All The Monitor's View
- Lebanon awakes to fearmongering
Days of protests reveal a diverse nation shaking off corrupt politicians who divide by sects to stay in power.
- Wanted: Ethical intelligence for artificial intelligence
From the Pentagon to the United Nations, leaders seek advice on AI’s potential to harm – or to serve.
- Friendship across political lines
Ellen DeGeneres and George W. Bush socializing sets an example for keeping doors open for those on the opposite side of issues.
- A radical choice for equality in Tunisia
A law professor wins the presidency with his ideas – and actions – of equal opportunity for equality. Tunisia again inspires the Middle East on democracy’s fundamentals.
- New poverty busters get their due
This year’s Nobel prize in economics puts a spotlight on a new type of research that brings a fresh view of the poor as capable and resilient.
- Why a peace prize befits Ethiopia's leader
Like a 21st-century Mandela, Abiy Ahmed prepared himself with a mental peace to be able to bring it to others.
- The global bandwagon on tax integrity
One of the more notorious tax havens, Cayman Islands, commits to honesty and openness in financial transactions.
- The borderless power of sports
In Iran and China, the globalization of sports – and its values – is helping transcend frictions over religion and nationalism.
- Life without plastic? The idea gains a big player.
Consumer-goods giant Unilever sets an example with its radical plan to collect more plastic than it sells.
- How a splintered country plans to mend
Ethiopia’s new reconciliation commission aims not at punishment for a violent past but at exposure of root causes for past injustices, all in hope of forgiveness and unity.
- Young Iraqis looking for clean leaders
Days of protests in Iraq reflect a maturing democracy but also a desire for a quick solution to corruption.
- Law and forgiveness in a Texas courtroom
An offer of forgiveness by Brandt Jean to the killer of his brother shows how the justice system can make room for acts that bring repentance and reconciliation.
- Quick legal comfort to end the opioid crisis
With the help of a clever federal judge, thousands of court cases against the opioid industry might soon end in a negotiated settlement, bringing quick funds to local communities in desperate need.
- The antidote for China’s violent turn
With a police shooting in Hong Kong and a parade in Beijing of offensive weapons, China needs a return to its ancient ideas about power and pluralism.
- The headwinds against legalized sports betting
After a Supreme Court ruling that allowed states to approve online sports gambling, most states still have doubts about doing so. Big sports leagues should note the reluctance to turn games of talent into games of chance.
- Spain starts to lose fear of the past
The peaceful way the country is dealing with Franco’s remains could lead to necessary reflection on his fascist rule.
- Unlearning corruption, the Indonesian way
Mass protests this week by young people to save an anti-corruption agency show one of the world’s most corrupt nations may be seeing a big change in public attitudes.
- Unimpeachable values for an impeachment
The House speaker laid out a baseline of ideals to judge any wrongdoing by the president. That’s a start for Americans to reach a consensus on the virtues at stake.
- Neighborly nudges between nations
A Latin American group’s effort to penalize the Venezuelan regime is the latest example of regional bodies trying to fix an errant country in their neighborhood.
- Israeli Arabs make plain Israel’s identity
Once apathetic voters, their high turnout in an election and endorsement of a Zionist to form a government reveal a faith in a democracy with equality for all.