All The Monitor's View
- Why even the Super Bowl needs a gambling shield
As online gambling rises, UN and Olympic officials rush to prevent match-fixing by betting syndicates. Athletes who are clean deserve better protection from the corruption of gamblers.
- The right campaign debate on how to fix ‘Wall Street’
Presidential candidates rail against the financial industry, but the best reform may be happening with moves by big firms toward ‘patient capitalism.’
- For a world in gloom, a new torchbearer
At a gathering of hand-wringing world leaders in Switzerland, Canada’s new prime minister was all palms up, offering advice on how openness and fearlessness can help solve global challenges.
- Repelling terrorist attacks on youth
A Taliban attack on a Pakistani university adds to the list of jihadi strikes on young Muslims. Youth in the Islamic world need more support, and can be enlisted to counter terrorist groups – rather than being recruited by them.
- Nuclear deal hangs on Iran’s unfinished revolution
Iran’s ability to abide by the nuclear deal, as well as its economic recovery, depends on a preelection debate over the secular authority of its reigning cleric, the supreme leader.
- Taiwan’s new woman leader: Why it’s about finding the next ‘cool’ invention
The island nation needs to tap key qualities of women and youth – creativity and collaboration – to bring innovation to its economy and reduce a dependency on China. Tsai Ing-wen’s victory is an attractive opportunity for that cultural change.
- Seeing mega-cities in a fresh light
With most of humanity now living in urban areas, architecture’s most important award, the Pritzker Prize, has gone to a Chilean whose housing designs reflect the view of the urban poor: that cities are islands of promise and opportunity, not problems to be fixed.
- Powerball lottery jackpot: It's not a winning ticket for states
The Powerball lottery jackpot hit a record high, only revealing how much states are addicted to gambling revenues while ignoring the effects of gambling on the poor.
- A big rethink in how to aid people beset by crisis
The world’s first humanitarian-aid summit this May should look beyond raising more money for those most in need because of disaster or war, despite near-record levels. A new view of local actors in a crisis is needed.
- The next step in Europe’s refugee crisis
A mass sexual assault on women in Germany, allegedly by asylum seekers, has soured the welcome mood for refugees in Europe. Yet the best response is to more closely support migrants with rapid integration.
- The ‘gig economy'
With 90 million Americans involved as buyers or sellers of services, this new way of working needs careful watching.
- Virtual reality gets more real
A technology that offers an altered state of human consciousness – and a slew of ethical questions – is finally hitting the marketplace.
- Give winter a big hug
Tromsø, Norway, 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, may provide lessons on how to enjoy cold and snow.
- The underreported good news
Stories of the world’s challenges abounded in 2015. But longer, deeper trend lines that show progress need reporting too.
- A firmer footing for ‘football’
Under FIFA international soccer has grown corrupt. Will 2016 provide a turnaround?
- A Muslim cleric’s lasting legacy of peace
Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent advocate of nonviolent dissent brought a largely nonviolent reaction among Shiites in the Middle East. The region needs a renewal of peaceful means of protest.
- When an election is not just about who governs
After a violent civil conflict between Christians and Muslims, the Central African Republic voted peacefully for a new government. The mere act of casting a vote sent a message of support for equality, and with it a desire to return to social harmony.
- The measure of progress against Islamic State
The retaking of Ramadi by Iraqi forces was only possible after some reconciliation between Sunnis and Shiites. That healing process begins in interfaith dialogues, which are underway in the holy city of Najaf.
- The ‘healing’ aspect of a Japan-South Korea pact on ‘comfort women’
The agreement brings restitution and an official apology to 46 Korean women – and also a shared recognition of each nation’s role in rising above differences toward working together in Asia.
- A bright hope for 2016: India and Pakistan reconcile
A surprise visit on Christmas Day between the leaders of India and Pakistan hint at a mutual desire to no longer let historic tensions hinder their drive against poverty.