All The Monitor's View
Chlorine attacks in Syria: Time to reassert a global banAs evidence mounts of Syria dropping chlorine gas bombs on civilians, the UN needs to act. On the 100th anniversary of the world’s first major chlorine attack, humanity must reaffirm a standard against such indiscriminate weapons.
Why Obama needs a key tool for trade talksA new bipartisan bill in Congress would give the president special authority to negotiate trade pacts. Such economic measures are a vital means for peaceful cooperation between nations.
Putting Libya back together againAs civil war saps and splits the North African country, leaders of rival groups are in talks aimed at forming a unity government. The UN-led talks require a patience in turning Libya's shared suffering into hope for a shared democratic vision.
Europe's urgent task of saving migrantsA rapid rise in migrants trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean – with many not making it – requires the EU to overhaul its immigration policies and anti-migrant fears.
What propels the 'sharing economy'The booming business of digital transactions between strangers in providing services and goods relies on new ways of determining trust. Consumers say the 'sharing economy' is building strong communities.
Protecting the purity of the OlympicsAs a rise in sports betting leads to more scandals, the International Olympic Committee must safeguard athletes from corruption and ensure fair competition. A new IOC hot line is one good step.
Body cameras can help police to perfect their workRecent shootings of black men have resulted in a rush to put body cameras on police as a way to 'catch them.' Yet recordings of police who handle difficult situations well would be the best result from 'body cams,' creating models to emulate.
Why Tsarnaev deserves the mercy of a life sentenceThe jury that convicted Dzhokhar Tsarnaev for the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing will start to decide his penalty on April 21. Choosing a life sentence will be an act of grace with a greater potential for deterrence than the death penalty.
What North Charleston can teach AmericaThe April 4 shooting of a black man in the South Carolina city evoked reactions of empathy, transparency, and swift justice. That helped keep the city calm and focused on solutions and unity.
How to read the alphabet soup of global 'clubs'This week's summit of Western Hemisphere leaders reflects a churn in the membership of many multinational bodies – and a search for common values that endure against rising global challenges.
Kenya's unity against a terror tacticThe unity of Kenya's Christians and Muslims in reaction to last week's slaughter of more than 140 Christian students sends a strong message against a terrorist tactic of division.
The heart of Iran's debate on a nuclear dealWith a victory for its moderates in the 'framework' agreement, Iran and its Islamic Revolution may take a turn toward reform – or a less coercive brand of religion upon individual conscience.
A challenge to the fashion industry's body idealsFrench lawmakers tentatively approved a ban on ultra-thin models and have taken other steps that hint the fashion industry must rethink its influence over women's view of their individual worth.
British election: a hunt for ingenuityAs the campaign starts for a May 7 election, politicians debate Britain's need for innovation in business. Other countries should follow this British battle over how to boost productivity growth, which has been close to zero for years.
Nigeria's precedent for peaceful democracyOne key to Nigeria's historic presidential election, in which an incumbent lost, was a peace committee that worked to mediate disputes and suppress violence. It set a model for the rest of Africa.
Lessons from Germanwings crash on mental disabilityThe pilot who crashed the Germanwings plane hid his mental problems from his employer. But did he need to? Better ways are needed to help the mentally disabled come forward and to treat them.
Forbearance and religious libertyThe national storm over Indiana's religious freedom law at least pushes state lawmakers to now prevent another form of discrimination. Balancing rights and the interests of minorities requires forbearance and charity.
The frontline in liberating child soldiersThe international war in Yemen comes after a surge in the recruitment of children by armed groups and the military. An end to the conflict must focus on renewing the UN's efforts to protect Yemen's teenagers from being pressed into battle.
One more reason state lotteries are a ticket to nowhereMany states that expose big winners of a lottery are weighing the need for privacy and protection in the digital age. Yet government also want transparency. Such contradiction show why governments should not be peddling 'luck.'
A legacy in Singapore for how countries can rise above ethnicityThe death of Singapore founder Lee Kuan Yew recalls how his tiny country of mainly Chinese influenced China. One lesson still not learned in Beijing: How Lee rose above Chinese ethnicity to set a national identity.
