All Commentary
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The Monitor's View: Putin's drive for Russian identity
In a big speech Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin said Russians lack 'spiritual braces.' He joins other world leaders who recently made similar warnings about their people. Should governments, especially those with weak democratic credentials, be promoting moral values? 12/13/2012 03:08 pm
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Opinion: Two ways US and Europe can boost their economies
The US and Europe now have two great opportunities to give their economies a much needed boost. One is to successfully navigate their debt mountains and fiscal cliffs. The other is to finally negotiate a US-EU free trade agreement. 12/13/2012 12:29 pm
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Opinion: US colleges need affirmative action for conservative professors
As a devout Democrat, I can't believe I'm saying this, but Bill O’Reilly is right. Universities should institute affirmative action for conservative professors, so all the professors aren't overwhelmingly liberal, as the recent national elections confirmed. 12/13/2012 10:33 am
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The Monitor's View: Why a US-EU trade pact would be historic
China's model of state-run capitalism needs a massive challenge from the two giant market economies. Obama must win a US-EU trade pact in his second term. 12/12/2012 04:26 pm
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How to survive in a tech-driven economy
Technological innovation has made the US economy more productive, but this new economy creates fewer jobs, and wages are suffering. Preparing workers for an era when productivity and employment are no longer linked will be the grand challenge of the next generation. 12/12/2012 12:14 pm
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Opinion: Egypt and other Arab democracies will not survive without including more women
Despite their sacrifices during the Arab revolutions, Arab women are glaringly absent from the new parliaments, constitutional drafting committees, and cabinet appointments – especially in Egypt. But democracy, like revolution, is unsustainable in the Middle East without the inclusion of women. 12/12/2012 11:48 am
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The Monitor's View: Shaping the world of 2030
A US intelligence report to the president on global trends to the year 2030 is generally upbeat. But like any futuristic study, its foresight needs hindsight in the reading. 12/11/2012 03:30 pm
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Opinion: Beyond the 'fiscal cliff,' America's kids need more – not less – government spending
As the 'fiscal cliff' approaches, John Boehner and other lawmakers should beware of another kind of deficit – the growing opportunity deficit for low-income US children, already present by the time they enter kindergarten. Government can help with universal childcare and preschool. 12/11/2012 12:35 pm
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Opinion: How the US can prevent the use and spread of Syria's chemical weapons
The conflict in Syria could become even more deadly if Bashar al-Assad uses or loses control of his sizeable arsenal of chemical weapons. The international community’s options to prevent these scenarios are limited, but they do provide a starting point. 12/11/2012 10:30 am
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The Monitor's View: Why latest failure of global warming talks may be a success
The weak outcome of the climate change talks in Doha only add to the momentum toward solutions at the local level, where values on the common good are more easily shared. 12/10/2012 04:44 pm
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Opinion: Return on American humanitarian aid: They like us
From Indonesia – the world's largest Muslim nation – to Pakistan, recipients of American humanitarian aid improve their opinions of the United States, especially when that aid is targeted at individuals, and not governments. 12/10/2012 01:07 pm
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Opinion: 'Fiscal cliff' or not, tax reform is easier said than done
As part of any deal on the 'fiscal cliff,' Congress will likely take up comprehensive tax reform. That's a worthy goal, but it will involve more political and economic pain than most would like to admit. Every line in the tax code has its own constituency and rationale. 12/10/2012 11:33 am
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Readers Write: Preserve local news; Japan's nuclear dilemma is an energy dilemma
Letters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of December 10, 2012: Local news gives citizens the information to get involved and affect their immediate environment and the political decisions that shape it. Japan's problem is that is has no viable energy options other than nuclear power. 12/10/2012 12:00 am
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The Monitor's View: How to avoid revenge killings in post-Assad Syria
The end appears near for the Assad regime in Syria. The opposition and world powers must do more to prevent the kind of post-conflict revenge – mainly against Alawites – that could ricochet in the Middle East. 12/07/2012 04:21 pm
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Opinion: How to protect Americans from anti-terrorism data sharing
Across the United States, dozens of 'fusion centers' pool and share information in an effort to prevent another September 11. But these centers have not been effective anti-terrorism tools and have violated Americans' rights. Here's how they can be fixed. 12/07/2012 11:33 am
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Opinion: Plan B for raising debt ceiling: Obama should invoke the Constitution
President Obama wisely wants to resolve the looming crises with the debt ceiling and the 'fiscal cliff ' now. If he can't strike a debt-ceiling deal, he has another option: Bring out the Constitution, whose 14th Amendment states that the 'validity' of US debt 'shall not be questioned.' 12/06/2012 01:23 pm
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The Monitor's View: Look to Lincoln to solve 'fiscal cliff'
As the Spielberg movie 'Lincoln' and many books about Abraham Lincoln reveal, solving difficult standoffs in Washington takes more than savvy politics and horse-trading. Lincoln had to first turn to deeper ideals that then helped him win allies. 12/06/2012 01:09 pm
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Opinion: Obama and Israel are walking away from two-state solution with Palestinians (+video)
By refusing to support the Palestinian bid at the UN, President Obama has essentially endorsed a No State Solution between Israel and Palestine. Changing course is possible. A good place to start would be threatening to remove US aid to Israel, given its plans for more settlement building. 12/06/2012 11:33 am
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The Monitor's View: Making the world flat-out against corruption
The latest ranking of perceived corruption among nations doesn't show much change. But other evidence points to a grassroots rebellion against graft in hopes of a culture of honesty. 12/05/2012 04:04 pm
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The Monitor's View: Are Americans ready to deal with Syria's chemical weapons?
On Monday, Obama strongly warned Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad not to use chemical weapons as rebels advance on Damascus. What is the national interest in threatening US action? Obama must sort out the moral purpose. 12/05/2012 02:27 pm
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