All The Monitor's View
Egypt elections: a test of hard-won civic valuesThe final round of Egypt's presidential elections has two candidates who must appeal more broadly to Egyptian demands for equality and freedom. Both candidates need to compromise with pro-democracy groups.
Syria massacre: a moment of truth to end the liesThe massacre of women and children in Houla, Syria, finally forces Russia to stop defending the denials of Bashar al-Assad in the killing of innocent civilians by Syrian forces.
Message from Google chief: Have a heart – turn off this screenGoogle chief Eric Schmidt suggests young people drop their screen time for some real conversation, heart to heart. Being better connected digitally isn't the best way to develop social skills.
Obama and the contraception mandateThe Obama administration plans to exempt only certain types of religious institutions from the health-care law's mandate for coverage of birth control. But in doing so, it redefines religion, which not only steps on a basic liberty but a basic understanding of religion's role in society.
SpaceX launch to space station: humanity finds new wingsIf all goes well, the first private capsule will dock at the space station Thursday, marking a historic turning point in the use of private space companies. This will help free up NASA for riskier space exploration.
Hope, resiliency, and unity mark the Joplin tornado anniversaryOne the worst tornadoes in US history hit Joplin a year ago. The Missouri city has good reason to now celebrate its path to recovery.
At G8 summit, US taps into Africa's 'cheetah generation'For the G8 summit, Obama unveils a promise by private firms to invest $3 billion in raising Africa's farm productivity. Many young Africans, dubbed 'cheetahs,' are posed for effective private investment.
At Chicago summit, NATO must take stock of its big shouldersThe NATO summit in Chicago can overcome the alliance's current woes about Afghanistan and defense cuts by remembering how unique NATO is in history as a club of democracies with shared principles and interests.
What the world's poor can teach us on jobsThe prospect of long-term joblessness in Europe and the US should focus attention on a new type of economics that seems to work for helping the worst-off in poor countries.
States should fold on Internet gamblingCalifornia and New Jersey, each seek more revenue, are leading the states toward Internet gambling, starting with online poker. But this all-too-easy form of gaming would come with at a high cost to society – and government.
Nonviolent tactics may be Syria's only path to freedomAn escalation of violence in Syria, as well as the enfeebled UN cease-fire, have revived the tactics of civil, peaceful resistance among many of Syria's democracy activists. Nonviolent means may be their ultimate force.
What next for JPMorgan Chase and Jamie Dimon after $2 billion lossThe JPMorgan Chase $2 billion loss again shows why big banks pose a big risk – as seen in the admission of mismanagement by Jamie Dimon. The selfless purpose of a financial system in the economy must override the selfish risks of giantness in banks.
Green accounting of economic growthA World Bank study offers a new attempt to reconcile growth-oriented economics with Earth-oriented environmentalism. But can economists put price tags on nature?
Law of the Sea Treaty as a peace tool for USSenate approval of the Law of the Sea Treaty would help the US counter China's aggressive moves to claim islands near the Philippines and other Asian neighbors.
Facebook IPO as a measure of social trustFacebook's 900 million users are a trusting lot, in each other and Mark Zuckerberg. The Facebook IPO on May 18 will be a rare measure of trust in this one-seventh of humanity.
Europe looks for The AvengersThe results of the French and Greek elections signal a popular mood that alien forces – markets, immigrants, trade – need to be defeated. But the reality isn't like The Avengers film.
America's open door to Chinese activist ChenAmerica's tradition of openness led Chen Guangcheng to knock on its embassy door. Now that openness may allow him to study in the US. The strength of many a country lies in being open to people, ideas, and technology.
Finally, European debt crisis goes to the pollsElections in France and Greece may help quell a rising sense of victimhood from this long euro crisis. Such popular sentiment is exactly what the European Union is meant to curb.
Why economics is still the 'dismal science'Economists befuddled by the economy's twists and turns often fail to tap into data on the most optimist group – young people. Their hopeful 'animal spirits' may be the force for a full recovery.
On anniversary of Osama bin Laden death, did Obama take too much credit?Critics of Obama's move to politicize his bold decision to kill Osama bin Laden miss a deeper point about leadership.
