All The Monitor's View
- Need for textbook examples of peace in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
A major, US-funded analysis of textbooks used in Israeli and Palestinian schools finds few examples of each side demonizing the other. Rather, inaccurate maps and lack of information show a need to educate the next generation toward reconciliation.
- Why states shouldn't cash in on Super Bowl odds
A federal court case against a New Jersey law allowing sports gambling shows why betting on sports will only damage athletic competition – as well as bettors.
- After Chicago shooting of girl, a fresh look at gang gun violence
The tragic shooting of an innocent and promising Chicago teenager must reinforce attention on the best ways to curb urban gang violence. One key approach: police-clergy coalitions.
- Answers to gun violence may lie in nonsmoking campaigns
Even as a Senate hearing on gun violence draws ideas from both Gabrielle Giffords and the NRA, a lesson in curbing a risky product like guns can be found in the recent history of nonsmoker rights.
- Egypt's protests reveal deficit of trust in Muslim Brotherhood
Open defiance of Egypt's president in street protests shows how much the Muslim Brotherhood needs to leave Islam outside the door of democracy.
- Immigration reform as a path to conscience, not just citizenship
A bipartisan plan on immigration reform by a group of senators reflects tough terms for forgiving most illegal immigrants. President Obama, too, must adopt only an amnesty that strongly contributes to rule of law.
- The listening legacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton
The legacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of State may be in her enhancement of the diplomatic art of listening to other peoples – especially women – and not only world leaders. With President Obama honoring her in a "60 Minutes" interview, that legacy needs to be sustained.
- Women in combat: Why that's so yesterday
The military's decision to allow women in almost every combat role isn't surprising at a deeper level. Humans have been more rapidly overcoming barriers to physical limitations. Now we just expect it.
- Election takes Israel's finger off trigger for war with Iran
The surprising results of Israel's election sent a message to Netanyahu not to be so trigger-happy in his threats toward Iran's nuclear program. The rise of centrist parties also sends a moderating message to the Middle East.
- Obama's chance to lift suspicions of China
In his inaugural, Obama's brief mention of foreign affairs called for lifting fears and suspicions through 'engagement.' The idea needs immediate US application in the troubling Japan-China islands clash.
- Obama inaugural address: a call to act on unfulfilled ideals
President Obama's inaugural address is a call for action to secure America's rights and freedoms. His plea relies on a people who must put love for each other into practice.
- Lance Armstrong doping confession: In any sport, drugs are drugs
Lance Armstrong's doping confession in an interview with Oprah Winfrey should draw outrage, but so should any drug use – including marijuana – by sports stars.
- What Obama's gun proposals left out
President Obama's actions and proposals on gun violence are worthy, especially his directive on research into media violence. But he failed to link gun violence to children of broken or single-parent homes.
- After French intervention in Mali against Islamist rebels, now what?
The French military intervention in Mali against Islamist rebels does not need to be another Afghanistan. Containing rather than defeating Mali's violent jihadists should be the goal.
- How to debate Obama's gun proposals
This week, President Obama gives his post-Newtown proposals on gun regulations. But first, Washington must adjust the way it debates guns.
- Three years since Haiti earthquake: Learning the art of listening
The third anniversary of the 2010 Haiti earthquake brings sober lessons for aid groups. First lesson: Listen more to locals.
- Home truths in new mortgage rules
New regulations on home mortgages from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will raise ethical standards and lower risks. But they don't reduce government incentives that might create another housing bubble.
- Cry for food in Syria may be opening for peace
The UN warns it cannot feed some 1 million displaced Syrians, many in war zones with few bread supplies. A global response to this humanitarian crisis might help diffuse differences over political solutions.
- With Hagel at Defense, what would be America's 'special role'?
America's historic identity as a people with a universal mission faces a new era in Obama's nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary. Israel and even military cuts aren't the core issues. America's 'special role' is.
- China censorship protest as 'living in truth'
Protests erupt following a strike by journalists at a Chinese newspaper whose editorial on free speech was censored. Unlike most other protests in China, this one is about living in the truth.