All The Monitor's View
- Paris helps unlock true love
Like other cities, Paris tries to end a craze by devoted couples to put 'love locks' on bridges and other structures. But the city also suggests other public, collective – even nonmaterial – ways to express the eternal bonds of affection.
- A court ruling for headscarf liberty
The Supreme Court’s decision that an employer cannot discriminate against the Muslim practice of wearing a hijab will add to the accommodation of religious practices, especially among minority faiths.
- How US probe of FIFA bends global norms
World reaction to the US indictments of world soccer officials shows the prosecution of bribery across borders can challenge global assumptions about corruption.
- Helping North Koreans ‘live in truth’
With a renewed focus on human rights in North Korea, the US, Japan, and South Korea can help expose the lies of the Kim regime, adding pressure to end its nuclear program.
- World soccer’s moment for reform
US indictments of FIFA officials is a welcome move to clean up the world’s most popular sport. Every dominant sports organization needs better integrity checks against a desire to make money over the need for fair and clean regulation of sport.
- In Europe and now Asia, a search for ‘common destiny’
China has adopted the EU’s slogan of ‘common destiny’ for creating a Eurasian economy. Yet the EU’s many new woes call for redefining the core values, or identity, of its union.
- When fishermen rescue migrants – and nations
In Southeast Asia, acts of empathy by fishermen in saving refugees adrift at sea help soften the hard stance of Indonesia and Malaysia. They are fishers of both people and goodwill.
- Nigeria's lesson in battling terrorists
With an election this past March and a new president taking power, Nigeria illustrates how a democracy stands up for its values against terrorist groups like Boko Haram.
- Whistle while you work: Wall Street's culture of fingering fraud
A new federal program of rewarding whistle-blowers in the financial industry is booming. And a survey shows industry insiders favor acting as tipsters against wrongdoing – especially in firms with a culture of integrity.
- An antidote to IS recruitment of women
The Islamic State's recruitment of women draws big attention. But less noticed and more important are efforts in Islamic countries to raise the level of women as spiritual guides – able to prevent young women (and men) from joining radical groups.
- The US and a spiral of cyberfear
In a newly revealed strategy, the Pentagon poses the threat of a digital counterattack on those who launch a cyberattack on the US. This offensive capability, however, might trigger a cyber arms race. Is the US fear well founded to justify a possible escalation of fear?
- With end of Syria war in sight, so must be a postwar plan
The US and other nations have stepped up their military role in Syria as the Assad regime weakens. But they must not repeat the mistake made in Iraq and Afghanistan and hold low expectations for postwar reconstruction. Muslim societies can be democratic.
- Reimagining Africa as innovator
In preparing a visit to Africa, President Obama hopes to bring US investment in technology. Yet he may find Africa already on its way to indigenous innovation.
- Keeping critical mass against nuclear weapons
Almost every country is at a conference to affirm a central plank of world order, the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Even with modest progress to implement the pact, a moral imperative against nuclear weapons is maintained.
- Fifty years on, practical lessons from German-Israeli friendship
On the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, Israel and Germany offer a model for others in reconciling after a dismal past like the Holocaust.
- Bearing and sharing the burden of asylum seekers
Only a few countries in the European Union accept the bulk of asylum seekers who make it across the Mediterranean. Sharing the burden would help alleviate the current migrant crisis.
- A British way for countries in divorce
Last week’s UK election was not only a win for Conservatives but for the gentler, more persuasive approach by the Scottish Nationalist Party, which won big in Scotland. Now Britain must continue its peaceful model of settling disputes over disunion.
- Why the Yemen war may be different
In a step toward moral law in Middle Eastern conflicts, the US persuades Saudi Arabia to propose a ‘humanitarian pause’ in Yemen’s war to allow aid to reach civilians. This may set a pattern for the region’s wars.
- A women's peace walk across the Koreas
A group of international women, including Nobel Peace Prize winners, plan to walk between North and South Korea in hopes the two nations will sign a peace pact. Their efforts reflect a rise in women as conflict mediators.
- Britain's identity-forming election
Two lesser parties in the May 7 election are doing well enough to challenge Britain’s unity and its bonds with Europe. Voters must remember how peace and security were achieved by a comity of common values.