All The Monitor's View
Charitable tax deduction: What price for love?In weighing tax reform, Congress has its eye on the charitable tax deduction – as a 'loophole.' It needs to first look at the changing ways that Americans give and then act to safeguard charity in all its forms.
In Timbuktu, Al Qaeda showed 'seeds of its decay'A secret letter written by Al Qaeda's leader in north Africa during his 10-month rule of Timbuktu reveals the internal contradictions of jihadists that will end their appeal.
Wanted: global rules on cyberwarfareA report on cyberattacks and computer hacking originating with China's military highlights the need for international norms in cyberwarfare. Other new types of weapons led to new rules of war. Why not in cyberspace, too?
Instead of blaming media violence for kids who kill, demand more nonviolent video gamesA new study shows how children display more empathy if given pro-social media to watch or play. Parents can be encouraged to demand video games and other media that teach social skills.
Plucking a big bone in free-trade talks: foodPresident Obama's ambitious goal for free-trade pacts with Europe and Asia depends on solving emotional disputes over food and agriculture. Leaders need to deal with people's deep concerns about what they eat, farming culture, and culinary identity.
A soft response to North Korea nuclear testThe North Korea nuclear test may well bring tougher sanctions. But the US can use the lure of liberty – visas – to undercut the Kim regime and challenge China's support of it.
Are Obama's state-of-the-union ideas the antidote to economic fears?As President Obama travels after his State of the Union speech to rally support for his proposals, he must also deal with a rising mood of pessimism about the economy. Fear of the future must not be allowed to feed on itself.
For Obama's second term, a call to arms controlFrom gun control to nuclear-weapons cuts to drone warfare, Obama's second term may be highlighted by a need to define new concepts of security for instruments of aggression.
Obama's hidden nonplan to arm rebels in SyriaNews that Obama vetoed a plan by his senior security staff to arm Syrian rebels reveals the extent of his humanitarian impulse. But he must also protect the new UN doctrine of a 'responsibility to protect' by being more open about his Syrian strategy.
A rightful airing of Obama drone policyIn the latest concern over war tactics against terrorists, President Obama had to release his guidelines for the use of drones in targeted killings. To help ensure constancy and consistency in civic values during wartime, Congress must openly debate this policy.
Higher ed and lower jobs: What's needed in the new economyMore jobs rely on intangible qualities rather than measurable goods, knowledge, or skills. Countries and colleges, too, must look to the invisible assets of social, intellectual, and organizational 'capital."
A comforting arm to curb Army suicidesA record in military suicides, despite many new prevention programs, points to a need to change military culture to help detect those in need and make it easier to get help.
Need for textbook examples of peace in Israeli-Palestinian conflictA 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 oddsA 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 violenceThe 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 campaignsEven 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 BrotherhoodOpen 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 citizenshipA 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 ClintonThe 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 yesterdayThe 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.
