Opinion

All Opinion

Finding peace for Israelis and Palestinians among people – not policies

John Kerry or the Arab League may prod a peace deal into place, but nothing can last unless ordinary people living under the policy see that every Israeli is not a settler and every Palestinian does not begrudge Israel a right to exist. I've seen the groundwork of that dialogue at work.
Progress in caring for survivors of military sexual assault

Military sexual trauma is too often exacerbated by poor care in the aftermath. While the Defense Department struggles to improve prevention and prosecution, the VA is has made strides to ensure veterans receive respect and treatment. But more work needs to be done.
To combat hunger, give land rights to world's poor women

A lack of land rights for the poor fuels global hunger. With no ownership, land is poorly cultivated, and families subsist as day laborers or indentured servants. Giving land to the poor, especially women, allows them to grow food for their families and sell crops to pay for education.
US must not miss new opportunity to engage with Iran

For 30 years, the US and Iran have squandered engagement opportunities. President Obama – especially as US officials meet with allies in Brussels today to discuss next steps in nuclear negotiations with Tehran – should avoid a redux with Iran’s President-elect Hassan Rouhani.
US can't afford to cede green energy industry to its competitors

America used to be the leader in clean energy, but it has been surpassed by China and others. The US can't afford to lose the jobs and economic benefits of green energy. Like its competitors, America needs standards that mandate percentages of green energy by key deadlines.
For Obama, Bush, Reagan, no vacation from politics

President Obama doesn’t have his own ranch or summer compound as a vacation retreat, so he stays in rental properties, which seem high-end. Obama has also spent much less time on vacation than his predecessor. In truth, presidents don't get a real break from their job – or from politics.
Halting aid to Egypt over military 'coup' would hurt US interests

Some in Congress want to call the military takeover in Egypt a coup and cut off the $1.5 billion aid the US gives the country annually. This position fails to appreciate the limits of the leverage Washington derives from its aid to Cairo and the potential consequences of halting it.
Global Viewpoint Healing Egypt: Three steps to unify a divided nation

The uprising of millions of Egyptians since June 30 has led to sharp polarization. Growing up in Egypt, I never saw the country as divided as it is today. Efforts to rebuild the nation must focus on justice, reconciliation, and inclusiveness.
GOP should remember: Data show immigrants enforce, not threaten, US values

One sticking point in the House GOP discussion of immigration reform is concern over whether immigrants will be productive members of society. Republicans shouldn't worry. Immigrants outperform native-born citizens on key measures of American values and civic engagement.
Muslim women of today – not just the past – must be respected in Egypt, Syria

In Egypt and Syria, a shrine and mosque named for two of history's most prominent Muslim women are at the center of the conflicts there. These nations must be inclusive of Muslim women of today to help bring the healing peace taught by the Muslim women of the past.
Don't view Egypt's coup with a Western lens

Some American analysts welcomed the ouster of Egypt's democratically elected president because it removed a political Islamist and opened the way for secularists. This Western thinking endangers democracy in Egypt. Integrating Islamists into politics is essential in the Arab world.
Pakistan's opportunity: a free-trade deal with rival India

Trade is not a cure-all for grinding poverty, but a free-trade deal between Pakistan and India would help foster economic growth and regional peace. And the political timing has never been better. Pakistan's new prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, should seize the moment.
Speaker Boehner up at bat with immigration reform

After the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill, House Speaker John Boehner is now at bat. Whether to swing is an incredibly tough call for him. Politically, the issue pits the long-term interests of the Republican Party against the short-term interests of its House members.
Global Viewpoint With Morsi ouster, Egypt fails democracy test

In Egypt, former President Mohamed Morsi should have served until the next elections. Forced removal defeats the democratic gains made two years ago. If Morsi and Islamists are not allowed to feature somewhat prominently in a new government, they could be a dangerous element.
Gag the 'ag-gag' laws that bar undercover recording of cruelty to farm animals

Several states have passed 'ag-gag' laws that make it illegal to gather undercover documentation and videos of cruelty to animals at factory farms and in other areas of industrial agriculture. But it is precisely this kind of reporting that exposes and can help stop abuse of animals.
When summer camp forbids laptops, there's always letter writing

As I was writing a letter to our son Will, who is away at boarding camp for seven weeks, I felt a vague sense of historical reenactment – as if I were firing a musket or cooking over a hearth.
A better way to improve safety at garment factories in Bangladesh

President Obama is pulling US trade privileges for Bangladesh to force improved safety at garment factories. But this will cost poor workers their jobs and could undermine stability in this fragile democracy. Better to support a Bangladeshi-led reform agenda – with benchmarks.
Obama's 'partnership of equals' in Africa: Both sides must step up

President Obama, who departs Africa today, has cast his mark on the US-Africa relationship by calling it 'a partnership of equals.' This is more of a goal than reality. Over the past decade the US has squandered its advantage. And Africans bear shared responsibility for economic stability.
Nice-guy Obama fails Turkey's democracy

The Obama administration has been far too solicitous of Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan and his increasingly authoritarian ways. Its reasoning is based on the flawed assumption that being nice will ensure cooperation from this strategic ally. That hasn't been the case.
Egypt's President Morsi and opposition must talk – and fix the constitution

Protesters are demanding President Morsi's resignation and have burned the headquarters of his backers, the Muslim Brotherhood. The way out of this crisis is for Morsi and opposition leaders to negotiate a path forward together. That must include a constitution that is representative of Egypt.