All The Monitor's View
Heroin moves to the countrysideVermont has recognized its heroin epidemic and is preparing a vigorous response.
New front in the 'war on poverty'On the 50th anniversary of Lyndon B. Johnson's 'war on poverty,' government must beef up efforts to support family stability, beyond financial means.
Who can end Iraq's Sunni-Shiite violence?Iraq needs prominent Islamic leaders who back democracy to now speak out for democracy's survival. Who better than Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani - despite his reluctance.
Double-teaming peace in IsraelThough Secretary of State John Kerry and Pope Francis are operating independently, together they form a powerful force for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Look to the Sunshine StateIn 2014 Florida will pass New York to become the third-most-populous state. With smart planning, it can continue to fulfill the dreams of its residents and visitors.
The shared economy’s growth spurtGovernments must find a balance between regulation and fostering entrepreneurship. But is a ‘shared economy’ something more as well?
Domesticating drones2014 may begin to show drones as useful servants and not just machines of war.
Honor the Olympic TruceTerrorist bombings in Volgograd, Russia, may have had the Sochi Olympics as their real target. The ideal of the Olympics as a respite from violence must be defended.
What the 2014 economy needs most: trustMany economic indicators are doing well. Yet Americans say they lack certainty about the future, perhaps starting with trust in government handling of the economy. The uncertainty gap needs to close.
For Japan and China, a day of selective remembranceOn Thursday, China celebrated Mao while Japan's leader honored wartime dead. Both events riled many who want each nation to better recall past atrocities. Doing so is essential to achieving forgiveness and ensuring peace.
In 2014, keep an eye on IndiaA new anti-corruption agency and the surprise triumph of a young party promising clean government could start democratic India down a better path than China's.
Why nonChristians are drawn to ChristmasSure, Christmas has enticing secular trappings for countries like China. But some aspects hint at its eternal message.
A role for US in South Sudan strifeThe new African nation of South Sudan finds itself facing civil war, just years after being created out of Sudan's civil war. The US, as it did in that earlier conflict, can intervene with lessons in how to shape a nation's identity.
New rules for NSA spying: Protect the presumption of innocencePresident Obama, the courts, and Congress are on a path to set new privacy rules for NSA snooping. While the need to catch terrorist remains, so is the need to preserve a presumption of innocence.
On Arab Spring anniversary, Tunisia again inspiresJust as a 2010 protest sparked an Arab uprising for democracy, Tunisia shows that an Islamist party in power will peacefully step down.
In a Mega Millions jackpot, is there any winner?The winners of the near-record Mega Millions lottery jackpot may get all the spotlight. But if President Obama and others want to reduce income inequality, they should focus on how lotteries create inequality – with government zeal – by hurting the poor.
Testing a US 'empathy deficit' in SyriaSo far, the American humanitarian response for Syria has been its best success during the crisis. But with the UN making a record appeal for aid as refugee flows escalate, US empathy will be tested again.
Country of the Year? Try Mexico.Last week's approval of reforms for the pivotal oil company Pemex caps a year of major reforms that could transform Mexico – and perhaps change the immigration debate in the US.
Saving Islam from suicide bombsSaudi Arabia's leading Muslim cleric came out forcefully against suicide bombings. The Middle East, now roiling with such attacks, needs more Islamic scholars speaking out.
What the Ryan-Murray budget deal really meansThe Ryan-Murray budget deal reflects an approach that some states are trying with new political structures that force leaders to compromise, not on principles but on ideology.
