All The Monitor's View
A tall hurdle for these OlympicsThe pandemic is only one of the Games’ problems. Strong suspicions of doping by athletes continue to demand solutions for fair competition.
A deluge of giving after China’s floodsMoney and volunteers flow into Henan province after historic floods, perhaps setting a high-water mark for Chinese charity.
Honesty pays off in MoldovaIn two elections, voters in the former Soviet state have been won over by a leader who sees the honesty in them as key to solving the country’s woes.
The other flood in Germany – generous volunteersWorldwide, the pandemic has not diminished volunteering. The response of Germans to severe floods shows why: Volunteering helps build trust and affection.
Is this the year of climate stewardship?A burst of diplomacy leading up to the next climate summit, especially by Europe, the US, and China, signals more cooperation to put goals into action.
South Africans’ resilient response to riotsFaced with mass looting and violence for days, citizens step up to restore rule of law and to clean up their communities.
How voters shook up Europe’s most corrupt stateMass protests last year, then two elections and an assist from Washington, led to Bulgaria becoming a model for fighting corruption in Europe.
A higher law for a sea low on peaceMany nations with interests in the South China Sea are celebrating the anniversary of an international ruling that may have prevented war over competing claims in one of world’s most critical waterways.
This time, Cuba’s protests are life-affirmingA new song that substitutes life for death united the demonstrators, giving rise to unifying slogans on shared ideals.
Water jaw-jaw is better than water war-warWith Egypt and Ethiopia near blows over Nile waters, Jordan and Israel have set an example for water diplomacy in the region.
As Taliban advance, Afghan women hug their rightsMany take up arms, others aim for a cease-fire, while most long for freedoms already won.
Is Haiti really ‘ungovernable’?The assassination of the country’s president adds to an impression of troubled places inherently unstable. Yet peacemakers have learned that self-governance can exist in the most chaotic nations.
Highfliers in spaceThe coming flights of two wealthy entrepreneurs on their own rockets set new visions for space travel.
When to be humble about inflation forecastsThe old certainties of economics have been shocked into a new reality that requires more deliberation and listening.
Systemic trust in buildings, pipelines, bridgesRecent failures of shared physical structures, such as a condo complex in Florida, have put a focus back on the values required for a trust-based society.
A big dive into the talent poolThe pandemic’s churn of the job market has revealed how much workers want to learn new skills. Employers are responding.
South Africa's step toward equality before the lawThe country’s high court orders a former president to prison over his defiance in a corruption probe. The ruling may be a turning point in curbing a culture of impunity.
Park it! Why the world is greener.In the past decade, countries have protected enough land to equal the size of Russia. The global drive for land conservation sets an example for other eco-challenges.
A rise in refugees, a need for solutionsThe number of people fleeing violence keeps going up, forcing more attention on successful diplomacy, such as in Libya.
Spain tries mercy in CataloniaA pardon for nine activists convicted for sedition sets a tone of forgiveness.
