All Commentary
The Monitor's ViewWhat Janet Yellen must do at Federal ReservePresident Obama's nominee for Fed chief, Janet Yellen, needs to look beyond financial data to create jobs and avoid inflation. The Great Recession showed that economists must also deal with giant lapses in character, even at the Fed.
OpinionWhy Obama, UN can't fully trust Assad on chemical weapons in SyriaBashar al-Assad's recent track record shows it is likely the regime will not live up to agreements on Syria's chemical weapons with the UN, Russia, and the US unless there are repercussions for stonewalling. For Obama, that means keeping the threat of military force alive.
OpinionUS government shutdown, debt debate have hefty international price tagWhatever success Republicans might achieve with the government shutdown and debt strategy, political dysfunction in Washington is not cost-free internationally. Nowhere are the risks to US interests greater than in Asia, where President Obama was supposed to be this week.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveWhen you want to do something about society's ills
A Christian Science perspective: Praying can help us hear the voice of good that overcomes evil.
The Monitor's ViewTo end Egypt's violence, a truce on Islamic fatwasBoth sides in Egypt's violent struggle to restart democracy have evoked Islamic edicts. Yet a democracy based on liberty of conscience requires a separation of mosque and state.
Five bipartisan fixes for US debt crisis Whether in the coming weeks or later, the US s going to have to grapple with its long-term debt challenge. We at the Bipartisan Policy Center suggest these five solutions – stemming from the work of prominent leaders, Republicans and Democrats – to address US debt.- Five bipartisan fixes for US debt crisis Whether in the coming weeks or later, the US s going to have to grapple with its long-term debt challenge. We at the Bipartisan Policy Center suggest these five solutions – stemming from the work of prominent leaders, Republicans and Democrats – to address US debt.
OpinionUS Supreme Court must not ignore inequalityIn cases on campaign finance (McCutcheon v. FEC) and affirmative action, the US Supreme Court will again consider how best to ensure 'a level playing field.' The Roberts court should be careful not to favor an idealized principle of equal treatment that ignores social realities.
A Christian Science PerspectiveA lesson from autumn leavesA Christian Science perspective: What had started out as cleaning up leaves as “Dad’s little helper” suddenly turned sour.
The Monitor's ViewBritain's battle against online pornPrime Minister David Cameron steps up his plan to guard children from the effects of Internet pornography. Even credit-card firms that deal with porn sites may be enlisted. Britain could be a model in how to fight the sexualization of children.
How to break the cycle of massive teacher strikes in MexicoDisruptive teacher strikes are a tradition in Mexico. Students suffer most from the practice, which can end if the federal government admits to its use of excessive force against the teachers union and if the union admits that its arm-twisting tactics do more harm than good.
- How to break the cycle of massive teacher strikes in Mexico
Disruptive teacher strikes are a tradition in Mexico. Students suffer most from the practice, which can end if the federal government admits to its use of excessive force against the teachers union and if the union admits that its arm-twisting tactics do more harm than good.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Help for middle class helps US; Appreciation for Budge Sperling
Letters to the Editor for the October 7, 2013 weekly print magazine:
Too many lawmakers cannot see that increasing the share of wealth at the top by weakening the middle class leads to less spending, lower profits, and a slower economy.
Reading the recent tribute to former Washington, D.C., bureau chief and Monitor Breakfast creator Godfrey "Budge" Sperling Jr. was like a warm and vivid visit with Budge himself.
The quest for energy security: long, slow, increasingly successfulFor decades, energy security was a major concern to consumers, businesses, and governments. There was no magic solution to the problem. Instead, persistent effort and incremental improvement made the difference.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveThe spiritual case for sustainability
A Christian Science perspective: Some spiritual insights on finding sustainable solutions for the world's energy needs.
The Monitor's ViewSupreme Court, campaign finance, and civic literacyAs the Supreme Court weighs the latest challenge to a campaign finance law, reformers must also challenge the view that voters are 'civic slackers.'
A call from Kenya's youth for unity, not reprisals, after Westgate Mall terror attackAs former rival gang members from Nairobi's slums we know that the best response to violence is peace and unity. In the wake of the Westgate Mall terror attack, we implore people in Kenya not to respond with violence and reprisals, especially against Muslims and Somalis.
- A call from Kenya's youth for unity, not reprisals, after Westgate Mall terror attack
As former rival gang members from Nairobi's slums we know that the best response to violence is peace and unity. In the wake of the Westgate Mall terror attack, we implore people in Kenya not to respond with violence and reprisals, especially against Muslims and Somalis.
Global ViewpointExpect a nuclear deal with Iran's Rouhani – but not normal ties with USIran's President Rouhani is sincere about a nuclear deal, because the costs of building a nuclear bomb are too high. But demonizing the US is still the linchpin of foreign policy for a certain faction in Tehran. For them, normalization of US relations would mean the regime's end.
- Global ViewpointExpect a nuclear deal with Iran's Rouhani – but not normal ties with US
Iran's President Rouhani is sincere about a nuclear deal, because the costs of building a nuclear bomb are too high. But demonizing the US is still the linchpin of foreign policy for a certain faction in Tehran. For them, normalization of US relations would mean the regime's end.
