All Commentary
OpinionDeath penalty: A pragmatic case for repealMomentum in the states is shifting toward the repeal of the death penalty. There are practical reasons for this: The death penalty is expensive, it does not work, and it is administered with a clear racial bias. Repealing it is a matter of justice, public safety, and effective governance.
- A Christian Science PerspectivePrayer and first responders
A Christian Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewEurope's ideals win a Serbia-Kosovo pactAn agreement approved Monday by Serbia and Kosovo will put an official end to 1990s genocidal conflict. It also serves as a model for ending other conflicts driven by ethnic, religious, and land disputes.
OpinionAfter Boston bombings: Beware Russia-US cooperation on counter-terrorismAfter the Boston bombings, Russian President Putin and US President Obama announced closer cooperation on counter-terrorism. But Americans should have their eyes wide open about any counter-terrorism agreements with Russia.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: How to stop illegal immigration; 'Sequester' is hurting criminal justice
Letters to the Editor for the April 22 & 29, 2013 weekly print issue: It's fair to say that if there were no hiring of illegal immigrants, none would come. Sweeping federal spending cuts are having a devastating effect on the criminal-justice system and its ability to carry out constitutional mandates.
OpinionImmigration reform is a women's issueThe overwhelming majority of undocumented women are mothers – high-value, low-risk members of society. As workers, wives, and pillars of their communities, they have particular needs from any immigration reform bill.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveCalm in a crisis
A Christian Science perspective: There is hope in the aftermath of the tragedies that took place last week – the explosion in West, Texas, and the bombings at the Boston Marathon.
The Monitor's ViewSearch for motives in Boston bombing: What it means for everyoneWhat might have motivated suspects Tamerland and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in the Boston bombings? Simplistic answers – say, Islamic militancy or immigrant anger – may not suffice. Yet knowing such motives may help everyone act to prevent such attacks.
OpinionMotive in Boston bombings: Look to tribal code of honorThe Tsarnaev brothers, suspects in the Boston bombings, are ethnic Chechens, stemming from a tribal society in which a code of honor and revenge plays a major role. As questions turn to motive, this code may be far more relevant than the brothers' views of Islam.
Global ViewpointEgypt's misguided search for heroesA change of mind-set about Egypt's history and future is necessary in that country. The history of nations is not defined by heroes in the presidential palace but by heroes on the street. Egypt must focus on building citizen-led institutions to best meet current and future challenges.
- Global ViewpointEgypt's misguided search for heroes
A change of mind-set about Egypt's history and future is necessary in that country. The history of nations is not defined by heroes in the presidential palace but by heroes on the street. Egypt must focus on building citizen-led institutions to best meet current and future challenges.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveEarth Day: What Earth do we celebrate?
A Christian Science perspective: What are we cherishing, valuing, looking to understand and preserve?
The Monitor's ViewThe right way to put more women in boardroomsJapan and Germany each announced goals last week to put more women in top company slots. Yet their approaches differ. And new research indicates gender qualities can't be stereotyped according to sexual differences. This suggests official bias based on sex could be misplaced.
OpinionBoston bombing: Media haste makes mistakesThe rush for information about the Chechen suspects in the Boston bombing has led to mistaken reporting and pointing to innocents. The authorities, though, have not misled the public. It is important to let them do their jobs, and not rush to a judgment that may well be false.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveHealing our city
A Christian Science perspective: One Bostonian reflects on the interfaith service held in Boston Thursday, uniting diverse faith traditions in prayer for hope and healing.
The Monitor's ViewPost-bomb faith service for Boston reaches for the lightThree days after the Boston Marathon bombing, President Obama and local clergy join in a healing service that shows how to respond to the hatred of a terrorist act.
OpinionWhy the 90 percent lost on gun background checksThe Senate defeated background checks for gun sales, despite 90 percent of Americans favoring broader checks. The simplest explanation for this is Senate procedures, but NRA intensity counts for a lot. The way ahead for gun control groups is to match the NRA email for email.
OpinionTalks with North Korea? Better to apply financial pressureSouth Korea and the US must be skeptical about future talks, not least because North Korea has no incentive to change. However, the North is vulnerable to financial pressure, as seen when the US once sanctioned an Asian bank that handled North Korean money.
- A Christian Science PerspectivePrayer for North Korea
A Christian Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewWhat the immigration reform bill still needsThe eight senators who crafted an immigration reform bill deserve praise for finding a bipartisan compromise. But the bill needs a theme other than economics and security to help place immigration's role in defining the nation's identity.
