All Editorials
Justice delayed -- and delayed and delayedWhen pre-trial detention stretches on for weeks or months, a suspect's right to a "speedy and public trial" is undermined. In effect, a prison sentence is being served without the prisoner having been convicted.
The Monitor's ViewNewtown shootings: What to say to ourselvesThe Newtown shooting of 20 children and 7 adults may be the strongest reminder that each individual must find ways to help end these kinds of mass slaughter.
OpinionNext time, US Senate should ratify UN disabilities treatyLast week, the US Senate voted down the UN disabilities treaty, despite a push from former GOP Senate Majority leader, Bob Dole. Critics say the treaty weakens parental rights and violates US sovereignty. Not so, and eight Republicans who crossed over to ratify, know that.
OpinionIs South Africa following the path of 'the strongman'?South Africa鈥檚 ruling party, the African National Congress, was once a post-apartheid hero. Now it is the latest caricature of African bad governance, and it no longer resonates with the people.聽At its upcoming meeting, the party must embrace internal debate and reject economic nationalism.
The Monitor's ViewPutin's drive for Russian identityIn a big speech Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin said Russians lack 'spiritual braces.' He joins other world leaders who recently made similar warnings about their people. Should governments, especially those with weak democratic credentials, be promoting moral values?
OpinionTwo ways US and Europe can boost their economiesThe US and Europe now have two great opportunities to give their economies a much needed boost. One is to successfully navigate their debt mountains and fiscal cliffs. The other is to finally negotiate a US-EU free trade agreement.
OpinionUS colleges need affirmative action for conservative professorsAs a devout Democrat, I can't believe I'm saying this, but聽Bill O鈥橰eilly is right.聽Universities should institute affirmative action for conservative professors, so all the professors聽aren't overwhelmingly liberal, as the recent national elections confirmed.
The Monitor's ViewWhy a US-EU trade pact would be historicChina's model of state-run capitalism needs a massive challenge from the two giant market economies. Obama must win a US-EU trade pact in his second term.
Global ViewpointHow to survive in a tech-driven economyTechnological innovation has made the US economy more productive, but this new economy creates fewer jobs, and wages are suffering. Preparing workers for an era when productivity and employment are no longer linked will be the grand challenge of the next generation.- Global ViewpointHow to survive in a tech-driven economyTechnological innovation has made the US economy more productive, but this new economy creates fewer jobs, and wages are suffering. Preparing workers for an era when productivity and employment are no longer linked will be the grand challenge of the next generation.
OpinionEgypt and other Arab democracies will not survive without including more womenDespite their sacrifices during the Arab revolutions, Arab women are glaringly absent聽from the new parliaments, constitutional drafting committees, and cabinet appointments 鈥� especially in Egypt. But聽democracy, like revolution, is unsustainable in the Middle East without the inclusion of women.
The Monitor's ViewShaping the world of 2030A US intelligence report to the president on global trends to the year 2030 is generally upbeat. But like any futuristic study, its foresight needs hindsight in the reading.
OpinionBeyond the 'fiscal cliff,' America's kids need more 鈥� not less 鈥� government spendingAs the 'fiscal cliff' approaches, John Boehner and other lawmakers should beware of another kind of deficit 鈥� the growing opportunity deficit for low-income US children, already聽present by the time they enter kindergarten.聽Government can help with universal childcare and preschool.
OpinionHow the US can prevent the use and spread of Syria's chemical weaponsThe conflict in Syria could become even more deadly if Bashar al-Assad uses or loses control of his sizeable arsenal of chemical weapons. The聽international community鈥檚 options to prevent these scenarios are limited, but they do provide a starting point.
The Monitor's ViewWhy latest failure of global warming talks may be a successThe weak outcome of the climate change talks in Doha only add to the momentum toward solutions at the local level, where values on the common good are more easily shared.
OpinionReturn on American humanitarian aid: They like usFrom Indonesia 鈥� the world's largest Muslim nation 鈥� to Pakistan, recipients of American humanitarian aid improve their opinions of the United States, especially when that aid is targeted at individuals, and not governments.
Opinion'Fiscal cliff' or not, tax reform is easier said than doneAs part of any deal on the 'fiscal cliff,' Congress will likely take up comprehensive tax聽reform. That's a worthy goal, but it will involve more political and economic pain than most would like to admit.聽Every line in the tax code has its own constituency and rationale.- Readers RespondReaders Write: Preserve local news; Japan's nuclear dilemma is an energy dilemmaLetters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of December 10, 2012:聽Local news gives citizens the information to get involved and affect their immediate environment and the political decisions that shape it. Japan's problem is that is has no viable energy options other than nuclear power.
The Monitor's ViewHow to avoid revenge killings in post-Assad SyriaThe end appears near for the Assad regime in Syria. The opposition and world powers must do more to prevent the kind of post-conflict revenge 鈥� mainly against Alawites 鈥� that could ricochet in the Middle East.
OpinionHow to protect Americans from anti-terrorism data sharingAcross the United States, dozens of 'fusion centers' pool and share information in an effort to prevent another September 11. But these centers have not been effective anti-terrorism tools and have violated Americans' rights. Here's how they can be fixed.