Opinion - The Christian Science Monitor

On Thursday, President Obama plans to give a speech on the Middle East. Considering America’s ad hoc response to the Arab Spring so far – and the historic opportunity to support democracy in the region – he needs to put a coherent strategy before the public and Congress. Full Story »

Menlo Park, Calif. - I’m not convinced that information can be personified. Full Story »

New York - Editor's note: This is the final piece of five in the series “Religion, Politics & the Public Space” in collaboration with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and its Global Experts project. Full Story »

The Arab Spring is unlikely to finally blossom in Syria, Libya, Yemen, or elsewhere if its one big success, Egypt, fails to deliver on promises of democracy and justice. Full Story »

Grove City, Pa. - Here’s a question for those of you concerned about the size of federal debts and deficits: Would you endorse a plan that would add another five or six trillion dollars to the federal debt over the next decade while also increasing Uncle Sam’s annual expenditures by $1.1 trillion? If so, you’re in luck. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R) of Wisconsin has put forth just such a plan. Full Story »

Washington - Last week, just before the 66th anniversary of VE Day, Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced that he has had enough with multi-party democracy in Russia. Instead, Mr. Putin proposed to launch a Popular Front, a Soviet-style contraption that would consist of United Russia, his ruling party, women’s and environmental organizations, trade unions, plus communists and nationalists. Full Story »

Norfolk, Va. - Four years after the housing crisis began, we've held hearings, passed laws, bailed out big banks, cracked down on predatory lending, and created programs to help strapped homeowners. The American dream is safe again, right? Full Story »

Paris - Editor's note: This piece is part four of five in the series “Religion, Politics & the Public Space” in collaboration with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and its Global Experts project. Check back tomorrow to read the final commentary. Full Story »

The Greek debt crisis that was supposedly solved a year ago is making a reappearance.This revives bad memories of shaken global financial markets. Hopefully, though, the Greek threat can also spur American politicians to cut US debt. Full Story »

Atlanta - Editor's note: This piece is part three of five in the series “Religion, Politics & the Public Space” in collaboration with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and its Global Experts project. Check back each day this week to read the next commentary. Full Story »