- Syrian general gunned down in Damascus
- The Greek debt conundrum, explained
- Helpers in a hostile world: the risk of aid work grows
- Steve Jobs FBI file: four humanizing revelations
- Pressure for Western intervention in Syria builds with fresh assaults (+video)
- Why Egypt may not care about losing US aid
Syrian rebels march in a show of strength during a demonstration in Idlib, Syria, Feb. 10. (AP Photo)
The Monitor's View
3:55 pm ET -
Reasons for Obama to aid Syria – other than moral ones
Obama intervened in Libya for humanitarian reasons – to prevent a slaughter. Why not in Syria – to end actual killing? Perhaps he needs the reasons of a realist.
The Monitor's View (View all)
- The Obama birth-control mandate
- Talk to Hamas? Talk to Taliban? Thank the Arab Spring for those possibilities.
- Wages of sin in Greek debt crisis
- A woman as Mexico's president?
- Of presidents and prime ministers who talk of faith
- Russia must rethink what Syria protests mean
- With Facebook IPO, time to friend privacy
- China's real rise – in Wukan's village election
- Eight reasons to ‘mute’ super PAC ads
- Obama, like Roberts, seeks harmony in Washington
More The Monitor's View
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Candidates need antidotes to public anger, not anger
A combative, angry mood hangs over the presidential races, reflecting public sentiments. But below the anger are emotions that do need to be addressed, with a calm debate of policy.
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Make sure shale-gas boom doesn't go bust
Obama and GOP should unite in driving the use of this abundant gas as a 'bridge fuel' to renewable energy. But they must be cautious in rushing to tap shale gas.
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Independence for Scotland: Nothing brave about it
Breaking up countries, even peacefully, runs against the tide of history. Civic virtues can unite a people, despite their history and cultures.
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A quality of mercy in Haley Barbour's pardons
As he stepped down as Mississippi's governor, Haley Barbour pardoned more than 200 people, including some convicted of murder. His action, and the uproar over it, help ignite a useful debate on using mercy as a tool for justice.
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Self-immolation as protest tactic rises in Tibet, Middle East
Political 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.
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One year after Egypt's revolution, dictators on the defensive
On 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.
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Eight reasons to hit 'mute' during TV ads by super PACs
First 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.
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Web protests over piracy bills while China slaps Internet curbs
Legislation in Congress aims to curb Web theft of intellectual property while Beijing cracks down on bloggers. Both nations must weigh the cost to creativity that leads to innovation.
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Humanitarian acts as antidotes to war
Disasters can cause even adversarial nations to enjoy heart-to-heart moments of compassion. Russia delivers emergency fuel to an Alaskan town; the US Navy rescued Iranian fishermen.
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The fear factor in attacks on Romney's Bain
Campaign attacks on Romney's former investment firm only play to worker fears about jobs. Candidates should play to hopes that workers can adapt to a rapidly changing economy.
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