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CSMonitor editors share their favorite people to follow on Twitter

Twitter turned 7 this week. In celebration of the social network's birthday, The Christian Science Monitor compiled a list of favorite Twitter accounts. Each is informative and useful in its own way. Find out what each section recommends for you.
Obama and Myanmar (Burma): 4 points about conflict there

A long-simmering ethnic conflict in Myanmar (Burma) recently broke into American newspapers: At least 89 people have been killed and more than 35,000 displaced in what is being described (not entirely accurately) as Buddhist-Muslim violence. With President Obama as the first US head of state to visit this country, there are four points to bear in mind about this detour from Myanmar’s road to a more open society:
Briefing
Top 3 reasons why Al Qaeda is more dangerous than ever

On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, defense analysts say that there are plenty of reasons to think that a resurgence of the perniciously resourceful Al Qaeda is not out of the question.
Beyond Obamacare: 5 opinions on health care reform

Health care reform remains a contentious issue in the United States. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of President Obama's health care law, the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare. But some Republicans, like presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, hope to repeal the law under the next Congress. Here, writers explore five key aspects of health-care reform.

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Opinion: What Bangladesh – and US retailers – must do to prevent man-made tragedies

Two man-made tragedies have shaken Bangladesh recently: riots over Islamist demands for blasphemy laws and the garment factory collapse. Bangladesh's response to both will show how well it can meet citizens' needs. US retailers must also take responsibility for factory conditions.
Row over slain fisherman strains pair of Pacific allies

Both the Philippines and Taiwan are trying to look strong, contributing to the rare, quick escalation of a diplomatic scuffle that was started by an incident in a overlapping fishing zone.
As Pakistan goes to the polls, many see a key milestone

This is the first time in Pakistan's 66 years that a democratic government has been able to complete its tenure without being toppled by the military. But change is slow, say analysts.
Global News Blog Imran Khan falls from forklift at a political rally. Will it hurt his campaign? (+video)

The famous cricketer-turned-politician will miss final days of election campaigning as he recovers in a hospital named for his mother, but his party could benefit from a wave of concern.
Opinion: Thinking through options on North Korea

As history shows, new nuclear states such as North Korea usually probe the limits of their power and test how other international actors respond. But consider this: Once escalation starts, it can be extremely difficult to control.
Cover Story Boston bombing reveals a new American maturity toward insecurity

The post-9/11 'new normal' has evolved: The tactical and emotional responses to the Boston Marathon bombings show what experts call a national maturity toward terrorism that echoes longer experience with such crises in England, Spain, Russia, Japan, and Israel.
Global News Blog China sends largest fleet yet to disputed islands

China sent a fleet of patrol ships today to the sea area it disputes with Japan, following a controversial visit by Japanese officials to a war shrine. The latest moves are seen as a setback for a diplomatic resolution.
Boston Marathon attack: Circle of possible bombers narrows, experts say (+video)

Experts who follow radical groups inside the US look at emerging details about the Boston Marathon attack and see the work of a domestic operative – either American jihadi or antigovernment extremist.
Boston Marathon bombing: Feds raid apartment, police seek rental van (+video)

Federal authorities late Monday removed several bags from an apartment in a nearby suburb. Police investigating the Boston Marathon bombing have also issued an alert for a rental van and for a hooded man who left the area before the blasts.
The Monitor's View: A path to peace in land, resource disputes

A Taiwan-Japan agreement on fisheries near the Senkaku islands sets a model for China in avoiding dangerous moves on island claims.
What hope for diplomacy to defuse North Korea crisis?

Any diplomatic resolution to the North Korea crisis depends upon China's priorities and Kim Jong-un himself. Here's why both are difficult to gauge as Secretary of State John Kerry prepares to travel to the region.
How much is a nuclear program worth? For Iran, well over $100 billion.

According to a new report, keeping Iran's condemned nuclear program going has already cost Tehran more than $100 billion in lost oil revenue and foreign investments alone.
CSMonitor editors share their favorite people to follow on Twitter

Twitter turned 7 this week. In celebration of the social network's birthday, The Christian Science Monitor compiled a list of favorite Twitter accounts. Each is informative and useful in its own way. Find out what each section recommends for you.
Opinion: NATO, US must shore up Libya

Today, as Libyans mark the second anniversary of the revolution that ousted Muammar Qaddafi, security conditions are bad and getting worse. Libya needs help training its security forces. Ideally, this would be a NATO mission. It could also be a US mission if NATO lacks the will.
Syria border bombing: How will Turkey respond if attacks continue?

Turkey has worried about Syria's war creeping across the border since the uprising began. Yesterday's bombing at a border crossing indicates it may finally be happening.
Japan boosts defense as some in China and Taiwan agree on disputed islets

Mainland Chinese will support the Taiwanese 'because the Diaoyu Dao are part of China, whether that’s Beijing or Taipei,' says a member of Beijing's federation of activists who oppose Japan’s claim.
Taiwan undersea oil plans raise neighbors' eyebrows

The island's exploration efforts in the South China Sea could fuel tensions with China and other nations with territorial claims there. Heated rhetoric last year prompted the US to intervene.
John Kerry as secretary of State: expect a more traditional style (+video)

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with her late-night dancing and talks with children, was known for her 'people to people' style. John Kerry is expected to adopt a more traditional version of diplomacy.
Obama chooses John Kerry for secretary of State. How might he do?

President Obama is expected on Friday to name Sen. John Kerry to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He'd come with his own pet issues – as well as a reputation as a patient negotiator.
The Monitor's View: Shaping the world of 2030

A US intelligence report to the president on global trends to the year 2030 is generally upbeat. But like any futuristic study, its foresight needs hindsight in the reading.
How will the US deal with Syrian use of WMDs? (+video)

President Barack Obama, in a speech at the National Defense University on Monday, pointedly warned Syrian President Bashar Assad not to use his arsenal.
Obama and Myanmar (Burma): 4 points about conflict there

A long-simmering ethnic conflict in Myanmar (Burma) recently broke into American newspapers: At least 89 people have been killed and more than 35,000 displaced in what is being described (not entirely accurately) as Buddhist-Muslim violence. With President Obama as the first US head of state to visit this country, there are four points to bear in mind about this detour from Myanmar’s road to a more open society:
Small businesses fume, now seeing 'Obamacare' as unavoidable

Election 2012 ended hopes among small businesses that Obama's health-care law would be upended. Papa John's and others are threatening layoffs and higher consumer prices, citing added costs of doing business under 'Obamacare.'
Failing schools: Should we cut our losses, or fight to reform them?

Recent education reforms have encouraged closing many long-troubled schools. Between 2010 and 2011, 2,000 schools were closed nation-wide. But some argue this may not be the right answer.
The real reason China-Japan are locked in a territory dispute

Nationalist politics and historical resentments figure big in the China-Japan territorial dispute. But there's another alluring ingredient: oil and gas.