All The Monitor's View
- What Obama must do for Syria peace talks
As he prepares for peace talks on Syria planned for November, President Obama can better help unite the anti-Assad, pro-freedom opposition with a clear vision of what the US supports.
- Saudi Arabia's challenge to the United Nations
When Saudi Arabia refuses a seat on the powerful UN Security Council, does it say more about the UN or the royal House of Saud?
- Inklings of a deal on Iran's nuclear program
Substantial talks between Iran and six world powers began with signs of hope for rapid progress. Even though the sides are far apart, the world must support these war-averting negotiations.
- The Senate deal's promise to Americans
The best part of the Senate deal, devised to break Washington's logjam, is the promise of a joint congressional panel to make difficult budget compromises for fiscal sustainability. That may allay public fears of a debt tsunami.
- Praise for those who cross shale's fault lines
The quality of the debate over whether or how to tap shale gas and oil may have turned a corner this year as more groups and states find consensus-seeking ways to deal with the hard issues.
- This Nobel Peace Prize was only half right
The 2013 Nobel Peace Prize was wisely given to the body trying to rid the world of chemical weapons. But who will divert the scientists who know how to make such weapons into peaceful pursuits?
- An African lens on breaking sovereignty
Foreign intervention in Africa has become almost a norm, with the Central African Republic as the latest example. The world must ask how much it should honor individual rights over national sovereignty.
- What Janet Yellen must do at Federal Reserve
President Obama's nominee for Fed chief, Janet Yellen, needs to look beyond financial data to create jobs and avoid inflation. The Great Recession showed that economists must also deal with giant lapses in character, even at the Fed.
- To end Egypt's violence, a truce on Islamic fatwas
Both sides in Egypt's violent struggle to restart democracy have evoked Islamic edicts. Yet a democracy based on liberty of conscience requires a separation of mosque and state.
- Britain's battle against online porn
Prime Minister David Cameron steps up his plan to guard children from the effects of Internet pornography. Even credit-card firms that deal with porn sites may be enlisted. Britain could be a model in how to fight the sexualization of children.
- Supreme Court, campaign finance, and civic literacy
As the Supreme Court weighs the latest challenge to a campaign finance law, reformers must also challenge the view that voters are 'civic slackers.'
- Obama's pressing 'pivot' to Asia
Despite the government shutdown, Obama wisely plans to attend the Asian summits and show the US has staying power in shifting its foreign focus toward Asia – and balancing a rising China.
- Lifting the 'oil curse' for resource-rich nations
Venezuela's squandering of its oil wealth has left its economy in tatters while leaders merely blame the US. As more resource-rich nations learn to dodge the 'oil curse,' Venezuela can do the same.
- Tips from George Washington for a government shutdown
Just before the federal government shutdown, a new library opened at George Washington's estate with a wing devoted to leadership training. His actions, even his silence at times, have relevance for today's political showdowns.
- Are voters responsible for a government shutdown?
A federal government shutdown isn't only a function of leaders who are unable to balance principles and interests. Voters also add to gridlocked government rather than Goldilocks cooperation with a winner-take-all view and by being politically disengaged.
- A global campaign to hit terrorists – in their message
In a contest for values, Turkey and the US are leading a $200 million effort to prevent the radicalization of young Muslims. It can build on successes in the deradicalizing of captured terrorists.
- As college-prep test scores falter, how the US can respond
Despite President Obama's challenge in 2009 for students to go into higher ed, test scores for the SAT and Act are not showing progress. The problem may be one of low expectations, despite the new Common Core standards and changes in state-level testing.
- As more states back casinos, inequality rises
A new study on gambling points to the expansion of casinos as a contributor to social and income inequality. They also perpetuate the notion of chance as a guiding force in life.
- Church bombing in Pakistan: Why it still ricochets
The public reaction to a terrorist attack on Christians in Pakistan reflects a similar pushback by moderate Muslims in Egypt and Tunisia. Civic values such as religious tolerance are at stake in this latest struggle for Islam.
- Drop in child labor points to progress for all children
A stunning drop in child labor worldwide is one of several reports of progress that suggest a global shift in how children are viewed.