All The Monitor's View
- Biden’s one big test for military support of a country
To justify the pullout from Afghanistan, the president cited high corruption in Kabul. How does that fit with U.S. backing of other countries striving for honest governance?
- Restoring Palestinian-Israeli trust
The first high-level meeting between Israel and the Palestinian Authority since 2010 hints at a desire to shape peace, not merely manage conflict.
- Compassion meets Afghan refugees
The West lays out a wider welcoming mat for those fleeing the Taliban than it did in 2015 for fleeing Syrians.
- The power of the Afghan people
The Taliban’s own brutality will no doubt be reshaped by the popular reaction to the Kabul attack by another terror group.
- Fighting graft without borders
Both the EU and U.S. are combating transnational corruption in a very novel transnational way.
- Why Iraq is now a Mideast peace broker
Its reformist prime minister has built up enough trust to host a summit of Arab and Iranian leaders that might lift the region’s youth out of despair.
- Can food kindness win over North Korea?
The Biden administration threw its support behind a South Korea plan to offer aid to a food-short North Korea in hopes of renewing peace talks.
- Tutoring the Taliban on humanitarian law
Foreign aid workers in Afghanistan report an openness by the Taliban to keep aid flowing. Is the group honoring the innocence of civilians?
- The rush to redefine America’s political identities
With new census data, states are redrawing maps for electoral boundaries, but not without many more voters demanding a say in this pivotal piece of democracy.
- Lost trust in the US? One country differs.
The abrupt US exit from Kabul may seem like Saigon 1975. But Vietnam today still holds strong trust in the US as leader of world order.
- The Taliban’s wink on women’s rights
Even if not genuine, the Islamic group’s promise of leniency on women’s freedoms shows it must operate in a much different Muslim world.
- A legacy of dignity shapes an African election
The peaceful aftermath of Zambia’s Aug. 12 election may be a result of the nation’s founder leaving office quietly after an election loss, having taught his people the power of dignity.
- The new restraints on Taliban threats
Muslims worldwide are more opposed to violent jihadi ideology, which may help make Afghanistan less of a terrorist sanctuary.
- Migration as a weapon: Why Europe cries ‘Enough!’
As more dictators use migrants for geopolitical advantage, the European Union struggles to end the practice.
- Israel’s gesture for Palestinian homes
A rare and diverse ruling coalition in Israel takes an unusual step toward building houses for West Bank Palestinians. The move might open a door for peace talks.
- Biden’s different approach to Africa
Unlike previous presidents, he focuses on shared values and partnerships, a better fit for the continent’s youth and women.
- Europe’s big win on independent courts
Poland relents on a plan to alter its Supreme Court, a result of the EU standing up for its great unifier: democratic rule of law.
- Truth wars in Afghanistan
Both sides in the conflict are trying to influence civilians with a “narrative” of victory. The truth is that Afghans have more savvy about what they want.
- Public apologies that aim to heal a nation
From Iraq to Germany, leaders have offered mea culpas but no where is contrition more in the works than post-war Colombia, part of a long peace process of truth telling.
- Fearless dancing in Belarus
Brave women have led the country’s pro-democracy movement but none may better explain why conquering fear is so important than imprisoned Maria Kalesnikava.