All Editorials
OpinionPlan B for raising debt ceiling: Obama should invoke the ConstitutionPresident Obama wisely wants to resolve the looming crises with the debt ceiling and the 'fiscal cliff ' now. If he can't strike a debt-ceiling deal, he has another option: Bring out the Constitution, whose 14th Amendment states that the 'validity' of US debt 'shall not be questioned.'
The Monitor's ViewLook to Lincoln to solve 'fiscal cliff'As the Spielberg movie 'Lincoln' and many books about Abraham Lincoln reveal, solving difficult standoffs in Washington takes more than savvy politics and horse-trading. Lincoln had to first turn to deeper ideals that then helped him win allies.
OpinionObama and Israel are walking away from two-state solution with PalestiniansBy refusing to support the Palestinian bid at the UN, President Obama has essentially endorsed a No State Solution between Israel and Palestine.聽Changing course is possible. A good place to start would be threatening to remove US aid to Israel, given its plans for more settlement building.
The Monitor's ViewMaking the world flat-out against corruptionThe latest ranking of perceived corruption among nations doesn't show much change. But other evidence points to a grassroots rebellion against graft in hopes of a culture of honesty.
The Monitor's ViewAre Americans ready to deal with Syria's chemical weapons?On Monday, Obama strongly warned Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad not to use chemical weapons as rebels advance on Damascus. What is the national interest in threatening US action? Obama must sort out the moral purpose.- OpinionFlawed graph weakens case against Iran nuclear programThe Associated Press admits that a graph purporting to show that Iran has run computer simulations for a nuclear weapon is scientifically flawed. This raises serious questions about the quality of other 'evidence' against Iran's nuclear program. Here's a way to proceed.
OpinionICC membership may hurt Palestinians, Hamas more than IsraelMahmoud Abbas鈥檚 successful bid for Palestine at the UN takes Palestinians one step closer to joining the International Criminal Court, where some hope to prosecute Israel.聽But ICC membership may force Palestinians to take responsibility for their own conduct as well.
Is it Iran's leader -- or Iran?Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is known as "God's deputy on earth." He is Iran's ultimate powerbroker. Understanding what makes him tick is crucial to understanding Iran. But it isn't enough. You also have to understand Iran.
OpinionGOP should moderate social platform to win over fiscally conservative youthThough President Obama won the youth vote, John Boehner and fellow Republicans' message of fiscal responsibility could appeal to younger voters. The GOP needs to recognize that its platform on social issues drastically undercuts its potential fiscal-conservative appeal with my generation.
OpinionThreat of chemical warfare in Syria means it's time for US, NATO no-fly zoneThe threat that Bashar al-Assad may use chemical weapons against opposition forces in Syria means it is time for President Obama and America's NATO allies to intervene and establish a no-fly zone. That's a far better option than directly arming the divided rebel forces.
The Monitor's ViewThe holidays: extra shopping or extra kindness?Thanksgiving and Christmas are as far apart as they ever get. But instead of being a time for extra shopping how about a time for extra kindness?
OpinionEnrique Pe帽a Nieto's 'economy first' strategy for Mexico would also help USMexico's President Enrique Pe帽a Nieto, who took office on Saturday, wants to put the economy first, which will require addressing the onslaught of the narco mafia in a very different way from his predecessor. This new approach has great potential for Mexico. The US should embrace it.
4 ways to get phone service the next time a hurricane Sandy calls In the aftermath of a disaster such as superstorm Sandy, two-way communication is essential. Here are four ways to better prepare our phones and other devices for the next disaster:- Readers RespondReaders Write: Environmental misconceptionsLetters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of December 3, 2012:聽聽Inconsistency and outside influence have been prevalent ever since Congress passed the Wilderness Preservation Act 25 years ago.聽Paper protections rarely bring with them consistent and adequate enforcement.
The Monitor's ViewAn 'ethical vacuum' in Internet media?An official inquiry into the abuses of British newspapers calls for tougher regulation of journalist behavior. But it holds little hope for ethics in online media. This ignores the history of journalist ethics.
Managing the 'water planet'For most of history, there were always new lands to discover, explore, and exploit. Resources like water were taken for granted. But an important shift has occurred as we've looked back at our planet from space: We've become more conscious of preserving our rare, blue-green island in the universe.
OpinionGOP-backed bill is most serious attack on America's Wilderness Act in historyThe Wilderness Act has protected America鈥檚 wild lands for 50 years. It is now under threat by a House bill deceptively called The Sportsmen's Heritage Act. Citizens must demand the US Senate do nothing to advance its devastating provisions.
The Monitor's ViewA parachute for Americans on their fiscal cliffThe hard decisions in the fiscal cliff negotiations between the GOP and Democrats would be easier if lawmakers could point to other nations that have seen the benefits of fiscal discipline in lifting an economy.
OpinionFiscal cliff: Republicans on wrong track if they help Obama raise taxes on the richHigher taxes won鈥檛 much improve US finances and would likely wreck the economy. But as fiscal cliff talks intensify, a small group of Republican senators are prepared to help President Obama make the rich pay more 鈥� facts notwithstanding. A better approach: Spur private-sector growth.
Global ViewpointRecep Tayyip Erdogan: Turkey's economy meets EU membership criteriaSince 2002, Turkey's growth strategy, fiscal discipline, and structural reforms have helped it become the world's 16th largest economy. Last year, Turkey's figures for growth, public borrowing, long-term debt, and unemployment were vastly better than Europe鈥檚.