All Commentary
- A Christian Science PerspectiveMen, women, and the need for equality
A Christian Science perspective.
- Global ViewpointWTO chief Pascal Lamy: World must change the way it measures trade flows
It is economic nonsense to continue to calculate bilateral trade balances – like those between the US and China – the way we do today. What we need to monitor is the effective added value in each country, not the overall value of goods and services imported and exported.
- Global ViewpointWTO chief Pascal Lamy: World must change the way it measures trade flows
It is economic nonsense to continue to calculate bilateral trade balances – like those between the US and China – the way we do today. What we need to monitor is the effective added value in each country, not the overall value of goods and services imported and exported.
- The Monitor's ViewSyria protests must stick to nonviolence
Saudi Arabia may be arming Syrian protesters as more of them turn to violence against Assad's brutality. They must not lose the moral force of peaceful tactics used in Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen.
- OpinionThose defending US Constitution from sharia must have failed high school civics
Those like Newt Gingrich who try to exploit sharia hysteria to foster fear of Muslims in the US not only fail to understand sharia, they also fail to understand the ideals of religious freedom upon which America was built.
- A Christian Science PerspectivePrayer for Homs, Syria
A Christian Science perspective: Inspired by a visit to Homs, Syria, several years ago, this writer now embraces the city in prayer as it faces increased violence in the streets.
- The Monitor's ViewObama apology to Afghans for Quran burning: All forgiven?
Thousands of Afghan turned violent, some even killing American officers, despite the Obama apology for the 'inadvertent' Quran burning. Forgiveness doesn't come easily if an apology isn't seen as sincere.
- Walter RodgersSigns of hope in Pakistan – America's prickly ally
It's difficult to make sense of Pakistan's pulsating political chaos, corruption, and instability. Yet pessimistic views of Pakistan, while endemic in the West, differ considerably from the perspective of Pakistani analysts who cautiously point to half a dozen hopeful developments.
- Walter RodgersSigns of hope in Pakistan – America's prickly ally
It's difficult to make sense of Pakistan's pulsating political chaos, corruption, and instability. Yet pessimistic views of Pakistan, while endemic in the West, differ considerably from the perspective of Pakistani analysts who cautiously point to half a dozen hopeful developments.
- OpinionHow student-built solar homes can help solve US housing and energy crisis
Few of the homes created by university teams in the Solar Decathlon are ever lived in – despite their extraordinary expense and tax on the environment. Instead of building temporary show houses, schools should build energy-efficient homes for local people who need them.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveOhio shooting: Affirm Life
A Christian Science perspective: The tragic shootings at Chardon High School in Ohio are a call to prayer to embrace the students, their families, and the community.
- The Monitor's ViewWhy America can 'make stuff' again – just not the old stuff
Obama and GOP candidates like Romney and Santorum compete in Rust Belt states like Michigan by promising a return to the heyday of manufacturing. They must instead focus on America's unique receptivity to new ideas for business.
- Five steps to bring back American manufacturing jobs Many proclaim that American manufacturing is gone, never to return. The numbers certainly are frightening. Yet other signs point to a possible resurgence. Manufacturing executive Carol Ptak argues that significant numbers of good manufacturing jobs can and will return if America takes the following five steps.
- OpinionWhy credit unions and small businesses are beating out big banks
Community-based capitalism offers an exciting new model for American prosperity and a way out of the current economic morass. Constructive Capitalism is shareable, local, and sustainable. Examples of its impact abound.
- A Christian Science PerspectivePlanting peace
A Christian Science perspective.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Islamists still dangerous; Irish history matters; US needs a CEO prez
Letters to the editor for the February 27 weekly print issue: One reader worries that despite post-Arab Spring political involvement, Islamists still have the potential for religious tyranny and terror. Another reader defends a common subject of Irish films – The Troubles – as still relevant. A third reader takes issue with a column arguing that the US doesn't need a CEO president.
- The Monitor's View'Friends of Syria': Which good cause will bring unity for action?
At both the UN and at a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Tunisia, a consensus is steadily forming over which universal value can justify strong action on Syria.
- OpinionMelissa Harris-Perry show at MSNBC breaks more than gender, race barrier
Melissa Harris-Perry is the first African American woman to solo-host a news and politics show on a major television outlet, MSNBC. But she also breaks a pundit barrier. As a professor at Tulane University, she raises academia to a new level where it can enrich public discourse.
- OpinionThis primary season, peel off political labels
It's primary season, so America is into political labels. Which is the real conservative, Romney or Santorum? Is Obama a European socialist? The more important question may be, 'What are you?' Surprisingly, the answer is probably 'all of the above.'
- OpinionNations must learn from past mistakes in helping Somalia
This week Britain led another international attempt to help Somalia, a dysfunctional state plagued by piracy and terrorism. Nations must learn from the past that trying to build up a central government in Somalia won't work. It's the regions and sub-clans that need bolstering.