All Commentary
OpinionHow US, Russia can agree on missile defenseUS and Russia relations are in a nosedive over Eric Snowden, Syria, and Iran. One way to reverse that is for Presidents Putin and Obama to agree on missile defense at a planned summit in September. US-Russian cooperation in space can serve as a model.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveEgypt: let divine Love rule
A Christian Science perspective: As Egyptians seek a renaissance in national identity, a recent visitor to Egypt invites the world to wrap the nation in a loving embrace.
Tolerance: The Nile's age-old lessonTo share the resources of the great river in the desert has always required one thing above all else: tolerance. In today's Egypt, that fundamental condition has been severely shaken.
The Monitor's ViewAfter Zimbabwe election, Mugabe needs a way outThe Zimbabwe election on July 31 appears rigged and could lead to a repeat crisis like that after a 2008 vote. The African nation needs a peaceful transition through some form of forgiveness.
Global ViewpointSnooping vs. privacy – lessons for an age of transparencyIt's not possible to stop a Bradley Manning or Edward Snowden. They reflect society's push for individualism, suspicion of authority, and digital transparency. Instead, the NSA, FBI, and others must embrace openness, and face greater oversight.
- Global ViewpointSnooping vs. privacy – lessons for an age of transparency
It's not possible to stop a Bradley Manning or Edward Snowden. They reflect society's push for individualism, suspicion of authority, and digital transparency. Instead, the NSA, FBI, and others must embrace openness, and face greater oversight.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveJoy at the birth
A Christian Science perspective: Welcome, Prince George!
The Monitor's ViewStep up solutions for Syrian war's symptoms: refugeesAs the rate of Syrians fleeing the war rises, so must the global response. The war's causes may not yet be solvable – killings now top 100,000. But its symptoms can be.
OpinionTo end Syria civil war, West must guarantee minorities' safety with peacekeeping forceMinorities in Syria support the Assad regime because they fear the alternative. To erode Bashar al-Assad's base of support, Western leaders should offer meaningful security reassurances to Syria's minorities, including the promise of an international peacekeeping force.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveFinding justice
A Christian Science perspective: Even in the most unjust of circumstances, justice can be found.
The Monitor's ViewHow 'play ball' can also mean 'play fair'After Major League Baseball suspended Brewers' star outfielder Ryan Braun for violating drug rules, other MLB players and the players union reacted with surprising support for restoring integrity to pro ball. That's a welcome shift for honest sport.
OpinionTo cut entitlements, US can look to one of Europe's welfare statesThe mounting cost of entitlements will only grow larger as baby boomers age. Four senators have proposed bipartisan legislation to fix one part of the mess, but more is needed. Congress should look to an unlikely model – Sweden's bipartisan pension reform of the 90s.
Readers respond: How well did the media cover the Zimmerman trial?Public reaction remains strong to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. In a recent Monitor op-ed, Doug Spero decried what he saw as biased coverage of the case. Monitor readers on Facebook had strong views on the topic, too.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveDetroit, bankruptcy, and hope for the future
A Christian Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewWhat will drive Israelis, Palestinians to talksWith Secretary John Kerry confident of talks starting soon, the new imperatives in the US and Middle East can help drive a peace deal between Israel and Palestinian leaders.
OpinionObama's proposal to tax municipal bonds will hurt states, cities, and AmericansA proposal to impose a federal tax on revenues from municipal bonds would be a destructive and unconstitutional way for profligate Washington to raise funds. The tax would deter investors and squeeze cash-strapped states and cities like Detroit. Americans would pay the price.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveThe unseen forces of divine Love
A Christian Science perspective: Divine Love warms the heart. It dissolves impasses, restores justice, forgives and forgets.
The Monitor's ViewSaving children's innocence from Internet pornIn a bold move, British Prime Minister David Cameron strikes a welcome balance between Internet freedom and society's hope to protect children from Internet pornography and the child-murderers who act on it.
OpinionHow TV news failed Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman, and American peopleIn the hours of continuous broadcast coverage I monitored during and after the trial of George Zimmerman for the death of Trayvon Martin, I couldn’t believe the lack of balance in coverage. Walter Cronkite warned that without a strong unbiased press, democracy would struggle.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: New economy fuels green energy, entrepreneurship; Pray in secret
Letters to the Editor for the July 22, 2013 weekly print issue:
The destructive extractive economy is indeed changing, as is the expectation of what constitutes a truly satisfying standard of living. Bozeman, Mont. epitomizes a new economy with a respect for environmental conservation.
In the debate of prayer in school, it's worth remembering that Jesus said to pray in private and silently, not publicly.
