All The Monitor's View
- Debt relief for Greece? Rules first.
After five years of temporary fixes to Greek debt, some debt relief for the country is now a live topic. As new talks begin for a bailout loan, both lenders and Greece must keep emotions at bay.
- Global drive on corruption should start at home
Soon after Britain asked world leaders to expose corruption, it decided to tackle money laundering in London’s property market. The best leadership against graft is taking action against it.
- How to rescue South Sudan
President Obama helped create the new country of South Sudan, and now he’s trying to save it from a violent civil war. He and others must first focus on building national identity and social trust.
- Turkey’s motives in its war on Islamic State
First the Iran nuclear deal and now Turkey’s strategic decision to hit Islamic State in Syria has shaken the Middle East. Both events, however, should be seen as possible steps toward peace.
- Obama’s trip to Africa changes a narrative
The highlight of Obama’s trip to Africa will be a summit on how to support entrepreneurs. US support for start-up businesses reflects a different approach to lifting the continent.
- Talks with the Taliban: Can Afghanistan set an example?
The Afghan government held its first-ever talks with the Taliban, and if a second round occurs in coming days, a strong precedent may be set for negotiating peace with violent Islamic groups.
- Vigilance that prevents domestic terrorism
The Chattanooga shootings, coming soon after the Charleston killings, call for better ways to reach troubled young men tempted by extreme views.
- After Iran, is North Korea next?
Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran is based on faith in Iran changing in 10 to 15 years and becoming less threatening. His approach should now be tested with North Korea.
- Taiwan's model of women leaders
Asia’s next step in its progress toward democracy will be a presidential election in Taiwan in which one of two women candidates will be elected in her own right.
- An Uber challenge in presidential race
The election contest has already begun to grapple with the new economy of the ‘worker-entrepreneur.’ Each party may need to shed old notions about the source of wealth.
- Why more countries woo foreign investors
When Mexico sells oil plots to foreign investors or China creates special zones of freedom for foreign firms, they do so for more than material gain.
- Deeper opportunities in Iran nuclear pact
The nuclear deal with Iran must withstand many tests to achieve its aim. Yet also worth testing is whether it will lessen conflicts within the Muslim world, especially over the use of violence in the name of Islam.
- Europe’s silver lining in the Greek deal
The Greek crisis taught the European Union that a single currency needs greater political union. The reform plan for Greece includes a way to track its financial obligations to the eurozone.
- When government shares data about itself
Hacks of data held by governments about citizens are troubling. But governments providing information online about how they work and spend tax dollars is a good thing.
- New paths to sustainable energy
The US and other countries will be making ambitious commitments to cut carbon emissions. But at the same time new ways to do it keep bubbling up.
- Goals that sparked progress
The UN’s 2015 Millennium Development Goals failed to end global poverty or disease. But they did trigger remarkable steps forward.
- Iraq-Syria solution will need more than bombs and boots
An effective military strategy must spring from asking deeper questions.
- A women’s World Cup to remember
Exciting, skillful play was just part of the story. So were sportsmanship and a growing, family-oriented fan base.
- A new unity of focus on the heroin trade
A coming UN special session on drugs will be a timely help for the center of the rising global trade in heroin, Afghanistan. The world must unite to set a norm against addiction.
- Fresh eyes on Jerusalem’s stubborn impasse
For too long, the issue of Muslim and Jewish access to their holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City has been seen as intractable. But a new report suggests religious leaders can help solve what is at heart a religious issue.