-fire aren鈥檛 insurmountableThe coming peace talks in Geneva provide hope for setting lines for a cease-fire in Syria. To draw those lines, three separate homelands must be created, with input by outside powers. Some will say this is impossible. Not so.- Global ViewpointObstacles to Syrian cease-fire aren鈥檛 insurmountableThe coming peace talks in Geneva provide hope for setting lines for a cease-fire in Syria. To draw those lines, three separate homelands must be created, with input by outside powers. Some will say this is impossible. Not so.
The Monitor's ViewWho can end Iraq's Sunni-Shiite violence?Iraq needs prominent Islamic leaders who back democracy to now speak out for democracy's survival. Who better than Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani - despite his reluctance.