All The Monitor's View
- Step up solutions for Syrian war's symptoms: refugees
As the rate of Syrians fleeing the war rises, so must the global response. The war's causes may not yet be solvable – killings now top 100,000. But its symptoms can be.
- How 'play ball' can also mean 'play fair'
After Major League Baseball suspended Brewers' star outfielder Ryan Braun for violating drug rules, other MLB players and the players union reacted with surprising support for restoring integrity to pro ball. That's a welcome shift for honest sport.
- What will drive Israelis, Palestinians to talks
With Secretary John Kerry confident of talks starting soon, the new imperatives in the US and Middle East can help drive a peace deal between Israel and Palestinian leaders.
- Saving children's innocence from Internet porn
In a bold move, British Prime Minister David Cameron strikes a welcome balance between Internet freedom and society's hope to protect children from Internet pornography and the child-murderers who act on it.
- Japan's election rings beyond its shores
Sunday's election results in Japan give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a big political boost to push more economic reforms that may help Japan become an engine for global growth. The world needs a healthier Japan.
- A dubious drive to legalize online gambling
A Senate hearing focused on regulating Internet gambling – even though it remains banned interstate by Congress. Such backdoor maneuvers toward legalization only reveal the commercial interests pushing this wrongheaded move.
- Why Holder's probe of 'stand your ground' laws stands out
US Attorney General Eric Holder said after the George Zimmerman verdict that Justice will take a 'hard look' at the many 'stand your ground' state laws, such as Florida's. Such laws need challenging as they reverse history's path away from killing.
- What Senate filibuster deal tells young democracies like Egypt's
The Senate filibuster deal avoids the severe political backlash of the 'nuclear option' – for now. It recognizes the filibuster's historic role in protecting minority interests, a lesson for newly democratic countries like Egypt.
- In Sanford and Cairo, a call to worship – and post-conflict peace
Egypt's Muslims began the holy month of Ramadan with some calling for national unity. In Sanford, Fla., pastors sought to heal a divided community after the George Zimmerman not-guilty verdict.
- As US eyes retreat in Afghanistan, it must listen to Malala
The young Pakistani girl is a model for the global struggle against the anti-women Taliban. With Obama weighing troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, Malala's speech to the UN today gives reasons to finish the job.
- After two political revolutions, Egypt needs a cultural revolution
Egypt's political identity won't be resolved by politics or protests alone. An upwelling of culture since 2011 could help resolve the nation's many identity conflicts.
- A welcome global shift against corruption
A world survey by Transparency International shows rising resentment against corruption – and for people acting on it. One of the most effective tools: higher levels of education.
- How Pakistan prevails over Egypt in democracy
While Egypt's military ousts an elected leader, Pakistan's stronger democracy holds its military to account for not searching, let alone finding, Osama bin Laden.
- Why EU-US trade talks should be about more than trade
As the European Union and the United States start talks for a transatlantic free-trade zone, they must see the opportunity to expand their common humanity as well.
- Why Egypt now deserves world's help
Helping Egypt fix its economy is now as important for the West as helping it fix its democracy. The protests that led to the military ouster of President Mohamed Morsi were driven as much by economic suffering as political anger for his undemocratic ways.
- After military ouster of Egypt's Morsi, a chance to get it right
The causes for the military ouster of Egypt's elected president are what Egyptians must now address. First of all, they must develop a mutual trust for building a consensus on all of democracy's values. Tunisia serves as a good example.
- When officials try to ban economic truth
A mandate on Chinese media not to report a credit crunch is the latest example of governments trying to keep bad news under wraps. But the forces for honest financial data are too strong to defy.
- Loss of Arizona firefighters must spur new thinking on wildfires
The loss of 19 firefighters in Arizona can serve as reminder of why the US must deal with basic causes for a rise in forest fires. Stakeholders, from homeowners to the timber industry, must cooperate on solutions.
- After protests, what Egypt can learn from Mandela
Mass protests in Egypt calling for the ouster of President Morsi reflect a young democracy in need of lessons in developing trust and reconciliation. Egyptians can find them on the opposite end of Africa in Mandela's example.
- With Africa's eyes on Obama trip, a continent takes stock of its progress
As President Obama visits Africa – and the world tracks reports about Nelson Mandela – Africans are due praise for 15 years of triumphs.