All The Monitor's View
- Apple’s stumble may be China’s gain
The tech giant’s data about the Chinese market shows why Beijing must embrace honesty and transparency in its statistics.
- Where age is a state of mind
Coverage of Nancy Pelosi’s election as House speaker was remarkable in not focusing on her age. Is this a sign of a shift against stereotypes on aging?
- Why civic values are Taiwan’s best defense
In a public debate, the leaders of China and Taiwan reveal what it takes to create a national identity rooted in shared ideals.
- The impetus driving an anti-lynching bill
Senate passage of a bill defining lynching as a hate crime is long in coming. But if a new Congress in 2019 can finally address this brutal practice, it will at least highlight how moral progress is made.
- Hold off the forecasts of doom
Despite its ‘worst of times’ feel, the world in 2018 made progress. And more should be expected in 2019.
- New missiles and old treaties
Russia tested a potentially much more lethal nuclear missile yesterday. At the same time the US seems ready to abandon hard-won current arms control treaties.
- Those tiny flying intruders
The drones that buzzed London’s Gatwick airport earlier this month show that these little unmanned aircraft need more attention from authorities.
- When Christmas bells ring
Long ago an American found comfort and inspiration listening to them. They can still chime in hearts today.
- Beneath the bowl game glamour
The holidays are festooned with televised college football. But the sport needs to care more for its players.
- Facebook’s terrible, horrible year
The social media giant has been the subject of congressional hearings and numerous investigations for its casual sharing of user data. Now it needs to do the hard work to reshape itself as an ethical entity.
- Joining hands on migration
A US-Mexican agreement recognizes that solutions to the flow of migrants begin with improving conditions in Central America – and with working together on the problem.
- Climate change action goes home
The just-concluded COP24 conference in Poland took only a few modest steps forward. What each country does now will determine whether real progress can be made.
- Navigating the giving season, with joy
One way to reverse a decline in volunteering and boost charity is to know better how to do both – and why.
- What strips power from today’s emperors
Challenges to strong democratic leaders are common. In China, ruled by a ‘supreme leader,’ a pastor has challenged personal rule by pointing to the real source of power.
- An unlikely place for women to help end a tragic war
A new cease-fire in Yemen’s war required women at the table. For a country with the largest gender gap, this is a breakthrough for the whole Middle East.
- Putin’s praise of a truth-telling dissident
For the centennial of the birth of the late Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Russia’s leader only highlights why those with ‘open eyes’ on official lies can alter history.
- Global solutions on migration start at home
While many nations signed a global migration pact this week, the debate in most countries showed the need for an identity check, one that will determine the size of their welcome mat.
- How to soften big conflicts in small ways
A new democratic leader in Armenia is treading a special path by looking to end a tense standoff with Azerbaijan with a ‘people-oriented approach.’
- Look who’s ponying up for climate change
More private investors see gold in going green, a reflection of larger trends in financial institutions to invest in society’s broad goals.
- For peace in Afghanistan, a new view of women
As talks on a political settlement gain momentum, the Taliban seem to admit Afghans no longer accept archaic views about women.