All Commentary
- Global ViewpointBrzezinski: Can democracies thrive with financial systems that are out of control?In an interview, Zbigniew Brzezinski, one of America’s leading strategists, discusses shifting global power, looking at China, Europe, Turkey, Russia, the US, and the Arab Spring.
- Global ViewpointBrzezinski: Can democracies thrive with financial systems that are out of control?In an interview, Zbigniew Brzezinski, one of America’s leading strategists, discusses shifting global power, looking at China, Europe, Turkey, Russia, the US, and the Arab Spring.
- 3 reasons why China isn't overtaking the US Most Americans fear that China will soon surpass the United States in global power and economic clout. But this widespread view is wrong, based on sloppy analysis and outdated conceptions of national power, says Michael Beckley of Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. People who believe that China is overtaking the US make at least one of the following three mistakes.
- OpinionState of the Union address: best and worst in historyThe State of the Union address is a big moment for a president, but not usually a memorable one for the public. Americans are more likely to remember Gabrielle Giffords at tonight's speech than anything Obama says. Still, the speech has had its high points, and low ones.
- OpinionThanks to Occupy, rich-poor gap is front and center. See Mitt Romney's tax return.Thanks to the Occupy movement and information easily disseminated on the Internet, Americans are better informed about the rich-poor gap. The issue will continue to figure prominently in this election. Case in point: The hoopla over Mitt Romney's tax return.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveHere today, here tomorrowA Christian Science perspective.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: Gingrich isn't the only indecent politicianLetters to the Editor for the weekly issue of January 23, 2011: GOP voters aren't the only 'hypocrites' out there – endorsing Newt Gingrich (with a history of moral failings) over squeaky clean Mitt Romney, while hating family man Obama. Remember Democrats' love of Bill Clinton?
- The Monitor's ViewSelf-immolation as protest tactic rises in Tibet, Middle EastPolitical suicides by fire rise among many Tibetans and Arabs as their situations grow desperate. But such a tactic often fails to ignite protest, and itself raises questions.
- OpinionBiggest loser in South Carolina isn't Santorum. It's evangelical leadership.Evangelical leaders endorsed Rick Santorum ahead of the South Carolina primary, but evangelical voters didn't listen – pushing Newt Gingrich to victory instead. This departure marks a dramatic shift in the movement – with far-reaching implications for American politics.
- Global ViewpointRise of the dragon: China isn't censoring the Internet. It's making it work.Beijing recently strengthened Internet regulations, particularly on the popular microblogging site Weibo. Critics warn that more government monitoring and self-censorship by hosting companies further violates freedom of expression. The reality is far more complicated.
- Global ViewpointRise of the dragon: China isn't censoring the Internet. It's making it work.Beijing recently strengthened Internet regulations, particularly on the popular microblogging site Weibo. Critics warn that more government monitoring and self-censorship by hosting companies further violates freedom of expression. The reality is far more complicated.
- Why play's the thingWhile discipline and practice are crucial in life, we need play time to let creativity bloom, to imagine the impossible, to ask the 'what if' questions.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveFinding your childlike heartA Christian Science perspective.
- The Monitor's ViewOne year after Egypt's revolution, dictators on the defensiveOn the one-year anniversary of Egypt's uprising, the world is less free because dictators reacted to the Arab Spring. But at least now they are on notice, forcing the issue of democracy.
- OpinionLike Obama? Vote for Gingrich.In most states, unaffiliated voters can vote in either party’s primary, and in some cases, partisans can cross party lines to vote in the other party’s primary. In these states, Obama supporters should – for strategic reasons – show up and vote for Newt Gingrich in the Republican primary.
- OpinionEuropean debt crisis: Germany's fight against KeynesThe European debt crisis provides Germany the opportunity to preach its disciplined approach to monetary policy. Should it succeed in remaking Europe in its monetary image, Europe will prosper. Those who follow the Anglo-American model of Keynsian loose money must fall in line.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveYour deserved restA Christian Science perspective.
- The Monitor's ViewEight reasons to hit 'mute' during TV ads by super PACsFirst Iowa, now South Carolina, have seen the first wave of political TV ads from super PACs – mostly negative – that will smother the 2012 elections. Voters have an easy way to avoid such ads.
- 5 reasons US must avoid war with Iran Do the drumbeaters calling for ‘war with Iran’ never learn from history? It is tempting to dismiss their hot air as an attempt to score political points, but its sheer volume is worrying. Two former US hostages in Iran, L. Bruce Laingen and John Limbert, say Obama must ignore the war talk, and offer five key points for Washington to keep in mind.
- OpinionHow Obama can slash defense budget: Cut unnecessary nuclear weapons programsIn order to reach its goal of at least $480 billion in Pentagon savings over the next decade, the Obama administration must scale back previous schemes for a new generation of strategic nuclear weapons delivery systems.