All Commentary
The Monitor's ViewMoral mantle for action in Syria slips from UN to ObamaThe Obama administration has all but given up on the UN acting on Syria. It's beefing up aid to rebels taking other steps. But China and Russia can still save the UN's moral leadership by backing tougher sanctions on Assad.
OpinionWhat would 'President Romney' do about Syria?The same thing President Obama has been doing. Contrary to his condemnations of Obama's foreign policy, handling of the Syria crisis, and stance toward Bashar al-Assad, Romney would effectively have the same policy on Syria as Obama.
Five things international community must give Syria after Bashar al-Assad Transition in Syria after Bashar al-Assad will be impossible without constructive international support. From outsiders, Syria will need these five key things:
Four things Syria must do after Bashar al-Assad It’s not too early to consider the way forward for Syria after Bashar al-Assad. Examples in other countries show that a transition will be greatly aided if Syrians can do these four things:- Four things Syria must do after Bashar al-Assad It’s not too early to consider the way forward for Syria after Bashar al-Assad. Examples in other countries show that a transition will be greatly aided if Syrians can do these four things:
OpinionRomney and Obama on foreign policy: short on specificsPresident Obama and Mitt Romney delivered foreign policy speeches to the VFW this week, but neither offered great detail on how they will deal with a fractious world. With Romney on a trip to Britain, Israel, and Poland, let's hope both candidates put tawdry domestic policy sniping on hold.
- A Christian Science Perspective'Rise up and walk'
A Christian Science perspective: The relevance and practicality of Bible's message of healing today.
The Monitor's ViewWill the 2012 campaign be a record for lies – and charges of lying?The Romney and Obama campaigns have lately traded charges of lying – and lying about lying. Big money will add to the high number of false campaign ads. Is there a rub-off on Americans who might see lying as justified?
Global ViewpointWhat America's flawed democracy could learn from China's one-party ruleDemocracy has its problems. The world – especially the US – could learn from China's 'political meritocracy.' Its one party selects leaders based on ability and judgment. They balance the interests of an entire country – and the world, not just finicky voters or big donors.
- Global ViewpointWhat America's flawed democracy could learn from China's one-party rule
Democracy has its problems. The world – especially the US – could learn from China's 'political meritocracy.' Its one party selects leaders based on ability and judgment. They balance the interests of an entire country – and the world, not just finicky voters or big donors.
OpinionAmerica's way out of dependence on Pakistan: IranAmerica’s dependence on Pakistan is a key source of regional instability. The only way out is to find an efficient alternative supply route for NATO supplies into Afghanistan. The Chabahar Road through Iran provides that alternative – if Washington will consider its benefits.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveToward peaceful, inspiring Olympics
A Christian Science perspective.
OpinionVoter ID laws are inherently reasonable, not racist or RepublicanAnalogies between voter ID laws and Jim Crow poll taxes are absurd. That pockets of citizens lack ID is a compelling argument for active voter registration drives, not damning attempts to curb fraud. Ensuring the integrity of our electoral process ought not to be a partisan issue.
Is a pro-Romney ad racist? Five questions to ask yourself Our Index of Racist Potential measures the degree that a political ad has the potential to evoke – consciously or unconsciously – voters’ stereotypical attitudes about people of color, regardless of the intent of the candidate or campaign team. To determine whether a political ad this presidential election season would score on the higher end (more racist) of our index, ask yourself these five sets of questions.- Is a pro-Romney ad racist? Five questions to ask yourself Our Index of Racist Potential measures the degree that a political ad has the potential to evoke – consciously or unconsciously – voters’ stereotypical attitudes about people of color, regardless of the intent of the candidate or campaign team. To determine whether a political ad this presidential election season would score on the higher end (more racist) of our index, ask yourself these five sets of questions.
The Monitor's ViewNCAA sanctions on Penn State football: Why only penalties?Coming just after the removal of the Joe Paterno statue, the NCAA sanctions on Penn State will help the university make a cultural shift away from placing football first. But the NCAA itself also needs to reward schools already doing this.
The end of 'faster, higher, stronger?'As the cream of the world's athletes converge on London for the Olympics, sports scientists say humans may be reaching the limits of their ability to set world records. But that takes nothing away from the drama of athletic competition.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveComfort in response to the shootings in Colorado
A Christian Science perspective: The shootings in a theater in Aurora, Colo. early Friday prompted this resident of Aurora to offer comfort through prayer.
The Monitor's ViewHow to react to Colorado shooting (hint: no dark knight rises)The Colorado shooting during a screening of the Batman movie 'The Dark Knight Rises' will evoke calls for ways to prevent more mass killings. But such tragedies only point to Americans having to learn how best to react personally.
OpinionWith Syria imploding, is Hezbollah next?Hezbollah’s loyalty to the brutal regime in Syria is costing it support and exacerbating divisions in Lebanon. Its message runs contrary to the Arab Spring. If a link is found between the militant group and the bus bombing of Israeli tourists in Bulgaria, that makes it look even weaker.
