All The Monitor's View
- Why Russians may bare their teeth at the World Cup
As host to the soccer tournament, Russia hopes to not only spruce up its image but teach new habits to its people, such as smiling in public. Mega sporting events have a way of universalizing the best in humanity.
- A summit that may pop fear in North Korea
North Koreans saw their leader meeting an archenemy and touting the glories of Singapore’s economy. Kim Jong-un might have unleashed expectations that his dictatorship cannot control.
- The source of Jordan’s river of discontent
A week of protests has rattled both the Hashemite kingdom and the Middle East, in large part because young people focused on an Arab style of favoritism in government and business. A cultural shift against ‘wasta’ may have begun.
- The power of truth-telling about Venezuela
After a sham election in Venezuela, most Latin American nations vote to declare the Maduro regime illegitimate. Their moral courage may translate into bolder steps for a solution.
- Advice from the ants about grasshopper companies
A major business group calls for executives to practice more patience toward a company’s long-term value and ignore ‘quarterly capitalism.’
- Why North Korea may be primed for a deal
Few other countries carry such a heavy burden in military spending. Perhaps Kim Jong-un wants to join a global trend in curbing costs on armed personnel and weapons.
- The high court’s ruling against anti-religion bias
The Supreme Court avoided a ruling on gay rights in order to first deal with a Colorado commission’s antipathy toward the religious views of a baker who discriminated against a same-sex couple. Motives do matter.
- Mexico’s big moment – and one for the US, too
The July 1 election in Mexico may result in a rejection of the political status quo – which calls for the US not to upset this special relationship.
- Spain’s grand example for Europe
Rising public demands for honest governance were behind Friday’s unprecedented ouster of a Spanish prime minister. A new leader must now follow up with more accountability and transparency.
- The other nuclear powers that need attention
Beyond Iran and North Korea, the nuclear-armed rivals of India and Pakistan need help to prevent a war. A cease-fire in disputed Kashmir shows progress, but a deeper reconciliation, especially an understanding in their shared history, is needed.
- For Italy, all roads lead to EU values
A global financial panic triggered by Italy’s political standoff sends a signal about the qualities needed to ensure stability and prosperity.
- Saudi Arabia’s struggle to define national identity
Even as it allows women to drive, the regime arrests those who championed such reform. The contradiction reflects a deeper need for a unifying identity based on universal civic values.
- Europe gets a grip on graft
Even as the EU sets a new standard on digital privacy, it is playing catch-up with the US in preventing bribery of its firms overseas. Together, the US and EU can raise anti-corruption standards.
- A new unity on solutions for climate change
Both parties in Congress now support incentives for capturing carbon emissions from oil, gas, and coal. The political shift from a divisive debate is welcome.
- The deft broker behind plans for a Trump-Kim summit
Over the past year, South Korea’s new president has used praise, warmth, and humility to bring out the best in the American and North Korean leaders.
- A G7 summit with hospitality on the table
As host of June’s Group of Seven gathering, Canada has put two of the latest mass migrations on the agenda. Its own generosity toward migrants should help elevate the West’s response to a global refugee crisis.
- Incentives for inmates to choose a crime-free life
A bill with wide bipartisan backing in the House and supported by Trump would boost rehabilitation programs in federal prisons, building on state successes in reforms aimed at inmates seeking redemption.
- The new calm in combatting Ebola
As health officials rush to contain a new outbreak of the virus in Africa, they are applying lessons from the 2014-16 crisis about the need to contain fear.
- The soft power of openness to other languages
Taiwan has begun to officially recognize its various languages, a sign of its values of openness and tolerance – and independence from China and its imposed language policy.
- Argentina’s cry for help: How the world can respond
A reformist president who rejects Peronist populism faces a financial crisis that requires a lift from the IMF.