All From the Editors
CommentaryUnpacking the ‘war on fentanyl’Texas lawmakers are waging a new "war on fentanyl," a plan that calls to mind the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s and '90s. But this time, at least some prosecutors are making an effort to focus arrests on distributors rather than users.
CommentaryWhen the stakes are literally life and deathDisagreements over the death penalty are sharp. A case in Oklahoma reveals just how high the stakes feel to people on all sides of the issue. At heart, they're all grappling with what constitutes justice.
CommentaryThe hidden prison of fines and feesWhen local governments use fees and fines to finance governance, the result can be a financial and criminal vortex that sucks downward the very people trying to rise out of poverty. The solution is a matter of community responsibility.
CommentaryEmbracing a concept of ‘just enough’For consumers, is it ever possible to balance collective good and individual freedom? Sweden offers an answer with an ethos of not too little, not too much.
CommentaryWhy the Monitor is focusing on trustAt the beginning of a momentous year, the Monitor is turning its attention to one of the central tenets of democracy and the press: trust.
CommentaryCannabis loses some of its stigmaThe jury is still out on whether legal pot helps or harms society. But one thing is clear: Perceptions around cannabis use are dramatically changing.
CommentaryCovering Donald TrumpAs the buzz grows about a potential second presidential run by Donald Trump, the news media must again examine how it approaches its coverage. The Monitor’s commitment has always been to report honestly.
CommentaryWhy everyone and no one can tell you what home meansDuring the holiday season, many of us turn our thoughts to home. But what makes a home? This week, 19 essayists offer a look into the spaces tied to their hearts.
CommentaryThe relentless march of progressWhile some believe that change can only be inspired by fear and discomfort, 2023 showed that persistence and hope are the true drivers of progress.
CommentaryFrom ‘Children in darkness’ to a generation of lightChildren are often vulnerable to the instability around them, and this generation's foe – climate change – is formidable. But kids around the world are determined to build a bright future.
CommentaryWhat climate change demands of us allFacing the climate crisis surely requires individual sacrifice. But regenerative farmers see it differently — instead of austerity, sustainability practices seed resilient and flourishing farms.
CommentaryThe world’s biggest design challengeTo design solutions for a heating planet, we need different ideas rooted in different experiences. The good news is that there is a global mindset shift toward this stance.
CommentaryCan children really lead the way?In an age of youth-led climate movements, children are leaders. But what motivates them? A climate lawsuit driven by a group of kids in Montana offers an answer.
CommentaryWhen reporting hits homeIn Bangladesh to report on how young people are adapting to climate change, a reporter is reminded of the inextricable links between children half a world apart.
CommentaryBreathless and grateful: An editor on the jobAt the launch of the Monitor's global series about young people adapting to climate change, an editor reflects on the nail-biting, behind-the-scenes decisions that propelled the project.
CommentaryWhere political orthodoxies falterLGBTQ+ rights remains one of the most potent topics in the culture wars. In the conservative South, gay candidates for political office are thriving – and challenging assumptions about politics and identity.
CommentaryChoosing between justice and freedomFor one human rights lawyer in El Salvador, it feels increasingly like the justice system is designed "to convict." Yet he continues to defend even the riskiest cases.
CommentaryTapping the spirit of ‘The Climate Generation’For many young people around the world, a shifting climate is not a point of contention so much as an ever-present facet of life. They are doing what most people do when problems crop up: roll up their sleeves and get to work.
Commentary‘Education is inseparable from caring’In China, the growth seen in urban centers isn't always reflected in its rural communities. But in one town, progress is persistent and nurtured by its tireless schoolteachers.
CommentaryA step toward justice for SyriansAfter 12 years of enduring conflict in Syria, families are left searching for justice. While the accountability they demand has yet to be addressed at home, some European courts offer a way forward.
