Topic: European Bank of Reconstruction

Qatar: The small Arab monarchy with the loud democratic voice

It's a contradiction. Qatar, the Gulf country which sits atop a huge natural gas field, is ruled firmly as a monarchy. And yet it has become a strong advocate of democracy in the Arab Spring.

An embarrassed France backpedals from its support of Tunisia's Ben Ali

Before former President Ben Ali fled Tunisia amid the popular uprising, France offered its support to the troubled dictator. Now France is struggling to find new footing with its former colony.

Ideas for a better world in 2011

To start the new year off right, the Monitor asked various thinkers around the world for one idea each to make the world a better place in 2011. We talked to poets and political figures, physicists and financiers. The results range from how to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world to ways to revamp Hollywood.

EU summit pledges help – but offers no more money – for struggling East

Eastern Europe’s fall puts Continent on edge

Latvia’s collapse and the sinking East is hurting Western banks, and the ideals of unity.