All The Monitor's View
- The cost of winning at all costs
A doping scandal means Russia’s teams and flag will be banned from international sports competition for years to come. Will it shame the country into making real reforms?
- The arc of post-prison forgiveness
Kentucky’s move to restore voting rights for many former prisoners reflects a deeper reform in criminal justice.
- Middle East starts to clean house
In countries with mass protests, early successes include convictions on corruption even before democratic reforms. Demands for honest governance are as strong as those for democracy.
- Brexit and other fixes in globalization
The Conservative victory in Britain is just the latest course correction for several trade deals, or a necessary reform to heal those hurt by the flow of goods, people, money, and information across borders.
- All for one in Europe’s climate plan
A bold proposal for carbon cuts by the European Commission also comes with plans to share the burden fairly. The fair part may be as important as the carbon targets.
- When peace prize laureates falter
Two recent Nobel winners are under fire, only highlighting an era in which concepts of leadership are shifting.
- Ukraine's real power with Russia
The first peace talks in three years showed how much Russia is weakening as Ukraine’s recent progress gives it increasing strength to resist Moscow’s influence.
- A nation’s remarkable recovery of trust
Ten years ago, Greece’s false claims about its debt sent both it and Europe into an economic spiral. Now its steady return to credibility shows how countries can restore trust.
- Tiger’s tale out of the rough
A decade after contritely admitting infidelity and falling from the grace of professional golf, Tiger Woods’ recovery in the sport shows the power of forgiveness.
- Where women led in 2019
In mass protests in five Muslim countries, many of the demonstrators were not only women but also the leaders. This social breakthrough in equality helps lay a path for full democracy.
- Why NATO at 70 is as young as ever
The alliance’s anniversary summit had lively disputes but ended with a unity around shared ideals that make NATO more than a guardian of territory.
- Why tyrants really block the internet
As global norms against state violence rise, countries like Iran try harder to prevent videos of their police killing protesters. They are, in effect, ashamed of violating international standards.
- The global lesson from London’s knife attack
A terrorist released from prison and who had gone through rehab programs killed two advocates of such programs. The attack can focus global attention on better ways to reintegrate terrorists into society.
- Rethinking farms and food in the AI age
As robots and other inventions take over agriculture, society must rethink its relationship to those who nourish it.
- Visit a prison, make the world safer?
More governors and prosecutors are visiting inmates in prison as part of several initiatives to improve criminal justice. The experience helps create more empathy among those who incarcerate people.
- Europe wins a big anti-corruption battle
Romania’s reelection of an anti-graft president reflects the success of both the EU and Romanians to push for honest governance in one of the union’s most corrupt countries.
- Ballots meet batons in Hong Kong
The popularity of the pro-democracy protests will be tested in Sunday’s local district elections, which are about the only real democracy left in the Chinese territory.
- In 2019, whistleblowers get their due
Global views on whistleblowers got a boost after one in the U.S. made allegations against President Trump. Even Ukraine just passed a law protecting whistleblowers.
- Iraq's trailblazing protesters
By the thousands, young Iraqis have created a “ministate” in downtown Baghdad that resembles the government they want – one not based on dividing up power by faith.
- A triumph of truth about China’s detention camps
Secret documents from the Communist Party reveal strong party dissent over the repression of an innocent minority. Officials with a conscience are exposing the party’s fears and tactics.