All The Monitor's View
A Norway gift that would move mountainsTo honor Finland’s independence anniversary, Norway may give it a mountain peak along their border. The gift, while a small gesture, symbolizes a kind of peace that may keep land-grabbing bully nations at bay.
The Fed’s search for breakout growthAmerica’s central bank, like other big financial institutions, seeks fresh ideas to end the ‘new normal’ of mediocre economic growth. Breaking up old models is a good first step.
Islamic State’s failing ‘war of religion’After Islamic State claimed credit for the killing of a French Catholic priest, leaders of major faiths gathered to counter this attempt to incite Muslims and Christians against each other. Peace is the norm between religions.
Mercy for the corrupt who come clean?The US and Tunisia are each testing whether leniency toward individuals or businesses that are open about their corruption might lead to less corruption. Confession can be a shorter path to reconciliation.
Germany's response to mass violenceFour recent attacks on the public, some with links to Islamic State, have raised fears but also calls not to allow fear to create an overreaction.
A bright spot in a dull global economyAs major economies falter, India takes the lead with the world’s fastest growth. It can lure investors with its relative peace and certainty.
Africa’s step to be a continent of peaceWith its decision to intervene militarily in South Sudan’s conflict, the African Union shows it may yet live up to its goal of creating a continent of peace by 2020.
The exhausted American voter: Ready for a change?With a polarization perhaps at a peak in politics, Americans may be fed up – not just with ‘the system’ but their own acrimony. Hitting bottom in political fatigue may have its benefits.
Why Melania Trump may have liked Michelle Obama’s speechMs. Trump’s near-repetition of the first lady’s words suggests the two agree on an approach to education that views children in a whole new light.
How Turkey’s failed coup was democracy’s successThe forces for democracy, both within Turkey and worldwide, stood up to the military plotters. A global infrastructure for freedom makes its harder for would-be strongmen to succeed.
The Nice attack: The Internet as instigatorAs more terrorist attacks appear inspired by the Islamic State’s appeal over social media, the struggle must move to the Internet, and winning the high moral ground with alternative narratives.
The rush to curb a heroin/opioid crisisCongress, in rare bipartisanship, passes a law that will help support the many local efforts to end a heroin ‘epidemic’ and a prescription opioid crisis. Still left undone: a consensus on whether addiction is a ‘disease.’
Rio Games as test of Olympics' purposeBrazil is experiencing turmoil even as it prepares to host the 2016 Summer Games. Will it be able to fulfill one of the goals of the modern Olympics: promoting peace?
A ruling tells China why no country is an islandFor the first time, an international tribunal rules against China and its claim on the territory of another country. The decision is the basis for other countries to question China’s denial of universal values, especially those needed for world order.
Can Britain’s new leader be a mender?After the country’s vote to leave the EU, and a leadership battle within the Conservative party, Theresa May might bring the right talents to heal Britain’s big divisions.
The vigilance needed after DallasOne of Dallas's first official actions after the shooting of police was a prayer vigil in the city’s Thanks-Giving Square. Such prayer is not an evasion of solutions but a solvent for healing and community renewal.
How to enjoy a corruption-free dayAs more countries turn to mass street protests to fight corruption, the people of Zimbabwe try a one-day boycott of all public activity. They tapped the power of nonconformity to send a message about the need for clean governance.
Muslim reaction to the Medina bombingEven violent jihadists condemned an attack in Medina, one of Islam’s most sacred cities. The reaction shows the limits of justifying violence in the name of purifying a religion of alleged apostates.
With yet another crisis, Europe relies on its calm centerBritain’s vote to leave the EU has again pushed Germany into asking for patience as the Continent reflects on its reaction to one more big challenge.
Post-Brexit, Britain fixes a rise in immigrant abuseEven as abuse of immigrants increases after the “Leave” victory, British groups rally to replace this spike in hate with messages of love, respect, and equality
