All The Monitor's View
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America's open door to Chinese activist Chen
America's tradition of openness led Chen Guangcheng to knock on its embassy door. Now that openness may allow him to study in the US. The strength of many a country lies in being open to people, ideas, and technology.
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Finally, European debt crisis goes to the polls
Elections in France and Greece may help quell a rising sense of victimhood from this long euro crisis. Such popular sentiment is exactly what the European Union is meant to curb.
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Why economics is still the 'dismal science'
Economists befuddled by the economy's twists and turns often fail to tap into data on the most optimist group – young people. Their hopeful 'animal spirits' may be the force for a full recovery.
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On anniversary of Osama bin Laden death, did Obama take too much credit?
Critics of Obama's move to politicize his bold decision to kill Osama bin Laden miss a deeper point about leadership.
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What's right in this picture? A Chinese dissident in US custody
Pleas for US help like those from dissident Chen in China can wear down a superpower trying to reorient itself. Yet foreigners still look to American for moral leadership. A mature democracy should know how to resolve such dilemmas.
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A lesson on leadership from Africa
The guilty verdict against Charles Taylor, former president of Liberia, is more than a victory for justice. It is a lesson for Africans and other about no holding up 'great leaders' as saviors. Great ideas are better than great people.
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A matter of discretion in immigration reform and Arizona law
Arguments made in Wednesday's Supreme Court hearing on the Arizona immigration law get to the heart of the national debate: How much discretion to give to police and prosecutors?
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Innocence abroad for Wal-Mart, Apple, and all Americans
A federal probe of alleged bribery in Mexico by Wal-Mart, along with Apple's lax workplace standards in China, indicate a need for Americans to take their ethical standards with them when operating overseas.
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US must focus on Afghanistan heroin trade
With so many Americans trying heroin each year, Congress and Obama must fund long-term efforts to curb poppy growing and the opium trade in Afghanistan, even after the US ends its combat role. This will also curb opium profits funding the Taliban.
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Syria? Iran? Kony? Let's face down atrocities before they occur.
Obama sets a model for the world with an alert system to prevent potential mass atrocities. But will it also prevent foreign military intervention in trouble spots?
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Why Earth Day needs a regreening
Earth Day 2012 finds public support for the environment sagging. Yet an eminent British thinker finds hope in the moral constraints of a love for one's local community.
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Containing Syria's chemical weapons
Little-noticed amid the fighting and attempted cease-fire in Syria are the stockpiles of chemical weapons. The US and others are trying to check their use or theft. Russia also needs to pressure Assad into ensuring they are safely stored.
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CitiGroup shareholder revolt: golden-rule capitalism
A shareholder revolt at banking giant CitiGroup that rejected a pay package for top executives marks a chance for a healthier relationship between investors and managers. It might also reduce the nation's income inequality.
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The GSA and Secret Service scandals: Where's the public virtue?
The misconduct of Secret Service agents and General Services Administration (GSA) workers must lead to reforms and better education of public workers about their special role.
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Artful diplomacy with Syria and Iran
Kofi Annan and Catherine Ashton each relied on delicate diplomacy to bring some fragile hope to two big security issues – Iran's nuclear program and the civil war in Syria.
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The Ann Romney flap and women's roles
The flap over the Hilary Rosen comment about stay-at-home mom Ann Romney only exposes a deeper issue about self-sacrifice – for both men and women.
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Lift Latin America's 'drug curse'
At the Summit of the Americas, Obama will likely be asked to discuss alternatives to the get-tough tactics on the drug trade – even to endorse legalization. He should point to Latin America's successes in giving economic alternatives to drug trafficking.
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A tsunami-warning system makes waves
Big lessons can be learned from Wednesday's giant earthquake off Indonesia that led to an Indian Ocean-wide tsunami warning. The new system, set up since the big 2004 disaster, worked.
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North Korea rocket launch: fireworks of fear
North Korea plans to launch a missile by April 16 in violation of UN sanctions. It will be yet another provocative act by a regime that has long used blackmail and crisis to simply survive and to win concessions.
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As Syria killings rise, a plea for world conscience
As a UN cease-fire effort in Syria fails with more killings – and the Syrian Army fires into Turkish territory – an end to the violence will require greater appeals to conscience. Will Russia listen?
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