csmonitor--2020-11-05--Kosovo president steps down to face war crimes charges

The president of Kosovo , Hashim Thaci , a guerrilla leader during Kosovo ’ s war for independence from Serbia in the late 1990s , resigned on Thursday and will face charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity at a special court based in The Hague .
Mr. Thaci said he was taking the step “ to protect the integrity of the presidency of Kosovo ” and to preserve the historical truth of who was perpetrator , and who victim , in the conflict .
“ We are a freedom-loving people and not vengeful , ” Mr. Thaci said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kosovo ’ s capital .
“ That is why no claim may rewrite history .
Kosovo has been the victim .
Serbia has been the aggressor.
” Mr. Thaci was indicted in June along with nine other former rebel leaders by a special Kosovo court and associated prosecutor ’ s office based in The Hague , Netherlands , which were set up five years ago to investigate and try former ethnic Albanian rebel leaders for alleged war crimes .
The charges include murder , enforced disappearances , persecution , and torture .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – most of them ethnic Albanians – and 1,641 people are still unaccounted for .
It was brought to an end by a 78-day NATO air campaign against Serbian troops .
Among others charged with committing crimes during and after the war is Kadri Veseli , a former parliament speaker and an opposition party leader , who said he planned to travel to the The Hague on Thursday and was resigning from “ all public political activities.
” Both Mr. Thaci and Mr. Veseli have denied committing any crimes .
Mr. Thaci , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the war , said he was proud to have belonged to that force , calling it “ the most sublime value of the Albanian nation.
” He called the indictment “ the smallest price we have to pay for the freedom of our people.
” The government said in a statement that all defendants should be considered innocent unless the court decides otherwise .
“ No one may judge our fight for freedom , ” the government said , adding that the KLA “ fought for the liberation of our country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a foreign land , and as such it has the support of the international community.
” Mr. Thaci held a ceremony at his office to hand over his presidential duties to parliament speaker Vjosa Osmani .
The government said the “ constitution and the laws in power guarantee a clear transition of powers and exercising the responsibilities without any institutional vacuum.
” Mr. Thaci was elected president in February 2016 .
His current term ends in April , when the national Assembly of Kosovo was expected to elect a new president .
Amnesty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sesar said the indictment of Mr. Thaci and the nine others would give hope to “ thousands of victims of the Kosovo war who have waited for more than two decades to find out the truth about the horrific crimes committed against them and their loved ones.
” The European Union issued a statement welcoming Mr. Thaci ’ s cooperation with the Hague-based legal institutions , saying it “ strongly supports the work of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor ’ s Office.
” “ Full cooperation with these institutions is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s commitment to the rule of law , which in turn is a core element for Kosovo ’ s progress on its European path and for EU ’ s engagement with the Western Balkans as a whole , ” the EU statement said .
The prime minister of Albania , which borders Kosovo , expressed his country ’ s support to Mr. Thaci in “ this battle for Kosovo and the inviolable justice of the liberating war.
” Prime Minister Edi Rama described the indictments as resulting from an “ absurd process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the inability to rewrite its history.
” Exact details of the 10-count indictment against Mr. Thaci , Mr. Veseli , and the others have not been released .
Announcing the existence of the indictment earlier this year , the Specialist Prosecutor ’ s Office alleged that the men were “ criminally responsible for nearly 100 murders.
” At the time , the prosecutor ’ s office said it made the existence of the indictment public because of what it called repeated efforts by Mr. Thaci and Mr. Veseli “ to obstruct and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said they were believed to have tried to overturn the Kosovo law that created the court .
The formation of the court and prosecutor ’ s office followed a 2011 report by the Council of Europe , a human rights body , that included allegations that KLA fighters trafficked human organs taken from prisoners and killed Serbs and fellow ethnic Albanians .
Ms. Sesar , the Amnesty International expert , said that a “ culture of impunity ” had persisted in Kosovo since it has taken nearly 10 years for those suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court .
After the war , Mr. Thaci created the Democratic Party of Kosovo and has been foreign minister , deputy prime minister , and prime minister , and now president since April 2016 .
Kosovo-Serbia ties are still tense 21 years after war ’ s end , despite nine years of negotiations mediated by the European Union and supported by the United States .
The indictment was announced in June when Mr. Thaci was en route to a meeting at the White House with Serb counterpart Aleksandar Vucic .
That meeting was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead in September .
In 2008 , Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia , a move that Serbia refuses to recognize .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Semini reported from Tirana , Albania .
Mike Corder in The Hague , Netherlands , and Lorne Cook in Brussels also contributed reporting .

The president of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, a guerrilla leader during Kosovo’s war for independence from Serbia in the late 1990s, resigned on Thursday and will face charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity at a special court based in The Hague.
Mr. Thaci said he was taking the step “to protect the integrity of the presidency of Kosovo” and to preserve the historical truth of who was perpetrator, and who victim, in the conflict.
“We are a freedom-loving people and not vengeful,” Mr. Thaci said at a news conference in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital. “That is why no claim may rewrite history. Kosovo has been the victim. Serbia has been the aggressor.”
Mr. Thaci was indicted in June along with nine other former rebel leaders by a special Kosovo court and associated prosecutor’s office based in The Hague, Netherlands, which were set up five years ago to investigate and try former ethnic Albanian rebel leaders for alleged war crimes. The charges include murder, enforced disappearances, persecution, and torture.
The 1998-1999 war killed more than 10,000 people – most of them ethnic Albanians – and 1,641 people are still unaccounted for. It was brought to an end by a 78-day NATO air campaign against Serbian troops.
Among others charged with committing crimes during and after the war is Kadri Veseli, a former parliament speaker and an opposition party leader, who said he planned to travel to the The Hague on Thursday and was resigning from “all public political activities.”
Both Mr. Thaci and Mr. Veseli have denied committing any crimes.
Mr. Thaci, a commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army during the war, said he was proud to have belonged to that force, calling it “the most sublime value of the Albanian nation.”
He called the indictment “the smallest price we have to pay for the freedom of our people.”
The government said in a statement that all defendants should be considered innocent unless the court decides otherwise.
“No one may judge our fight for freedom,” the government said, adding that the KLA “fought for the liberation of our country, to protect the house and not in a foreign land, and as such it has the support of the international community.”
Mr. Thaci held a ceremony at his office to hand over his presidential duties to parliament speaker Vjosa Osmani. The government said the “constitution and the laws in power guarantee a clear transition of powers and exercising the responsibilities without any institutional vacuum.”
Mr. Thaci was elected president in February 2016. His current term ends in April, when the national Assembly of Kosovo was expected to elect a new president.
Amnesty International’s Balkans researcher, Jelena Sesar said the indictment of Mr. Thaci and the nine others would give hope to “thousands of victims of the Kosovo war who have waited for more than two decades to find out the truth about the horrific crimes committed against them and their loved ones.”
The European Union issued a statement welcoming Mr. Thaci’s cooperation with the Hague-based legal institutions, saying it “strongly supports the work of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office.”
“Full cooperation with these institutions is essential as an important demonstration of Kosovo’s commitment to the rule of law, which in turn is a core element for Kosovo’s progress on its European path and for EU’s engagement with the Western Balkans as a whole,” the EU statement said.
The prime minister of Albania, which borders Kosovo, expressed his country’s support to Mr. Thaci in “this battle for Kosovo and the inviolable justice of the liberating war.” Prime Minister Edi Rama described the indictments as resulting from an “absurd process that will finally stamp the KLA clarity and the inability to rewrite its history.”
Exact details of the 10-count indictment against Mr. Thaci, Mr. Veseli, and the others have not been released. Announcing the existence of the indictment earlier this year, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office alleged that the men were “criminally responsible for nearly 100 murders.”
At the time, the prosecutor’s office said it made the existence of the indictment public because of what it called repeated efforts by Mr. Thaci and Mr. Veseli “to obstruct and undermine” the work of the court and said they were believed to have tried to overturn the Kosovo law that created the court.
The formation of the court and prosecutor’s office followed a 2011 report by the Council of Europe, a human rights body, that included allegations that KLA fighters trafficked human organs taken from prisoners and killed Serbs and fellow ethnic Albanians.
Ms. Sesar, the Amnesty International expert, said that a “culture of impunity” had persisted in Kosovo since it has taken nearly 10 years for those suspected of criminal responsibility to be brought to court.
After the war, Mr. Thaci created the Democratic Party of Kosovo and has been foreign minister, deputy prime minister, and prime minister, and now president since April 2016.
Kosovo-Serbia ties are still tense 21 years after war’s end, despite nine years of negotiations mediated by the European Union and supported by the United States.
The indictment was announced in June when Mr. Thaci was en route to a meeting at the White House with Serb counterpart Aleksandar Vucic. That meeting was held with Kosovo’s prime minister instead in September.
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In 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, a move that Serbia refuses to recognize.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. Semini reported from Tirana, Albania. Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, and Lorne Cook in Brussels also contributed reporting.


csmonitor--2020-11-06--Could a President Biden lead a divided America?

“ Certainly a large part of the country is suffering from Trump fatigue , ” says Ed Goeas , a Republican strategist in Alexandria , Virginia .
“ [ Mr. Biden ] has a real opportunity ... to work from the center.
” A Democratic-Republican split between the White House and Senate may sound like a recipe for gridlock , but given Mr. Biden ’ s long-standing relationship with Senator McConnell as well as other Republican lawmakers , some say it could provide an opportunity for America to regroup and see modest bipartisan progress .
As of press time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing states still counting ballots – with a growing lead in the biggest prize of Pennsylvania , which alone is enough to give him the White House .
Control of the Senate will likely come down to two Georgia runoffs , the last nine of which have produced Republican winners .
While President Donald Trump has vowed court challenges , Democrats as well as Republicans have pushed back on his allegations of widespread irregularities .
Around the Obama White House , Joe Biden was known as “ the McConnell whisperer.
” That may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up producing a President Biden and preserving Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell ’ s role as majority leader .
New Hampshire Democrat Frank Fahey once clashed with Joe Biden on national TV .
Now he thinks the former vice president is exactly the bridge-builder America needs .
When Mr. Biden was first running for president , in 1987 , he derided Mr. Fahey for asking about his academic track record , boasting that he probably had a higher IQ than the New Hampshire educator .
The moment went viral , 1980s-style , and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race shortly thereafter .
Today Mr. Fahey , now retired and an avid follower of nitty-gritty congressional deliberations , says he ’ s seen a mellowing in the erstwhile Delaware senator – born not only of professional experience , including 36 years in the Senate , but also of the personal trials of a man who lost his young wife and daughter , and in 2015 , his adult son Beau .
“ I think he has compassion , which is something we need right now , ” says Mr. Fahey by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ongoing vote tallies in Arizona and Georgia .
As of press time , Mr. Biden was leading in four key swing states still counting the remaining 2 % to 8 % of ballots – with a growing lead in the biggest prize of Pennsylvania , which alone would be enough to give him the White House .
While President Donald Trump and his campaign have launched court challenges , and many have cautioned against calling the election prematurely , Democrats as well as Republicans have pushed back on the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate will likely come down to two Georgia runoffs , the last nine of which have produced Republican winners , even when the Democrats led in the initial vote .
After a particularly divisive four years , the extreme wings of both parties are revved up , and any suspicions about the fairness and credibility of the election could lead to further agitation .
But many others across the country – from voters to mayors to state representatives – see this election as a clear indication that trying to govern as if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party ’ s vision of sweeping change is not going to work .
Perhaps counterintuitively , the outcome that currently looks most likely – a Democratic president with a Republican Senate and more evenly balanced House – could provide an opportunity for America to regroup and see modest bipartisan progress .
That ’ s in part because Mr. Biden has long-standing relationships with many Republican lawmakers , particularly Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky .
“ Certainly a large part of the country is suffering from Trump fatigue , ” says Ed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Virginia .
“ [ Mr. Biden ] has a real opportunity ... to work from the center and not be pulled into what appears to be a desire on the part of the progressives to go to war.
” Still , former New Jersey Gov .
Christine Todd Whitman , a Republican , emphasized the importance of not calling the election prematurely , even as it appeared increasingly likely that Mr. Biden would win .
“ Every vote needs to be counted , ” says Governor Whitman , the national chairwoman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Trump administration ’ s court challenges should be taken seriously .
“ Those will need to be heard , so that people have confidence that it is what we want it to be – a free and fair election.
” Should the Senate remain in Republican hands while the White House goes to Democrats , Senator McConnell and a President Biden would become the nexus of power in Washington .
The two have a strong working relationship and a long Senate history in common , including working on legislation targeting voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 funeral , the Kentucky senator was the only Senate Republican to attend .
Vice President Biden was Senator McConnell ’ s go-to negotiating partner in the Obama administration , together getting the country past the shoals of debt and fiscal crises .
Around the White House , the vice president was called “ the McConnell whisperer.
” To the surprise of many , the Senate stepped up its productivity when Republicans took control in the last two years of the Obama presidency – working out deals on infrastructure , budget , education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country has become increasingly polarized since then , both Mr. Biden and Senator McConnell are likely to be thinking ahead to how history will view them , says Steve Voss , a political scientist at the University of Kentucky in Lexington .
“ So that ’ s an opportunity for them to not worry too much about the clamor among the noisy wings of their party , ” says Professor Voss .
Still , Senator McConnell ’ s pitch to voters this year was to keep the Senate in Republican hands as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Mitch is not about public policy ; Mitch is about power .
Anything that makes Biden look good , he ’ s going to think twice about , ” said former Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp , in a preelection interview .
As majority leader , Senator McConnell would control the Senate agenda , and can be expected to block progressive priorities , including progressive Cabinet picks and judges , if Mr. Biden were to nominate them .
The Kentucky lawmaker ’ s strength , said Senator Heitkamp , a centrist from North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his caucus .
The way for Mr. Biden to break that is to work with individual Republican senators , such as Susan Collins , who won reelection in Maine , or Rob Portman of Ohio .
Senator McConnell may find it harder to control his caucus as a number of senators consider their own presidential bids in 2024 .
“ There ’ s going to be a lot of competitive pressures on him .
There will be [ conservative ] folks who want to burn the place down and moderates who will say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , ’ ” said John Feehery , former spokesman under Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert , also in a preelection interview .
By the same token , Mr. Biden could face significant pressure from “ the Squad ” and other progressive members of Congress who would have vastly preferred a President Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren .
But in that regard , Senator McConnell could become a useful foil , allowing Mr. Biden to blame the majority leader for stymieing a progressive agenda , rather than dealing head-on with intra-Democratic divides .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ modest baby steps in terms of policy innovation ... if he ’ s going to get anything through the Senate , ” says Charles S. Bullock III , a professor of political science at the University of Georgia .
“ [ That ] will frustrate the left wing of the party but also possibly give him an excuse for why he can ’ t go further left.
” If Mr. Biden begins his presidency by rekindling and building on relationships with his former Republican Senate colleagues , and they are game to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect to their constituents , says Martha Hennessey , a Democratic state senator in New Hampshire .
“ If they are telling the people they represent ... ‘ This is OK , we ’ re going to give this guy a chance , ’ ... if they even give a hint of that – people will start to calm down , and breathe deeply , ” says Senator Hennessey , whose party just lost control of both chambers of the state legislature in the nastiest election she ever recalls seeing in New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polarized – and whether it was driven or simply reflected by Washington – is difficult .
But most political scholars agree a clear turning point was 1994 , when Georgia Rep. Newt Gingrich led a Republican charge to take back the House .
After years of compromising with Democratic-dominated chambers of Congress , he argued it was time for “ trench warfare , ” says Professor Bullock of the University of Georgia .
The GOP takeover that vaulted Mr. Gingrich into the speaker ’ s chair – and the no-holds-barred approach behind it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambitious politicians , who began adopting similar techniques , on both sides of the aisle .
During that time , more lawmakers also began keeping their families in their home states , coming to Washington only for weekday business and ending an era of bipartisan mingling over dinner parties and children ’ s soccer games .
“ Gingrich gets a fair amount of the credit or the blame for what politics has become today , ” says Professor Bullock .
Parallel to that , voters have increasingly “ sorted ” themselves into partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distinct , creating an urban-rural divide .
“ We talk about the online echo chambers and ideological bubbles in which folks exist , ” says Professor Voss , who describes himself as a radical centrist .
But , he adds , if more voters lived among people who were different from them politically , “ it wouldn ’ t have the power that it does.
” At the local level , some officials point out they can ’ t afford to let polarization stand in the way of fixing potholes or repairing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know if it came out from Washington or we sent it back toward Washington , ” says Donnie Tuck , the independent mayor of Hampton , Virginia .
But wherever it started , it needs to be stopped at every level , from the president on down , adds Mayor Tuck , who makes a point of attending social gatherings and meetings with people who don ’ t agree with him .
“ We need leadership that will try to bring us together.
” Democratic Mayor Steve Williams of Huntington , West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term with 62 % of the vote in a deep-red county , points out that the oath of office taken by politicians is not to uphold a political party but the Constitution of the United States .
“ That ’ s what this nation needs right now – put the nation first , ” says Mayor Williams , whose city has become a national model for dealing with the opioid crisis , for which he credits his own community ’ s willingness to work together as well as support and funding from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are some people in Washington who want division , because as they push division on both the right and the left , more [ campaign ] dollars come rolling in , ” he says .
“ Let ’ s ... just start getting something done.
” In a speech Thursday , Mr. Biden reprised themes of unity he ’ s often emphasized on the campaign trail .
“ Once this election is finalized and behind us , it will be time for us to do what we ’ ve always done as Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign behind us , ” he said , calling for the nation to unite , heal , and come together .
“ I am campaigning as a Democrat .
But I will govern as an American president .
The presidency itself is not a partisan institution .
It is the one office in this nation that represents everyone .
...
I will work as hard for those who didn ’ t vote for me as I will for those who did vote for me.
” He may have his work cut out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt in the run-up to the election about whether he could or would hold off the increasingly energized left wing of his party , whose progressive agenda and stark discourse alarmed moderates .
Meanwhile , all eyes are on Pennsylvania as it tallies up the remaining ballots , cast by voters like Kim Davis .
She waited an hour and 15 minutes to vote in Glen Rock , but said earlier this week as she exited the polling place that she would have waited four hours if that ’ s what it took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As in 2016 , she cast her ballot for Mr. Trump , whom she described as the “ lesser of the evils.
” Wearing nursing scrubs and walking back to her Mini Cooper , Ms. Davis expressed a desire for greater moderation on both sides .
“ We forget that our end goal is serving the country , not serving a political party , ” she said .

“Certainly a large part of the country is suffering from Trump fatigue,” says Ed Goeas, a Republican strategist in Alexandria, Virginia. “[Mr. Biden] has a real opportunity ... to work from the center.”
A Democratic-Republican split between the White House and Senate may sound like a recipe for gridlock, but given Mr. Biden’s long-standing relationship with Senator McConnell as well as other Republican lawmakers, some say it could provide an opportunity for America to regroup and see modest bipartisan progress.
To many, the election was a clear indication that governing as if there’s a mandate for either party’s vision is not going to work. Divided government could, however, provide an opportunity for modest bipartisan progress.
As of press time, Mr. Biden was leading in four key swing states still counting ballots – with a growing lead in the biggest prize of Pennsylvania, which alone is enough to give him the White House. Control of the Senate will likely come down to two Georgia runoffs, the last nine of which have produced Republican winners. While President Donald Trump has vowed court challenges, Democrats as well as Republicans have pushed back on his allegations of widespread irregularities.
Around the Obama White House, Joe Biden was known as “the McConnell whisperer.” That may come in handy if the election ends up producing a President Biden and preserving Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell’s role as majority leader.
New Hampshire Democrat Frank Fahey once clashed with Joe Biden on national TV. Now he thinks the former vice president is exactly the bridge-builder America needs.
When Mr. Biden was first running for president, in 1987, he derided Mr. Fahey for asking about his academic track record, boasting that he probably had a higher IQ than the New Hampshire educator. The moment went viral, 1980s-style, and an already beleaguered Mr. Biden dropped out of the race shortly thereafter.
Today Mr. Fahey, now retired and an avid follower of nitty-gritty congressional deliberations, says he’s seen a mellowing in the erstwhile Delaware senator – born not only of professional experience, including 36 years in the Senate, but also of the personal trials of a man who lost his young wife and daughter, and in 2015, his adult son Beau.
Why We Wrote This To many, the election was a clear indication that governing as if there’s a mandate for either party’s vision is not going to work. Divided government could, however, provide an opportunity for modest bipartisan progress.
“I think he has compassion, which is something we need right now,” says Mr. Fahey by phone, while watching TV coverage of the ongoing vote tallies in Arizona and Georgia.
As of press time, Mr. Biden was leading in four key swing states still counting the remaining 2% to 8% of ballots – with a growing lead in the biggest prize of Pennsylvania, which alone would be enough to give him the White House. While President Donald Trump and his campaign have launched court challenges, and many have cautioned against calling the election prematurely, Democrats as well as Republicans have pushed back on the president’s allegations of widespread irregularities. Control of the Senate will likely come down to two Georgia runoffs, the last nine of which have produced Republican winners, even when the Democrats led in the initial vote.
After a particularly divisive four years, the extreme wings of both parties are revved up, and any suspicions about the fairness and credibility of the election could lead to further agitation. But many others across the country – from voters to mayors to state representatives – see this election as a clear indication that trying to govern as if there’s a mandate for either party’s vision of sweeping change is not going to work.
Perhaps counterintuitively, the outcome that currently looks most likely – a Democratic president with a Republican Senate and more evenly balanced House – could provide an opportunity for America to regroup and see modest bipartisan progress. That’s in part because Mr. Biden has long-standing relationships with many Republican lawmakers, particularly Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
“Certainly a large part of the country is suffering from Trump fatigue,” says Ed Goeas, a Republican strategist in Alexandria, Virginia. “[Mr. Biden] has a real opportunity ... to work from the center and not be pulled into what appears to be a desire on the part of the progressives to go to war.”
Still, former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican, emphasized the importance of not calling the election prematurely, even as it appeared increasingly likely that Mr. Biden would win.
“Every vote needs to be counted,” says Governor Whitman, the national chairwoman of Republicans and Independents for Biden, adding that the Trump administration’s court challenges should be taken seriously. “Those will need to be heard, so that people have confidence that it is what we want it to be – a free and fair election.”
Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor/File View caption Hide caption Voter Frank Fahey clashed with Joe Biden on national TV during Mr. Biden's first presidential run in 1987, after Mr. Fahey questioned his academic track record. Now the retired New Hampshire educator thinks the former vice president is exactly the bridge-builder America needs.
The new-old power couple
Should the Senate remain in Republican hands while the White House goes to Democrats, Senator McConnell and a President Biden would become the nexus of power in Washington. The two have a strong working relationship and a long Senate history in common, including working on legislation targeting voter fraud. At Beau Biden’s 2015 funeral, the Kentucky senator was the only Senate Republican to attend.
Vice President Biden was Senator McConnell’s go-to negotiating partner in the Obama administration, together getting the country past the shoals of debt and fiscal crises. Around the White House, the vice president was called “the McConnell whisperer.” To the surprise of many, the Senate stepped up its productivity when Republicans took control in the last two years of the Obama presidency – working out deals on infrastructure, budget, education, and Medicare with Democrats.
Though the country has become increasingly polarized since then, both Mr. Biden and Senator McConnell are likely to be thinking ahead to how history will view them, says Steve Voss, a political scientist at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
“So that’s an opportunity for them to not worry too much about the clamor among the noisy wings of their party,” says Professor Voss.
Still, Senator McConnell’s pitch to voters this year was to keep the Senate in Republican hands as a “firewall” against Democrats. “Mitch is not about public policy; Mitch is about power. Anything that makes Biden look good, he’s going to think twice about,” said former Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, in a preelection interview.
As majority leader, Senator McConnell would control the Senate agenda, and can be expected to block progressive priorities, including progressive Cabinet picks and judges, if Mr. Biden were to nominate them. The Kentucky lawmaker’s strength, said Senator Heitkamp, a centrist from North Dakota, is his tight control of his caucus. The way for Mr. Biden to break that is to work with individual Republican senators, such as Susan Collins, who won reelection in Maine, or Rob Portman of Ohio.
Senator McConnell may find it harder to control his caucus as a number of senators consider their own presidential bids in 2024. “There’s going to be a lot of competitive pressures on him. There will be [conservative] folks who want to burn the place down and moderates who will say, ‘We need to heal the country,’” said John Feehery, former spokesman under Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert, also in a preelection interview.
By the same token, Mr. Biden could face significant pressure from “the Squad” and other progressive members of Congress who would have vastly preferred a President Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren. But in that regard, Senator McConnell could become a useful foil, allowing Mr. Biden to blame the majority leader for stymieing a progressive agenda, rather than dealing head-on with intra-Democratic divides.
“Biden will have to take very modest baby steps in terms of policy innovation ... if he’s going to get anything through the Senate,” says Charles S. Bullock III, a professor of political science at the University of Georgia. “[That] will frustrate the left wing of the party but also possibly give him an excuse for why he can’t go further left.”
A trickle-down effect
If Mr. Biden begins his presidency by rekindling and building on relationships with his former Republican Senate colleagues, and they are game to work together, that could have a trickle-down effect to their constituents, says Martha Hennessey, a Democratic state senator in New Hampshire.
“If they are telling the people they represent ... ‘This is OK, we’re going to give this guy a chance,’ ... if they even give a hint of that – people will start to calm down, and breathe deeply,” says Senator Hennessey, whose party just lost control of both chambers of the state legislature in the nastiest election she ever recalls seeing in New Hampshire.
Determining how the country got so polarized – and whether it was driven or simply reflected by Washington – is difficult. But most political scholars agree a clear turning point was 1994, when Georgia Rep. Newt Gingrich led a Republican charge to take back the House. After years of compromising with Democratic-dominated chambers of Congress, he argued it was time for “trench warfare,” says Professor Bullock of the University of Georgia.
The GOP takeover that vaulted Mr. Gingrich into the speaker’s chair – and the no-holds-barred approach behind it – did not go unnoticed by other ambitious politicians, who began adopting similar techniques, on both sides of the aisle. During that time, more lawmakers also began keeping their families in their home states, coming to Washington only for weekday business and ending an era of bipartisan mingling over dinner parties and children’s soccer games.
“Gingrich gets a fair amount of the credit or the blame for what politics has become today,” says Professor Bullock.
Parallel to that, voters have increasingly “sorted” themselves into partisan camps that are both ideologically and geographically distinct, creating an urban-rural divide.
“We talk about the online echo chambers and ideological bubbles in which folks exist,” says Professor Voss, who describes himself as a radical centrist. But, he adds, if more voters lived among people who were different from them politically, “it wouldn’t have the power that it does.”
At the local level, some officials point out they can’t afford to let polarization stand in the way of fixing potholes or repairing the sewer system.
“I don’t know if it came out from Washington or we sent it back toward Washington,” says Donnie Tuck, the independent mayor of Hampton, Virginia. But wherever it started, it needs to be stopped at every level, from the president on down, adds Mayor Tuck, who makes a point of attending social gatherings and meetings with people who don’t agree with him. “We need leadership that will try to bring us together.”
Democratic Mayor Steve Williams of Huntington, West Virginia, who just won his third term with 62% of the vote in a deep-red county, points out that the oath of office taken by politicians is not to uphold a political party but the Constitution of the United States.
“That’s what this nation needs right now – put the nation first,” says Mayor Williams, whose city has become a national model for dealing with the opioid crisis, for which he credits his own community’s willingness to work together as well as support and funding from the Obama and Trump administrations.
“There are some people in Washington who want division, because as they push division on both the right and the left, more [campaign] dollars come rolling in,” he says. “Let’s ... just start getting something done.”
In a speech Thursday, Mr. Biden reprised themes of unity he’s often emphasized on the campaign trail.
“Once this election is finalized and behind us, it will be time for us to do what we’ve always done as Americans: to put the harsh rhetoric of the campaign behind us,” he said, calling for the nation to unite, heal, and come together. “I am campaigning as a Democrat. But I will govern as an American president. The presidency itself is not a partisan institution. It is the one office in this nation that represents everyone. ... I will work as hard for those who didn’t vote for me as I will for those who did vote for me.”
He may have his work cut out for him, with many conservatives expressing doubt in the run-up to the election about whether he could or would hold off the increasingly energized left wing of his party, whose progressive agenda and stark discourse alarmed moderates.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Pennsylvania as it tallies up the remaining ballots, cast by voters like Kim Davis.
She waited an hour and 15 minutes to vote in Glen Rock, but said earlier this week as she exited the polling place that she would have waited four hours if that’s what it took to exercise her right to vote. As in 2016, she cast her ballot for Mr. Trump, whom she described as the “lesser of the evils.”
Wearing nursing scrubs and walking back to her Mini Cooper, Ms. Davis expressed a desire for greater moderation on both sides.
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“We forget that our end goal is serving the country, not serving a political party,” she said.
Staff writer Story Hinckley contributed reporting from Pennsylvania.


csmonitor--2020-11-06--A liberating way to end Libya’s long war

When Libyan representatives gather in Tunisia on Monday to begin charting a political future of their war-torn country , they will be restrained by a remarkable precondition : A seat at the table requires giving up personal ambition .
The participants , including both the president of the unity government , Fayez al-Sarraj , and his principal rival , Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar , “ must remove themselves from consideration in high government positions , ” said United Nations mediator Stephanie Williams .
That includes membership on the presidential council , the office of prime minister , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes that requirement so notable is where it came from .
The talks , part of a cease-fire agreement reached on Oct. 23 putting the country on a path to democratic elections , were framed with input from several Libyan civil society groups .
Participants were drawn from across the country ’ s diverse geographic , political , and ethnic groups , with an emphasis on involvement from women and youth .
A people battered by conflict since the ousting of former dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011 are playing an active role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across numerous conflicts underscores that inclusion of all groups involved in , and impacted by , a conflict is vital , ” said Osama Gharizi , a staff member at the United States Institute of Peace who has worked on the Iraq peace dialogues .
“ That inclusivity helps to ensure broad acceptance of a negotiated outcome , and to persuade all sides to pursue their grievances through institutions of law rather than through violent conflict.
” For nearly a decade Libya has been the theater of a complicated post-authoritarian conflict fueled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region and control the country ’ s oil reserves .
A U.N.-backed unity government was established in the capital , Tripoli .
It controls western parts of the country with armed forces , militias , along with mercenaries and military support from Turkey , Italy , and Qatar .
To the east , the government ’ s main rival is run by a general once aligned with Mr. Qaddafi and propped up with support from Egypt , France , Russia , and the United Arab Emirates .
In addition to access to Libya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers are divided on the role and influence of Islamist factions in Libya ’ s future governance .
The talks due to start Monday are a study in incrementalism and persistence .
During the past five years the path to these negotiations have wended through Russia , Switzerland , and Morocco .
Early cease-fires and accords were followed by pitched battles .
The toll on ordinary Libyans is impossible to quantify accurately .
Importantly , U.N. diplomacy sought patiently to build local support .
Ms. Williams , the acting special representative of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major players across the country in crafting the cease-fire and negotiation framework .
For this round to hold , two key issues need to be resolved almost immediately .
The first is how the foreign powers , which have never formally acknowledged having a military presence in the country , will withdraw by the accord ’ s January deadline .
The second involves the demobilization of armed factions , integration of rival forces , and joint security operations .
Reestablishing flights between the rival power centers of Tripoli and Benghazi would help establish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ What matters to the Libyan people is ‘ what , ’ not ‘ who , ’ ” Ms. Williams told negotiators in a virtual meeting last week .
“ Libyans want peace , security , and a decent life for them and their children .
Therefore it is of the utmost importance to place the supreme national interest above person , partisan , and regional considerations.
” And for now , that supreme interest lies with Libyans who have put peace first .

When Libyan representatives gather in Tunisia on Monday to begin charting a political future of their war-torn country, they will be restrained by a remarkable precondition: A seat at the table requires giving up personal ambition.
The participants, including both the president of the unity government, Fayez al-Sarraj, and his principal rival, Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, “must remove themselves from consideration in high government positions,” said United Nations mediator Stephanie Williams. That includes membership on the presidential council, the office of prime minister, and all other cabinet posts.
What makes that requirement so notable is where it came from. The talks, part of a cease-fire agreement reached on Oct. 23 putting the country on a path to democratic elections, were framed with input from several Libyan civil society groups. Participants were drawn from across the country’s diverse geographic, political, and ethnic groups, with an emphasis on involvement from women and youth. A people battered by conflict since the ousting of former dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011 are playing an active role in shaping peace.
“Research and experience across numerous conflicts underscores that inclusion of all groups involved in, and impacted by, a conflict is vital,” said Osama Gharizi, a staff member at the United States Institute of Peace who has worked on the Iraq peace dialogues. “That inclusivity helps to ensure broad acceptance of a negotiated outcome, and to persuade all sides to pursue their grievances through institutions of law rather than through violent conflict.”
For nearly a decade Libya has been the theater of a complicated post-authoritarian conflict fueled by international rivals seeking to dominate the Mediterranean region and control the country’s oil reserves. A U.N.-backed unity government was established in the capital, Tripoli. It controls western parts of the country with armed forces, militias, along with mercenaries and military support from Turkey, Italy, and Qatar. To the east, the government’s main rival is run by a general once aligned with Mr. Qaddafi and propped up with support from Egypt, France, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In addition to access to Libya’s oil fields, the international powers are divided on the role and influence of Islamist factions in Libya’s future governance.
The talks due to start Monday are a study in incrementalism and persistence. During the past five years the path to these negotiations have wended through Russia, Switzerland, and Morocco. Early cease-fires and accords were followed by pitched battles. The toll on ordinary Libyans is impossible to quantify accurately.
Importantly, U.N. diplomacy sought patiently to build local support. Ms. Williams, the acting special representative of the U.N. secretary-general in Libya, met with major players across the country in crafting the cease-fire and negotiation framework.
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For this round to hold, two key issues need to be resolved almost immediately. The first is how the foreign powers, which have never formally acknowledged having a military presence in the country, will withdraw by the accord’s January deadline. The second involves the demobilization of armed factions, integration of rival forces, and joint security operations. Reestablishing flights between the rival power centers of Tripoli and Benghazi would help establish goodwill.
But the cornerstone is inclusivity. “What matters to the Libyan people is ‘what,’ not ‘who,’” Ms. Williams told negotiators in a virtual meeting last week. “Libyans want peace, security, and a decent life for them and their children. Therefore it is of the utmost importance to place the supreme national interest above person, partisan, and regional considerations.” And for now, that supreme interest lies with Libyans who have put peace first.


csmonitor--2020-11-06--Points of Progress: Humane shark attack prevention, and more

Archbishop Wilton Gregory will become the first African American cardinal after Pope Francis recently elevated 13 men to the highest governing body of the Roman Catholic Church .
Last year , Archbishop Gregory was appointed as the first Black leader of the Washington Archdiocese .
The new cardinals will be initiated in a ceremony set for Nov. 28 .
A small fraction of Catholic priests in the United States – fewer than 1 % – are Black .
The decision comes as national and global debates over racism and the legacy of slavery extend into religious life .
“ Pope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope and inclusion to the church in the United States , ” said Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles , leader of the largest Catholic archdiocese in the country .
“ The naming of the first African American cardinal from the United States gives us an opportunity to pause and offer thanks for the many gifts African American Catholics have given the church.
” ( Reuters , The New York Times ) A surveillance system made from repurposed cellphones is helping deter illegal logging in the Amazon .
From 2001 to 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tree cover .
Instead of relying on park rangers to wander the forest and pick out sounds of logging among the natural clamor , the nonprofit Rainforest Connection is using old cellphones to build audio recorders that look like mechanical flowers , which are hoisted into trees .
The devices send 24/7 recordings to the cloud , where AI software hunts for telltale logging sounds , such as trucks , chainsaws , human voices , or gunshots .
There are currently more than 150 active devices in five countries around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peru , and they can each capture sounds up to a mile away .
When the software detects a suspicious noise , it alerts local rangers , who can investigate the situation .
Aerial surveys and satellite imaging can take weeks to reach rangers .
Rainforest Connection , which collaborates with other nonprofits , community groups , and tribes to install the technology , says the phones are more efficient than traditional monitoring strategies .
Project founder Topher White said that “ sound is the most exciting piece of data available to us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for protecting the planet.
” ( CNN , Amazon Conservation ) Scientists from South Africa have developed one of the first shark-safe alternatives to nets , and promising test runs are offering hope for the sustainable coexistence of tourists and wildlife .
The SharkSafe Barrier uses magnets embedded in plastic pipes to deter sharks , which are extremely sensitive to magnetic waves .
Other marine life can swim through the barrier , which mimics a kelp forest , without a problem .
An ongoing SharkSafe trial on the French island of Réunion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks , has kept sharks away from shores and the 200 units have not needed any maintenance since January 2019 .
Critics argue that nets are far cheaper , but unlike nets , the barrier wouldn ’ t need to be cleaned or replaced .
The SharkSafe Barrier also preserves local shark populations , which can be a tourist attraction in and of themselves .
( Daily Maverick ) Women are claiming a more active role in marine conservation and management in communities where fishing is traditionally dominated by men .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always participated in the harvesting of local oysters , but were rarely included in important decisions about the management of ancestral waters .
Now , the Indigenous Tagbanwa group has given 15 women ownership over more than 320 acres of water , which means they have the power to determine harvesting schedules , outline protected areas , and document various species .
The women also received technical training from Community Centred Conservation Philippines , a local nongovernmental organization .
Studies show that a more balanced workforce is an important part of resource management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and similar projects to promote women into management roles are taking root in other municipalities as well .
( Mongabay ) Access to reliable electricity continued to improve around the globe in 2019 , according to a report from the International Energy Agency .
The number of people without electricity declined by about 90 million last year , hitting a record low of 770 million .
For many countries , this reflects a trend of steady growth over several years .
In Asia , 1.2 billion people gained access between 2000 and 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced that more than 99 % of its population had electricity .
Researchers say the pandemic has slowed or even reversed progress in some areas .
Early estimates suggest that electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa , home to most of the world ’ s unplugged population , will decrease for the first time since 2013 .
Decentralized and renewable energy solutions could help areas hit hardest by the coronavirus get back on track to meet their 2030 energy goals , the IEA report said .
( International Energy Agency ) A NASA spacecraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an asteroid more than 200 million miles away from Earth .
This is a first for the U.S. space program , and scientists hope the dust and rocks will help shed light on the formation of our solar system .
Launched in 2016 , the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft landed on the Bennu asteroid on Oct. 20 in a quick move that researchers described as “ kissing the surface.
” The touch-and-go maneuver was effective : The spacecraft collected so much rubble that the ship ’ s lid couldn ’ t close properly and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are so excited to see what appears to be an abundant sample that will inspire science for decades beyond this historic moment , ” said Thomas Zurbuchen , NASA ’ s science mission chief .
OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to return to Earth in 2023 .
( The Associated Press , CNN , NASA )

1. United States
Archbishop Wilton Gregory will become the first African American cardinal after Pope Francis recently elevated 13 men to the highest governing body of the Roman Catholic Church. Last year, Archbishop Gregory was appointed as the first Black leader of the Washington Archdiocese. The new cardinals will be initiated in a ceremony set for Nov. 28.
Jose Luis Magana/AP/File View caption Hide caption Washington, D.C., Archbishop Wilton Gregory greets churchgoers at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington on Oct. 6, 2019. The civil rights advocate will soon move up to cardinal.
A small fraction of Catholic priests in the United States – fewer than 1% – are Black. The decision comes as national and global debates over racism and the legacy of slavery extend into religious life. “Pope Francis is sending a powerful message of hope and inclusion to the church in the United States,” said Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, leader of the largest Catholic archdiocese in the country. “The naming of the first African American cardinal from the United States gives us an opportunity to pause and offer thanks for the many gifts African American Catholics have given the church.” (Reuters, The New York Times)
Why We Wrote This This is more than feel-good news – it's where the world is making concrete progress. A roundup of positive stories to inspire you.
2. Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru
A surveillance system made from repurposed cellphones is helping deter illegal logging in the Amazon. From 2001 to 2018, Brazil lost more than 100 million acres of tree cover. Instead of relying on park rangers to wander the forest and pick out sounds of logging among the natural clamor, the nonprofit Rainforest Connection is using old cellphones to build audio recorders that look like mechanical flowers, which are hoisted into trees. The devices send 24/7 recordings to the cloud, where AI software hunts for telltale logging sounds, such as trucks, chainsaws, human voices, or gunshots. There are currently more than 150 active devices in five countries around the world, including Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru, and they can each capture sounds up to a mile away.
When the software detects a suspicious noise, it alerts local rangers, who can investigate the situation. Aerial surveys and satellite imaging can take weeks to reach rangers. Rainforest Connection, which collaborates with other nonprofits, community groups, and tribes to install the technology, says the phones are more efficient than traditional monitoring strategies. Project founder Topher White said that “sound is the most exciting piece of data available to us that’s not been fully realized for protecting the planet.” (CNN, Amazon Conservation)
3. South Africa
Scientists from South Africa have developed one of the first shark-safe alternatives to nets, and promising test runs are offering hope for the sustainable coexistence of tourists and wildlife. The SharkSafe Barrier uses magnets embedded in plastic pipes to deter sharks, which are extremely sensitive to magnetic waves. Other marine life can swim through the barrier, which mimics a kelp forest, without a problem. An ongoing SharkSafe trial on the French island of Réunion, where tourism has declined due to shark attacks, has kept sharks away from shores and the 200 units have not needed any maintenance since January 2019. Critics argue that nets are far cheaper, but unlike nets, the barrier wouldn’t need to be cleaned or replaced. The SharkSafe Barrier also preserves local shark populations, which can be a tourist attraction in and of themselves. (Daily Maverick)
4. Philippines
Women are claiming a more active role in marine conservation and management in communities where fishing is traditionally dominated by men. On the western island of Calauit, women have always participated in the harvesting of local oysters, but were rarely included in important decisions about the management of ancestral waters. Now, the Indigenous Tagbanwa group has given 15 women ownership over more than 320 acres of water, which means they have the power to determine harvesting schedules, outline protected areas, and document various species. The women also received technical training from Community Centred Conservation Philippines, a local nongovernmental organization. Studies show that a more balanced workforce is an important part of resource management in the fishing industry and beyond, and similar projects to promote women into management roles are taking root in other municipalities as well. (Mongabay)
World
Access to reliable electricity continued to improve around the globe in 2019, according to a report from the International Energy Agency. The number of people without electricity declined by about 90 million last year, hitting a record low of 770 million. For many countries, this reflects a trend of steady growth over several years. In Asia, 1.2 billion people gained access between 2000 and 2019. Last year, the Indian government announced that more than 99% of its population had electricity. Researchers say the pandemic has slowed or even reversed progress in some areas. Early estimates suggest that electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa, home to most of the world’s unplugged population, will decrease for the first time since 2013. Decentralized and renewable energy solutions could help areas hit hardest by the coronavirus get back on track to meet their 2030 energy goals, the IEA report said. (International Energy Agency)
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Outer space
A NASA spacecraft has collected samples from the surface of an asteroid more than 200 million miles away from Earth. This is a first for the U.S. space program, and scientists hope the dust and rocks will help shed light on the formation of our solar system. Launched in 2016, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft landed on the Bennu asteroid on Oct. 20 in a quick move that researchers described as “kissing the surface.”
NASA/AP View caption Hide caption The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft touches the surface of asteroid Bennu on Oct. 20, 2020. Japan is the only other country to land a probe on an asteroid.
The touch-and-go maneuver was effective: The spacecraft collected so much rubble that the ship’s lid couldn’t close properly and some material has leaked out into space. “We are so excited to see what appears to be an abundant sample that will inspire science for decades beyond this historic moment,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s science mission chief. OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to return to Earth in 2023. (The Associated Press, CNN, NASA)


csmonitor--2020-11-06--From the editor: Where we go from here

From the editor: Where we go from here

Civility and grace and fair play have proved their fortitude and relevance in moments of doubt as well as certitude .
As the process continues toward the inauguration on January 20 , what has already been accomplished points to the way forward .
The question of today , for everyone from first-time voters to the president , is : Are we committed to the bonds of trust and the mutual obligations that define America ?
The past week has shown the power of that commitment in the good of those working on behalf of democratic ideals .
During the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bright light .
Forecasts of catastrophe were widespread .
But vote counters have shown steadiness and resolve .
First-time voters drove participation to historic levels .
And the voting finished without any major incidence of violence .
President Donald Trump has filed lawsuits and made unfounded assertions about the legitimacy of the vote .
But regardless of any allegations or prognostications , the process rolls on .
Lawsuits grounded firmly in evidence must still play out in the courts .
Results must be certified by states .
Reports suggest that Democratic presidential nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win .
The call of “ who won the presidency ” might finally be near after days of waiting .
This past week has been difficult for many Americans , indeed even many outside the United States .
To say tensions have run high after the Nov. 3 election would be an understatement .
The United States has seesawed between two different paths forward , always with the advice to be patient while the electoral machinery finishes its job .
Today , a growing lead places Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports suggesting calls could come soon .
Mr. Biden ’ s campaign has been speaking with increasing confidence .
President Donald Trump has filed lawsuits and made unfounded assertions about the legitimacy of the vote .
But what has really happened ?
Lawsuits grounded firmly in evidence must still play out in the courts .
Results must be certified by states , electoral votes cast .
Today was an important mile marker .
But in waiting for networks to make a call , it is possible that we missed a larger lesson from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predictions of electoral chaos and collapse were not difficult to find .
But the overwhelming story of the election so far is one of professionalism and patriotic duty by civil servants and elected officials .
So far the process has worked amid the unprecedented pressures of a pandemic and mass mail-in voting .
Vote counters present an image of steadiness and resolve to a high civic calling .
First-time voters like Zack Ness – who told the Monitor he also helped his father cast his first-ever ballot – drove participation to levels unseen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voting finished without any major incidence of violence .
The process will continue until the inauguration on January 20 .
But what has already been accomplished points to the way forward .
During the past three days , civility and grace and fair play have proved their fortitude and relevance in moments of doubt as well as certitude .
They fueled a remarkable achievement – a peaceful , professional election amid a pandemic and historic political polarization .
In the end , the Founders could set up only the guardrails for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tyranny are constitutional guarantees of individual liberty along with institutions that check each other .
Recent years have shown that turning political opponents into personal enemies leaves much of the promise of democracy untapped .
The country can survive , but in lurching from crisis to crisis , it only becomes more divided .
This day asks everyone , from first-time voters to the president himself , to consider : Are we committed to the bonds of trust and the mutual obligations that define America ?
When the founder of this newspaper , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her politics in the election year of 1908 , she answered : “ I have none , in reality , other than to help support a righteous government ; to love God supremely , and my neighbor as myself.
” Her words point to qualities of thought – away from self and toward humility , love , and service – as the ground on which government must rest .
And while this week has shown many different portraits of America , perhaps the most overlooked one is the most important .
It shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to heal and help the nation is the good in hearts aspiring upward toward a greater , stronger whole .

Civility and grace and fair play have proved their fortitude and relevance in moments of doubt as well as certitude. As the process continues toward the inauguration on January 20, what has already been accomplished points to the way forward. The question of today, for everyone from first-time voters to the president, is: Are we committed to the bonds of trust and the mutual obligations that define America? The past week has shown the power of that commitment in the good of those working on behalf of democratic ideals.
During the past week, that process has been a bright light. Forecasts of catastrophe were widespread. But vote counters have shown steadiness and resolve. First-time voters drove participation to historic levels. And the voting finished without any major incidence of violence.
On a day when the presidential election appears to be shifting into a new phase, Editor Mark Sappenfield shares how the Monitor is looking forward.
President Donald Trump has filed lawsuits and made unfounded assertions about the legitimacy of the vote. But regardless of any allegations or prognostications, the process rolls on. Lawsuits grounded firmly in evidence must still play out in the courts. Results must be certified by states.
Reports suggest that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is nearing the threshold to win. The call of “who won the presidency” might finally be near after days of waiting.
This past week has been difficult for many Americans, indeed even many outside the United States. To say tensions have run high after the Nov. 3 election would be an understatement. The United States has seesawed between two different paths forward, always with the advice to be patient while the electoral machinery finishes its job.
Today, a growing lead places Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden near the threshold of the White House, with reports suggesting calls could come soon. Mr. Biden’s campaign has been speaking with increasing confidence. President Donald Trump has filed lawsuits and made unfounded assertions about the legitimacy of the vote.
But what has really happened? Lawsuits grounded firmly in evidence must still play out in the courts. Results must be certified by states, electoral votes cast. Today was an important mile marker. But in waiting for networks to make a call, it is possible that we missed a larger lesson from the past week.
Why We Wrote This On a day when the presidential election appears to be shifting into a new phase, Editor Mark Sappenfield shares how the Monitor is looking forward.
Weeks ago, predictions of electoral chaos and collapse were not difficult to find. But the overwhelming story of the election so far is one of professionalism and patriotic duty by civil servants and elected officials. So far the process has worked amid the unprecedented pressures of a pandemic and mass mail-in voting.
Vote counters present an image of steadiness and resolve to a high civic calling. First-time voters like Zack Ness – who told the Monitor he also helped his father cast his first-ever ballot – drove participation to levels unseen in more than a century. And the voting finished without any major incidence of violence.
The process will continue until the inauguration on January 20. But what has already been accomplished points to the way forward. During the past three days, civility and grace and fair play have proved their fortitude and relevance in moments of doubt as well as certitude. They fueled a remarkable achievement – a peaceful, professional election amid a pandemic and historic political polarization.
In the end, the Founders could set up only the guardrails for the American experiment. The best defense against tyranny are constitutional guarantees of individual liberty along with institutions that check each other. Recent years have shown that turning political opponents into personal enemies leaves much of the promise of democracy untapped. The country can survive, but in lurching from crisis to crisis, it only becomes more divided.
This day asks everyone, from first-time voters to the president himself, to consider: Are we committed to the bonds of trust and the mutual obligations that define America?
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
When the founder of this newspaper, Mary Baker Eddy, was asked about her politics in the election year of 1908, she answered: “I have none, in reality, other than to help support a righteous government; to love God supremely, and my neighbor as myself.”
Her words point to qualities of thought – away from self and toward humility, love, and service – as the ground on which government must rest. And while this week has shown many different portraits of America, perhaps the most overlooked one is the most important. It shows clearly that the greatest power we possess to heal and help the nation is the good in hearts aspiring upward toward a greater, stronger whole.


csmonitor--2020-11-06--As lone wolf attacks go up, can Europe keep Islamophobia down?

“ Society as a whole has a certain amount of responsibility ; not the main responsibility , also not the first responsibility , but it has an effect on the process , ” says Lamya Kaddor , a scholar of Islamic studies and teacher who introduced Islamic education into German public schools .
“ If I as a young person am constantly being pushed into a corner , constantly being pushed towards the edge of society , because my lifestyle isn ’ t German enough or isn ’ t considered normal , then this promotes radicalization.
” If lone wolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t better grasp how to talk about them , backlash against Muslim communities could worsen , experts say .
Politicians might feel it imperative to channel the “ gravity ” of a violent attack , says Dr. Fiona de Londras of the University of Birmingham , but they must also “ make sure nothing is incendiary.
” “ There ’ s a balance to achieve.
” Terror attacks in Europe are increasingly perpetrated by radicalized individuals , rather than organized and supported by networks such as the Islamic State , experts say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discrimination as politicians and greater society rush to condemn terror attacks and their perpetrators .
To Vienna resident Julia Schrammel , her beloved hometown felt like a bubble of peace and security .
Until Monday night , that is , as Europe ’ s third terror attack in three weeks brought gunfire to the city center as she dined with friends .
The shooter – who killed four people before being shot dead by police – had tried to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State ( ISIS ) a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and given a prison sentence in Austria that was cut short .
Holed up in her apartment later , Ms. Schrammel reflected upon his early release .
“ I think the public would have wished this person had stayed under arrest , ” says Ms. Schrammel , who is a master ’ s student in international management .
“ I understand it ’ s really hard if someone ’ s convincing authorities that they ’ re no longer [ radicalized ] .
Still , it ’ s important to understand this is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This separation of terror from religion is a sentiment that has characterized Austrian society ’ s response .
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz at first remarked the shooting shouldn ’ t be seen as a fight “ between Christians and Muslims , or between Austrians and migrants , ” before later taking a more divisive tone .
In France , on the other hand , last week ’ s knife attack in Nice and a beheading in a Parisian suburb on Oct. 16 weren ’ t met with such a fine line .
French President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarks earlier last month that “ Islam is a religion that is in crisis all over the world today ” and outlined plans to counter what he called “ Islamist separatism.
” Terror attacks in Europe are increasingly perpetrated by radicalized individuals , rather than being organized and supported by networks such as ISIS , experts say .
That means Muslim communities are more vulnerable to discrimination as politicians and greater society rush to condemn terror attacks and their perpetrators .
“ Fighting ‘ Islamic terror ’ is a catastrophic term , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radicalization at the University of Vienna .
“ People all of a sudden slip into talking about Islam , and it ’ s a very slippery slope .
I don ’ t think a terror attack can divide societies , but policy can.
” The reasons an individual might commit violence are incredibly complex , and there are no clear paths to radicalization , says Fiona de Londras , chair of global legal studies at the University of Birmingham in England .
“ There are a lot of assumptions in politics ; one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not entirely sure that ’ s the case .
The push-and-pull factors are contextual.
” What ’ s clear , however , is that acts are increasingly perpetrated by lone wolf actors , which make them extremely difficult to detect and track .
For example , the young man behind the Paris beheading , who was of Chechen origin but had spent most of his young life in France , was not previously known to authorities .
Neither was the Tunisian man who authorities say killed three worshippers in a church in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impossible to stop with a single individual and access to firearms ... [ or ] everyday items such as a vehicle or knives , ” says Steve Hewitt , a lecturer in security and intelligence at the University of Birmingham .
When perpetrators might be known to authorities , they can still slip through the cracks .
The Vienna shooter had been in prison and should have been tracked after his release , says Dr. Pisoiu of the University of Vienna .
“ But they didn ’ t , ” she says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and flagged as someone who “ wasn ’ t over it.
” “ Everyone ’ s pushing [ around ] the blame .
Now the Interior Ministry says , ‘ Well , it ’ s not our fault because the guy was supposed to be deradicalized.
’ The problem is that we don ’ t actually have a deradicalization program.
” A good program , she says , involves many institutions and aspects , from schooling to psychological support and employment programs .
“ Make sure the guy has a job , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t go back to his buddies , his community , ” says Dr. Pisoiu .
The rise of the far-right in European politics is adding an often toxic new element to the discussion around terror attacks .
Far-right ideology can inflame Islamophobia , which risks triggering a broader societal backlash against Europe ’ s population of more than 26 million Muslims .
That can fuel alienation within members of the Muslim community , which can in turn trigger those members ’ radicalization , says Dr. Hewitt of the University of Birmingham .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it ’ s about politics , ” says Dr. Hewitt .
French President Macron is facing reelection in 2022 and increasing pressure from the far-right .
His comments about reforming Islam are likely meant to appeal to this right flank , but they also are “ exacerbating divisions , ” says Dr. Hewitt , which makes things “ far worse in the long run.
” Politicians might feel it imperative to channel the “ gravity ” of a violent attack , says Dr. de Londras , but they must also “ make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a balance to achieve , ” she says .
“ It ’ s arguable that President Macron has a tendency to respond in a way that fails to reflect on what the root causes of divisions are in France.
” Experts believe France and other European nations should avoid duplicating the United Kingdom ’ s controversial “ Prevent ” deradicalization program introduced in 2003 , which led to the targeting and alienation of British Muslims .
“ ‘ Prevent ’ places a responsibility on all sorts of institutions , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report those they suspect as radicalized to authorities .
The problem is that [ the ] communities identified are mostly Muslim and it creates a profile , ” says Dr. Alex Christoyannopoulos , a politics and international relations lecturer at Loughborough University .
“ Some are suspected much quicker than others , maybe because they ’ re simply critical of foreign policy in the Middle East.
” If lone wolf attacks do continue and society doesn ’ t better grasp how to talk about them , backlash against Muslim communities in the U.K. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Society as a whole has a certain amount of responsibility ; not the main responsibility , also not the first responsibility , but it has an effect on the process , ” says Lamya Kaddor , a scholar of Islamic studies and teacher who introduced Islamic education into German public schools .
“ If I as a young person am constantly being pushed into a corner , constantly being pushed towards the edge of society , because my lifestyle isn ’ t German enough or isn ’ t considered normal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vienna shootings , Austrian society reacted in a sensitive way that was encouraging , says Thomas Roithner , an expert on Austrian foreign affairs , security , and defense at the University of Vienna .
Take the media .
“ There wasn ’ t this reflexive response to research his background and religion , ” says Mr. Roithner .
Austrians were also discouraged from sharing self-shot videos of the shootings , and media interviewed bystanders to ask why they felt compelled to help .
Politicians also mostly talked of unity .
“ Politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people out or dividing [ out ] people who were born in Austria or not born in Austria and now live here , ” says Mr. Roithner .
“ It hasn ’ t always been like that in the past .
This is an important sign that civilians sent to politicians , that they don ’ t want to see people divided right now .
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“Society as a whole has a certain amount of responsibility; not the main responsibility, also not the first responsibility, but it has an effect on the process,” says Lamya Kaddor, a scholar of Islamic studies and teacher who introduced Islamic education into German public schools. “If I as a young person am constantly being pushed into a corner, constantly being pushed towards the edge of society, because my lifestyle isn’t German enough or isn’t considered normal, then this promotes radicalization.”
If lone wolf attacks do continue and society doesn’t better grasp how to talk about them, backlash against Muslim communities could worsen, experts say.
How do nations respond to the sorts of deadly attacks recently seen in Europe without sparking an Islamophobic societal backlash? Experts say the answer is a balance between security and responsible communication.
Politicians might feel it imperative to channel the “gravity” of a violent attack, says Dr. Fiona de Londras of the University of Birmingham, but they must also “make sure nothing is incendiary.” “There’s a balance to achieve.”
Terror attacks in Europe are increasingly perpetrated by radicalized individuals, rather than organized and supported by networks such as the Islamic State, experts say. That means Muslim communities are more vulnerable to discrimination as politicians and greater society rush to condemn terror attacks and their perpetrators.
To Vienna resident Julia Schrammel, her beloved hometown felt like a bubble of peace and security. Until Monday night, that is, as Europe’s third terror attack in three weeks brought gunfire to the city center as she dined with friends.
The shooter – who killed four people before being shot dead by police – had tried to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State (ISIS) a few years ago. But he was arrested and given a prison sentence in Austria that was cut short. Holed up in her apartment later, Ms. Schrammel reflected upon his early release.
“I think the public would have wished this person had stayed under arrest,” says Ms. Schrammel, who is a master’s student in international management. “I understand it’s really hard if someone’s convincing authorities that they’re no longer [radicalized]. Still, it’s important to understand this is about extremes and not about Muslims overall.”
Why We Wrote This How do nations respond to the sorts of deadly attacks recently seen in Europe without sparking an Islamophobic societal backlash? Experts say the answer is a balance between security and responsible communication.
This separation of terror from religion is a sentiment that has characterized Austrian society’s response. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz at first remarked the shooting shouldn’t be seen as a fight “between Christians and Muslims, or between Austrians and migrants,” before later taking a more divisive tone.
In France, on the other hand, last week’s knife attack in Nice and a beheading in a Parisian suburb on Oct. 16 weren’t met with such a fine line. French President Emmanuel Macron stoked controversy when he made remarks earlier last month that “Islam is a religion that is in crisis all over the world today” and outlined plans to counter what he called “Islamist separatism.”
Terror attacks in Europe are increasingly perpetrated by radicalized individuals, rather than being organized and supported by networks such as ISIS, experts say. That means Muslim communities are more vulnerable to discrimination as politicians and greater society rush to condemn terror attacks and their perpetrators.
“Fighting ‘Islamic terror’ is a catastrophic term,” says Daniela Pisoiu, a researcher on radicalization at the University of Vienna. “People all of a sudden slip into talking about Islam, and it’s a very slippery slope. I don’t think a terror attack can divide societies, but policy can.”
More lone wolves, harder to find
The reasons an individual might commit violence are incredibly complex, and there are no clear paths to radicalization, says Fiona de Londras, chair of global legal studies at the University of Birmingham in England. “There are a lot of assumptions in politics; one example is poverty. But we’re not entirely sure that’s the case. The push-and-pull factors are contextual.”
What’s clear, however, is that acts are increasingly perpetrated by lone wolf actors, which make them extremely difficult to detect and track. For example, the young man behind the Paris beheading, who was of Chechen origin but had spent most of his young life in France, was not previously known to authorities. Neither was the Tunisian man who authorities say killed three worshippers in a church in Nice last week. “Attacks are impossible to stop with a single individual and access to firearms ... [or] everyday items such as a vehicle or knives,” says Steve Hewitt, a lecturer in security and intelligence at the University of Birmingham.
When perpetrators might be known to authorities, they can still slip through the cracks. The Vienna shooter had been in prison and should have been tracked after his release, says Dr. Pisoiu of the University of Vienna. “But they didn’t,” she says, remarking that the shooter had been evaluated and flagged as someone who “wasn’t over it.” “Everyone’s pushing [around] the blame. Now the Interior Ministry says, ‘Well, it’s not our fault because the guy was supposed to be deradicalized.’ The problem is that we don’t actually have a deradicalization program.”
A good program, she says, involves many institutions and aspects, from schooling to psychological support and employment programs. “Make sure the guy has a job, you know, make sure he doesn’t go back to his buddies, his community,” says Dr. Pisoiu.
The politics around terrorism
The rise of the far-right in European politics is adding an often toxic new element to the discussion around terror attacks. Far-right ideology can inflame Islamophobia, which risks triggering a broader societal backlash against Europe’s population of more than 26 million Muslims. That can fuel alienation within members of the Muslim community, which can in turn trigger those members’ radicalization, says Dr. Hewitt of the University of Birmingham.
“I also can’t help wondering if it’s about politics,” says Dr. Hewitt. French President Macron is facing reelection in 2022 and increasing pressure from the far-right. His comments about reforming Islam are likely meant to appeal to this right flank, but they also are “exacerbating divisions,” says Dr. Hewitt, which makes things “far worse in the long run.”
Politicians might feel it imperative to channel the “gravity” of a violent attack, says Dr. de Londras, but they must also “make sure nothing is incendiary.” “There’s a balance to achieve,” she says. “It’s arguable that President Macron has a tendency to respond in a way that fails to reflect on what the root causes of divisions are in France.”
Experts believe France and other European nations should avoid duplicating the United Kingdom’s controversial “Prevent” deradicalization program introduced in 2003, which led to the targeting and alienation of British Muslims.
“‘Prevent’ places a responsibility on all sorts of institutions, such as schools, health, etc., to report those they suspect as radicalized to authorities. The problem is that [the] communities identified are mostly Muslim and it creates a profile,” says Dr. Alex Christoyannopoulos, a politics and international relations lecturer at Loughborough University. “Some are suspected much quicker than others, maybe because they’re simply critical of foreign policy in the Middle East.”
If lone wolf attacks do continue and society doesn’t better grasp how to talk about them, backlash against Muslim communities in the U.K. and France could worsen, experts say.
“Society as a whole has a certain amount of responsibility; not the main responsibility, also not the first responsibility, but it has an effect on the process,” says Lamya Kaddor, a scholar of Islamic studies and teacher who introduced Islamic education into German public schools. “If I as a young person am constantly being pushed into a corner, constantly being pushed towards the edge of society, because my lifestyle isn’t German enough or isn’t considered normal, then this promotes radicalization.”
A responsible response
In the Vienna shootings, Austrian society reacted in a sensitive way that was encouraging, says Thomas Roithner, an expert on Austrian foreign affairs, security, and defense at the University of Vienna.
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Take the media. “There wasn’t this reflexive response to research his background and religion,” says Mr. Roithner. Austrians were also discouraged from sharing self-shot videos of the shootings, and media interviewed bystanders to ask why they felt compelled to help. Politicians also mostly talked of unity.
“Politicians didn’t start talking about shutting people out or dividing [out] people who were born in Austria or not born in Austria and now live here,” says Mr. Roithner. “It hasn’t always been like that in the past. This is an important sign that civilians sent to politicians, that they don’t want to see people divided right now.”