All Editorials
The Monitor's ViewObama-Romney debate can't avoid 'nation-building'Recent presidents campaigned against nation-building only to take it up as necessary for what defines America's ideals and strategic interests. Voters need to hear what Romney and Obama would do differently.
OpinionWe're not colorblind. The only thing we're blind to is our unconscious biases.New studies show that referees call more penalties against players wearing black and judges issue harsher sentences to darker-skinned African-American women. If we can become more aware of our unconscious biases, we can use our logic thinking to override them.
OpinionAfter Todd Akin comments: Why women 鈥� and men 鈥� still need feminismMy students' Who Needs Feminism online campaign is reclaiming feminism as an umbrella for dialogue on issues that affect all of us. And it holds the potential to effect real change, especially in the face of Todd Akin's shockingly聽misinformed and misogynist statements.
The Monitor's ViewMisdeal on Internet poker gamblingA federal court ruling that poker is mainly a game of skill and thus not gambling could steer Congress down the wrong path of approving Internet gaming.
OpinionHow to arrest Julian Assange without violating international lawBritish authorities forcefully entering the Embassy of Ecuador in London where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has taken refuge would not only be illegal but also set a frightening precedent, putting embassies around the world at risk. Thankfully, Britain has other options.
OpinionCongress must reform immigration laws that send top STEM graduates to ChinaBecause of bureaucracy and delays, America is losing its top foreign-born job creators 鈥� particularly those in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) 鈥� to competitors abroad.聽In the global war for talent, the US has every advantage except one: its immigration laws.
The Monitor's ViewThe 'light' touch to curb urban killingRecent murders in cities like Boston that already have used new crime-fighting methods call for more individuals to put a caring light on gang crime in their communities.
OpinionWhy Paul Ryan is no Ayn Rand on Social SecurityMitt Romney's running mate Paul Ryan deserves credit for trying to tackle the coming entitlement crisis. But whatever you can say about his plan for Social Security, you cannot ascribe it to Ayn Rand. Rand did not want to save Social Security; she wanted to end it.
OpinionWhy peace has a foothold in the PhilippinesThe Philippines has been fighting a decades-long insurgency. But a cease-fire is holding and peace talks are advancing. What makes this possible is commitment from the top and the bottom: Leaders insist on moving ahead, and warring families want peace for their children.
The Monitor's ViewCharity begins where?A study of giving by Americans shows the different amounts and the goals of their charity, as reflected to a degree in the giving by Romney and Obama. But the motives for giving are still a source of study.
Global ViewpointWill America kill the curiosity that sent the rover to Mars?The landing of the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity on Mars marks a historic triumph for NASA, space exploration, and American innovation. But the endangered state of curiosity-driven basic research endangers America鈥檚 capacity for future innovations.- Global ViewpointWill America kill the curiosity that sent the rover to Mars?The landing of the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity on Mars marks a historic triumph for NASA, space exploration, and American innovation. But the endangered state of curiosity-driven basic research endangers America鈥檚 capacity for future innovations.
OpinionCan Paul Ryan educate voters about Medicare reform?Paul Ryan and his Republican supporters see the presidential election as a chance to educate voters about Medicare reform. Some claim that campaigns are not for educating, but for winning. That's only partially true. Campaigns still have great teaching value.
The Monitor's ViewJapan-China island clash: Peace in a common historyThe island clash between Japan and China, as well as other island disputes in East Asia, could be more easily resolved if neighbors shared a common view of history.
OpinionMy gloriously useless degrees in the humanitiesMany insist the US needs more engineers and scientists to revive the economy. The hard truth is no degree guarantees a secure trajectory anymore. While I may not remember all I absorbed studying the humanities, I learned to think for myself. That has been invaluable in the workplace.
OpinionWhy Israel shrugs at retaliation after attack on IranThe threat of a simultaneous war with Iran's proxies 鈥� Hezbollah, Syria, and Gaza militants 鈥� is a key consideration for Israel as it weighs an attack on Iran. But Iran鈥檚 allies may not be as keen about going to war for the ayatollahs as Tehran would like, and the Israelis know it.
The Monitor's ViewRomney, Obama must call a truce on nasty campaigningAs mudslinging escalates, voters will use new digital tools to avoid campaign ads. Romney and Obama can agree to keep negativity in check.
OpinionWhy the world can't tolerate a preemptive Israeli attack on IranUnder the UN Charter, neither Israel nor the US would have a legal right to preemptively launch a military attack on Iran. Do we want a world in which leaders are free to launch military attacks on other countries simply on an assumption of hostile intent and military capacity?
The Monitor's ViewPut a light on Europe's shadow economyThe euro crisis stems in part from countries like Greece not collecting taxes on a sizeable 'shadow' economy. These off-the-book activities need to be brought into the light of legal, taxable commerce.
OpinionBack to school 鈥� and new common standards?So far, 47 states have signed on to the 'common core state standards' launched by the National Governors Association in 2009. The standards ensure uniformity in what's taught in every classroom nationwide. But we need follow-through at the local level. Here's what you can do.