All The Monitor's View
To end Egypt's violence, a truce on Islamic fatwasBoth 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 pornPrime 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 literacyAs 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 AsiaDespite 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 nationsVenezuela'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 shutdownJust 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 messageIn 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 respondDespite 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 risesA 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 ricochetsThe 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 childrenA stunning drop in child labor worldwide is one of several reports of progress that suggest a global shift in how children are viewed.
Is nuclear power really the core of Iran's identity?Iran's new president, Hasan Rouhani, woos the US with a plea to acknowledge Iran's alleged core identity in its nuclear program. President Obama can point to Iran's conflicting identities as the country's source of weakness.
Ending the hypersexualization of girlsFrance's move to ban beauty pageants for underage girls won't stop a trend toward Miley Cyrus-style sexual exhibitionism. Girls need to learn values that reinforce their worth beyond beauty and sex.
Best answer yet to Navy Yard shooting: Starbucks' declarationA day after the Navy Yard shooting, Starbucks stands up for customers to be free of guns in stores. Such declarations to protect the innocent can help change the gun-safety debate.
How Egypt's Coptic Christians can keep the Arab Spring freshViolent attacks on Egypt's large minority of Coptic Christians since July have pushed this ancient indigenous church to respond with love and forgiveness. Such behavior, noted by moderate Muslims, can be the basis for the equality necessary to revive Egypt's democracy.
Awaiting Syria's repentance on chemical weaponsObama's new 'partnership' with Syria to eliminate its chemical weapons under a US-Russian agreement will need evidence that Assad will think twice before using such types of weapons again on civilians.
A German election – and leadership style – worth watchingGermany's Sept. 22 elections seem set to return Angela Merkel for a third term. Her leadership style has become indispensable to Europe's future. Why are her qualities of character so effective?
US-Russia talks on Syria: A balance of ideals, interestsIn the US-Russia talks on Syria's chemical weapons, the two countries may clash over Moscow's interests and American ideals. Such disputes can be resolved, as US history shows.
Obama's global 'norm' on chemical weapons in SyriaPresident Obama made a strong pitch to Americans to join him in enforcing nonuse of chemical weapons. His methods – either by missiles or diplomacy – may be in dispute. But his goal fits a trend against mass and indiscriminate violence.
