All Commentary
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The Monitor's View: Facebook 'Home' as metaphor for an innovative economy
The new Facebook 'Home' is designed for a pure social experience, or encouraging more collaboration – the very quality needed to drive innovation in the workplace and spur economic growth.
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Opinion: In Syria, the only way out is a political deal
As in Northern Ireland, no matter how much the warring sides in Syria struggle for a battlefield win, fighting is unlikely to bring either side a real victory. The main parties need to sit down and negotiate a mutually agreed political transition and power-sharing plan for afterward.
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Opinion: Atlanta cheating scandal and Lance Armstrong: How to avoid 'ethical slip'
The Atlanta educators charged with cheating and cyclist Lance Armstrong both fell prey to 'ethical slip' – when little by little, each adjusted his or her own internal compass to point the way of the growing crowd. Self-reflection and friendship can help prevent us from losing our true north.
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The Monitor's View: Australia's example in healing the sexually abused
A special panel begins work taking testimony from Australians sexually abused as children in institutions, such as churches and police stations. Allowing victims to speak will be a first step toward personal healing and national reform.
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Opinion: Iran and world powers should focus on action steps for short-term agreement
As Iran and the world powers prepare for the next round of talks in Kazakhstan on April 5-6, their focus should be on what is politically and logistically achievable at this stage – clear steps that will help address the immediate concerns of both sides.
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Opinion: Liberal hypocrisy on Bloomberg's moneyed fight for gun control
President Obama heads to Colorado today in his push for gun control – a cause NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has spent millions to support. Liberals who usually oppose the influence of money in politics are now praising Bloomberg. Such hypocrisy undermines their cause.
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The Monitor's View: How a Wal-Mart struggle in India shows world progress
Stung by a case of corruption in Mexico, Wal-Mart pushes its Indian associates to be squeaky clean. Such action shows the global effects of a US anti-corruption law.
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Can Latin America resist a return to its populist past?
The interventionist role of the military has mostly disappeared in Latin America. But the temptation of populist politics is greater than ever in some countries, while others are resisting the short-term demands of voters in favor of the long-term sustainability of society. Here's a look at six countries.
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Opinion: EU should welcome Ukraine as a partner for Europe's own good
Ukraine is important to Europe as a source of economic growth and energy security, as well as a bridge to Russia. Western interests and values are best served by engaging Ukraine as a solid European partner.
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The Monitor's View: Amid another North Korea storm, look who's calm
South Koreans, unlike many around the world, don't react with fear to North Korea's verbal and nuclear threats. Why this wise reaction?
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Opinion: Are US drones ethical?
Whether drones should be used in the US is the wrong question. Americans should be asking: Is it ethical to use drones anywhere? Is it fair to search for security for ourselves at the expense of perpetual insecurity for others?
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Opinion: Think you know the Reagan and Bush era? Think again.
Political events in the era of Presidents Reagan and Bush senior have great relevance to today, from budget cuts ('sequestration') to President Obama's agenda. But this history is often remembered incorrectly, or not at all – to the detriment of America's political discourse.
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A balance worth tipping
Conflict-prevention programs in schools aim to shift the view of students, to encourage them that there is something to live for, that life isn’t unfair, and that school is worth their time and attention.
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Trees, meet forest
Navigating an unfamiliar city is a breeze with turn-by-turn directions on Google Maps or other such applications. But are we losing the big-picture view of where we are going?
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Readers Write: The tyranny of America's pro-gun majority; Do guns make us safer?
Letters to the Editor for the April 1, 2013 weekly print issue: Those who want more gun regulation may be in the minority, and those who are anti-regulation in majority, but each must accommodate the other. If more guns means more safety, why does America – with the highest gun ownership rate in the world – have the second highest rate of gun deaths among industrialized nations?
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The Monitor's View: In Atlanta test-cheating scandal, a case for 'good apples'
Indictments of 35 Atlanta educators in a test-cheating scandal may be shocking. But preventing such scandals requires a refocus on tapping the conscience of public servants to choose honesty.
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Opinion: India won't be 'the world's largest democracy' until it upholds human rights
Twenty-five years ago, India suspended part of its Constitution and launched a brutal campaign against Sikh separatists in its Punjab province. Today, India must provide reparations to the victims and vow to uphold human rights, especially in Kashmir and the northeast states.
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The Monitor's View: When helping the poor doesn't help
In a new study, the International Monetary Fund takes aim at energy subsidies, a common practice by countries to help the poor or benefit consumers and industry. The costs far outweigh any benefits, especially for the poor, finds the IMF.
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Opinion: Saudi Arabia vs. China: America can't play favorites with human rights
While the US has been quick to condemn human rights violations in China and rally behind persecuted activists there, President Obama has seemed hesitant to do the same with Saudi Arabia and its persecution of human rights activist Mohammad Fahad Al-Qahtani.
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Opinion: Why I love, but also hate, March Madness
I'm a crazed basketball fan, but as an educator, I hate myself for watching March Madness. College sports are a plague on American higher education. They add a big-ticket item to mounting costs, and they compromise academic quality. Here are the numbers to prove it.
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