All The Monitor's View
Acts of neighborly diplomacyAn African court for the first time convicts a former African despot. Latin America tries to mediate in Venezuela. Southeast Asia seeks a code of conduct in its disputed waters. Regions, and their neighborliness, still matter in this globalized era.
Europe’s best hope to curb migrants from AfricaAs more Africans take to the sea to reach Europe, the EU ramps up aid to improve governance and prosperity in key African nations. The EU is simply trying to speed up the progress Africa is already making.
Taiwan shines a light on a dark pastA new president starts a truth and reconciliation commission about the island’s past repression with the hope of improving democracy and ties with China.
Who should prevent violent extremism?More world leaders, weary of military efforts against terrorism, turn to preventing violent extremism. They’re seeking help from private groups and everyday folk in thwarting radicalization of young people.
A year after Charleston shooting, an ongoing need of forgivenessProsecutors seek the death penalty for Dylann Roof, even though many families of the victims forgave him – with President Obama praising their amazing grace.
An opening for peace in Afghanistan?After a US drone killed the Taliban leader, a new leader emerges whose background suggests he might not oppose peace talks with the Afghan government. All countries involved in possible negotiations must pursue this possibility – especially Pakistan.
An Islamist party finds a path between extremesThe largest party in Tunisia’s parliament, Ennahda, declares that it is now a civil party, leaving its Islamic work behind as democracy takes hold under a new Constitution.
When officials try to recover from liesGovernment officials, after being caught in fraud, can also move to prevent such ethical lapses. Here are a few recent examples, from the US to China.
The impressive rise in global teamworkWhen it comes to working together to solve global issues, humanity has lately shown big improvements. Progress in international cooperation can beget progress.
Turning children of war into children of peaceThe surprise recovery of a girl abducted by Boko Haram points to progress in a global focus on children caught up in conflicts, and how to help them embrace their innocence.
As droughts expand, so must quenching reformsThe water crisis in many countries should be high on the agenda at the World Humanitarian Summit. But so should success stories in water resiliency.
Has Brazil begun a moral reckoning?A corruption scandal has rolled over Brazilian society, claiming a president and putting many in jail. Now one big culprit, a construction firm, appears to be contrite. Will its ‘sincere’ apology trigger a moral catharsis?
The court’s restraint in church-contraceptive caseThe Supreme Court wisely avoids ruling directly in an apparent clash of religious liberty and access to contraceptives, citing a path for compromise.
A tale of how to open one’s arms to refugeesWhen Alberta’s huge wildfire forced 80,000 to flee, one nearby town did not let fear of strangers hinder their compassion for the refugees. It is a lesson for a world dealing with mass migration.
The inner dimensions of global corruptionAs more money from corruption flows across borders – raising popular anger – global solutions are needed. But which solutions will strike at the heart of corruption?
Pot legalization’s sobriety testVermont wisely votes down pot legalization. One big reason: the record of highway risks from drugged drivers in Colorado and Washington State. Legalization should not create a problem while trying to solve one.
Obama’s visits to Hiroshima and VietnamThe history that hangs over the US president’s visits must be transformed into a moral sense and a forward-looking purpose.
Obama’s best legacy on raceIn what may be his parting speech as president on race relations, President Obama focused on a theme common in his previous talks: the need to acknowledge racial progress already made in America.
London’s bridge to European MuslimsThe election of a Muslim as London’s mayor, along with other examples of respect for religious differences, helps counter an anti-Islam narrative in Europe.
Why US must help kids be free of vapingThe new FDA regulations on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors is only a step toward raising a generation free of nicotine addiction.
