All The Monitor's View
- 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.
- Why youth are leading climate strikes
The Sept. 20 protests over global heating reflect a rise in youth-led activism and the particular perspectives of young people, starting with their innocence.
- Trudeau’s ultimate test in making apologies
After apologizing often for official misdeeds of past governments, the prime minister faces voters over a racist-tinged misdeed and their judgment on his contrition.
- Why global health emergencies first need a dose of trust
A new world body set up to track preparedness for pandemics finds a key missing piece is trust in basic institutions. One cure: more community engagement.
- The 'cry' in El Salvador to clean house
A new president with an anti-corruption mandate starts to set up an international investigative body that might help curb violence and reduce emigration.
- Patience as a tool of statecraft
At least one world leader, Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, sees the virtue of asking for patience to solve such problems as ethnic violence.
- Elections that shape identity, not just shift power
Civic unity keeps rising in two Arab democracies, Iraq and Tunisia, that only recently were riven by religious divides. Just look at Tunisia’s presidential election with 26 candidates.
- Mood lift for climate action
A report from a prestigious group looks at ways that adaptation to global warming can counter hopelessness about slow progress in preventing warming.
- A continental model for gender parity
Two of Europe’s most powerful executive bodies are slated to be run by women, a result of a more inclusive view of every person’s capabilities.
- Why curbs on youth vaping can succeed
The latest U.S. campaign on teen use of e-cigarettes is an example of global efforts to safeguard the innocence of children.
- The Afghan way to a deal with the Taliban
President Trump’s scuttled talks with the militant group can now lead to a focus on an election that will further show the source of power in Afghanistan.