All The Monitor's View
Typecasting 'AfPak'The West's clichés about Pakistan and Afghanistan don't match the signs of democratic progress or opposition to Islamic radicals like the Taliban.
Cyberattack on South Korea needs constructive world responseThe cyberattack on South Korea's banks and TV stations Wednesday should force a global effort to develop legal rules against cyberwarfare.
In Obama trip to Israel, clues of US redirectionPresident Obama's trip to Israel provides more clues about possible downsizing of the US role in the world. If true, the US must be clear to allies and friends.
Euro crisis: Why a Cyprus bailout must be seen as 'fair'As Europe tackles its latest euro crisis, a Cyprus bailout deal must follow the path of being perceived as 'fair.' A tax on small-time savers isn't seen that way.
Behind the historic shift in povertyA United Nations report on human development signals huge progress in reducing poverty. All the reasons for it may add up to a turnaround in attitudes among the poor about their future.
Sugary-drink bans and other fads: When pols try to nudge good behaviorNew approaches to altering personal behavior – such as banning soda, curbing gamblers, or raising alcohol prices – can fail without the bonds of community to back them.
Recalculating the privacy debate after Google Maps penaltyGoogle's string of privacy invasions reveals a need to rethink privacy and end a piecemeal, reactive approach. Asserting privacy as an asset would help.
Illinois and Greece as penitent cookers of booksThe SEC exposes Illinois's misleading reports on pensions while Greece cleans up its financial data to help end the euro crisis. Clean accounting, like light on a dark street, helps eliminate financial deceit.
Kenya's merit badge for citizenshipFor all its flaws and risky outcome, Kenya's presidential election reveals a shift from tribal identities toward a better civic-mindedness. Voters did not want a repeat of the tribal violence after the 2007 election.
Why honey works better than vinegar in WashingtonIf tone can influence substance, as studies show, then the new friendly, face-to-face get-togethers between President Obama and GOP lawmakers signal possible breakthroughs.
Celebrate South Korea on International Women's DayAs the first nation to reverse a strong preference for sons over daughters – and the sex-selective abortions that come with it – South Korea deserves praise. Other countries, such as China and India, now have hope of ending this violence against girls.
Why Chávez-style governance runs against historyThe end of Hugo Chávez's rule in Venezuela should help weaken the model of authoritarian populism. His social goals may be worthy but his methods of personal rule were not.
Before more states legalize pot, Obama must enforce federal lawFormer DEA chiefs and an international anti-drug body advise President Obama and the Justice Dept. to uphold federal anti-marijuana law against legalization by Colorado and Washington states. Why not listen to those on the front lines of the drug wars?
A global contest of values in EU-US-China tradeAs China endorses a reformer as president and the EU and US plan a free-trade pact, the competition to set trade rules heats up. A EU-US pact would strengthen their economies and send a signal to China to take more responsibility for higher trade standards.
In China-Japan island clash, a peaceful diversionA dangerous confrontation between China and Japan over the Senkaku islands can be deflected if China returns to the idea of laying aside sovereignty claims in favor of seeking joint development of any seabed wealth.
In sequester's austerity, will US echo Europe's politics of fear?The enforced austerity of the eurozone crisis has roused surprising public anger. European governments are falling. The US need not follow this path if Washington finds a consensus over fiscal issues like 'the sequester.'
In Syria, US mission creep with moral creepPresident Obama is leaning toward providing nonlethal military equipment to certain rebels in Syria. Doing so runs moral risks. But doing nothing to stop the violence is also a moral risk. Can the US walk this fine line?
Yahoo's ban on working remotely: a creative step for innovation?Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer (formerly of Google) has banned remote working for her employees, hoping to find innovation in office interactions. She's the latest example of executives trying to find the source of good ideas.
Is Oscar Pistorius really Africa's 'biggest' story?Last week, when the West and UN were intervening in a host of problems in Africa, much of the world focused on Oscar Pistorius, the Olympic hero charged with murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp. Africa needs a better media spotlight.
'Sequester' standoff need not be win-loseAmericans, not just politicians, are torn by so many choices in the budget standoff, now called the 'sequester.' One way for President Obama and Congress to avoid the consequences of sequestration is to adopt the concept of 'settling,' as put forth by one political theorist.
