All Editorials
John Hughes鈥楽pring鈥� delayed as Cuba follows China's modelPope Benedict XVI鈥檚 call for 'authentic freedom' during his recent visit to Cuba is unlikely to spur democracy. But聽other factors suggest economic changes are under way, patterned after the Chinese example, namely creating a market economy under an authoritarian, communist political system.- John Hughes鈥楽pring鈥� delayed as Cuba follows China's modelPope Benedict XVI鈥檚 call for 'authentic freedom' during his recent visit to Cuba is unlikely to spur democracy. But聽other factors suggest economic changes are under way, patterned after the Chinese example, namely creating a market economy under an authoritarian, communist political system.
OpinionHow Apple, Foxconn, and others can address labor abuses in overseas factoriesWhy do we keep hearing about labor abuses in overseas factories like those of Apple-supplier Foxconn? Auditing and inspections are inadequate to solve the problem. Requiring companies to examine and publicly report on risks along their supply chains can help eliminate violations.- Readers RespondReaders Write: Freedom of 鈥� or freedom from 鈥� religion?Letters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of April 9, 2012:
The Monitor's ViewA Romney-Rubio ticket? Not if Hispanics don't see themselves as Hispanic.A Romney-Rubio presidential ticket may play well to the notion of a "Hispanic vote." But a Pew poll shows why that idea falls flat.
OpinionAnother anniversary for the overlooked Mrs. Dred ScottApril 6 marks a key date in one of the most divisive cases in the US Supreme Court's history. The聽Dred Scott vs. Sanford ruling led the nation into the Civil War. Dred鈥檚 name remains well known. Lost is the story of his wife, Harriet, whose cause gives the case its greater meaning.
Walter RodgersFaith tourist: From Easter at the Vatican to a South Pacific churchMy fascination with religious observances is ecumenical. I have recited my 'Allahu Akbars,' been blessed at Easter by the pope in St. Peter's Square, and recently attended a service in the South Pacific. Everywhere, I find a universal need for contemplation and self-surrender.- Walter RodgersFaith tourist: From Easter at the Vatican to a South Pacific churchMy fascination with religious observances is ecumenical. I have recited my 'Allahu Akbars,' been blessed at Easter by the pope in St. Peter's Square, and recently attended a service in the South Pacific. Everywhere, I find a universal need for contemplation and self-surrender.
The Monitor's ViewConnecticut's wise move against the death penaltyA key vote in Connecticut against the death penalty means the state will likely join 16 other states in ending this harsh sentence. Practical reasons were cited for the move, but moral ones need to be argued to end capital punishment in the US.
OpinionTo protect freedom, US jurists must pardon terror suspects caught by entrapmentSince 9/11, the majority of criminal convictions in high-profile terror cases in the US relied on sting operations. In many, the FBI crossed the line into entrapment, luring penniless men and teenagers into sophisticated plots they never could have dreamed of on their own.
Global ViewpointWorld is ignoring most important lesson from Fukushima nuclear disasterFukushima's most important lesson is this:聽Probability theory (that disaster is unlikely) failed us. If you have made assumptions, you are not prepared.聽Nuclear power plants should have multiple, reliable ways to cool reactors.聽Any nuclear plant that doesn't heed this lesson is inviting disaster.- Global ViewpointWorld is ignoring most important lesson from Fukushima nuclear disasterFukushima's most important lesson is this:聽Probability theory (that disaster is unlikely) failed us. If you have made assumptions, you are not prepared.聽Nuclear power plants should have multiple, reliable ways to cool reactors.聽Any nuclear plant that doesn't heed this lesson is inviting disaster.
The Monitor's ViewGoldilocks banks: not too big, not too greedyBritain launches the Big Society Bank to invest in social causes while China, Europe, and the US worry about big banks becoming big liabilities.
Is GOP at war with women? 4 points to keep in mind on the gender gap To hear all the buzz, Republicans are at war with women and 鈥渉emorrhaging the women鈥檚 vote.鈥� A reality check is certainly in order. Here are four points Republicans should keep in mind as they look to bridge the gender gap and chart a winning path to November.
OpinionUS must seek conservative Muslims as allies in fight against Boko Haram terrorBoko Haram, the north Nigerian extremist group, has recently escalated its terror campaign with a string of deadly strikes against government and civilian targets.聽To combat the rising threat, the West must embrace conservative Muslims in the region as potential allies.
OpinionObama must reset relations with Russia along economic linesWhen Vladimir Putin arrives in Camp David for the G8 summit in May, President Obama must be ready to lay out the framework for a new reset. With Russian membership in the WTO, the US and Europe could create incentives for greater rule of law in the economy and elsewhere in Russia.
The Monitor's ViewObama's swipe at the Supreme CourtWorried that five of the justices will overturn the health-care law, Obama at first claims the court is 'unelected' and then backtracks. He must accurately portray the court's deep role in society.
OpinionFARC hostage release signals possible end to Colombia's internal conflictYesterday, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), one of聽Latin America鈥檚 oldest guerrilla organizations, signaled the beginning of a possible end to Colombia鈥檚 half-century-old internal conflict. (Colombia's recent campaign against FARC was backed by $7 billion in US aid.)
OpinionIsrael is not the threat, Mr. Obama. Iran is.The Obama administration appears to be conducting a campaign of leaks to the media to stop Israel from attacking Tehran's nuclear program.聽It seems Obama fears an Israeli military strike more than he fears Iran achieving nuclear-weapons capability.
The Monitor's ViewThe real victory in the Myanmar electionThe Myanmar election produced more than a small victory for Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy. It also firmed up the moral legitimacy of those seeking freedom in Burma.