Greg Fitzgerald

I trusted AI with daily decisions. The way it dived in, experts say, raises flags. Artificial intelligence is being marketed as a helpful problem-solver for daily life. A one-week experiment revealed some flaws.

AI is marketed as a problem-solver for daily life, but a one-week experiment by a Monitor reporter showed it might be too eager to help. . #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #writers
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/...

As US and Russia unbind from nuclear treaty, China’s arsenal has been growing China is engaged in a huge nuclear weapons expansion, growing the size and capabilities of its arsenal. At a time when the will to curb nuclear proliferation is waning, this could unleash a new wave o...

China is engaged in a huge nuclear weapons expansion, growing the size and capabilities of its arsenal. At a time when the will to curb nuclear proliferation is waning, this could unleash a new wave of nuclear arms competition. #china #nuclear #weapons
www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-P...

How the US is forcing Mexico’s hand on Cuba Mexican diplomatic support to Cuba has long boosted the communist island. It also helps Mexico assert independence from the United States.

Mexico's diplomatic support to Cuba has long boosted the communist island. It also helps Mexico assert its independence from the United States. #Cuba #mexico #politics #diplomacy
www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe...

In Texas, a contentious Republican primary goes down to the wire The primary battle for the Republican nod in Texas’ U.S. Senate race illustrates tensions between factions of the GOP. Some national Republicans are concerned the seat could be at risk.

The primary battle for the Republican nod in Texas’ U.S. Senate race illustrates tensions between factions of the GOP. Some national Republicans are concerned the seat could be at risk. #texas #primary #senate
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...

Initial Iran strikes over, what strategy will define the next US moves? The U.S. and Israeli offensive against Iran will have to rely on a coordinated operation to maximize firepower and mitigate retaliation risks.

Airstrikes against Iran were effective in the early days of the mission. But there’s more to do – both offensively and defensively – if the U.S. hopes to crack Iran’s regime. #iran #trump #war
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military...

The Strait of Hormuz: How Iran conflict affects oil tankers – and prices Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Here’s what’s at stake as the Iran conflict puts this narrow channel in the spotlight.

Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Our explainer explores what’s at stake for global oil prices as the Iran conflict puts this narrow channel in the spotlight. #iran #Trump #war #Oil www.csmonitor.com/Business/202...

US and Israel launch broad campaign against Iran US and Israeli strikes hit at least five Iranian cities overnight, targeting missile sites and top leaders’ offices. Iran retaliated across the region.

Nearly a half-century into its existence, the Iranian regime – already weakened by targeted US and Israeli strikes last summer – is now facing a potentially existential threat. #Iran #war #attack #trump www.csmonitor.com/World/2026/0...

Via camel, rickshaw, whatever it takes, this nonprofit brings libraries to children “If children couldn’t come to the library, the library had to go to them,” says the head of the nonprofit Alif Laila Book Bus Society.

Mobile libraries operated by Alif Laila Book Bus Society have grown into a nationwide phenomenon, upending the belief among many Pakistanis that reading is a pastime reserved for the elite. #Libraries #pakistan #children www.csmonitor.com/World/Making...

Why promises of ‘iron fist’ security are winning support in Latin American elections Security and violence are top concerns for Latin American voters heading to the polls this year, seeking iron-fist policies.

Security and violence are top concerns for Latin American voters heading to the polls this year, seeking iron-fist policies. #LatinAmerica #elections
www.csmonitor.com/World/Americ...

Mexico takes out most-wanted cartel leader: Why that means nationwide upheaval Taking down a drug cartel leader is a win for a country. But the swift violence that often follows is a public reminder that peace might not be imminent.

Taking down a drug cartel leader is a win for a country. But the swift violence that often follows is a public reminder that peace might not be imminent. #mexico #cartels #violence
www.csmonitor.com/World/Americ...

Letter to Pokrovsk, Ukrainian city of roses: Your beautiful spirit isn’t lost During visits to the now-ruined and occupied Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a Monitor reporter fell in love with its roses, for the hope and inspiration they provided the city’s warm and welcoming reside...

During visits to the now-ruined and occupied Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a Monitor reporter fell in love with its roses, for the hope and inspiration they provided the city’s warm and welcoming residents in time of war. #ukraine #war #russia
www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe...

Letter to Pokrovsk, Ukrainian city of roses: Your beautiful spirit isn’t lost During visits to the now-ruined and occupied Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a Monitor reporter fell in love with its roses, for the hope and inspiration they provided the city’s warm and welcoming reside...

During visits to the now-ruined and occupied Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a Monitor reporter fell in love with its roses, for the hope and inspiration they provided the city’s warm and welcoming residents in time of war. #ukraine #war #russia
www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe...

Committed, but weary? Russia stays the course after four years of war in Ukraine. Four years on, Russia has now been engaged in war in Ukraine longer than the Soviet Union fought in World War II, and the cost is starting to wear.

Four years on, Russia has now been engaged in war in Ukraine longer than the Soviet Union fought in World War II, and the cost is starting to wear. #ukraine #russia #war
www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe...

More red states eye the no-income-tax model. Will it work? Georgia and several other Republican states consider ending their income taxes, aiming to help their economies and fend off Democrats on affordability issues.

Georgia and several other Republican states consider ending their income taxes, aiming to help their economies and fend off Democrats on affordability issues. #states #taxes #republicans
www.csmonitor.com/Business/202...

As Trump pushes back on tariff ruling, other nations push back at him President Trump’s economic calculus is in flux after a Supreme Court ruling, as some global leaders say his new tariffs violate the trade deals he cut with them.

President Trump’s economic calculus is in flux after a Supreme Court ruling, as some global leaders say his new tariffs violate the trade deals he cut with them. #Tariffs #trump #trade
www.csmonitor.com/Business/202...

The Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration’s use of an emergency economic law to set broad tariffs, reasoning that the 1977 law did not grant the president such sweeping power. President Donald Trump vowed to use other laws to keep tariffs up. #tariffs #trump #supremeCourt

Remember landline phones? Parents want them back. Parents are not the only ones looking for screen-free alternatives. Some children enjoy the experience of chatting with friends over a landline phone.

Amid growing concerns about the effects of screen time on their children, some parents are reintroducing the communal simplicity of the household phone. #telephones #CellPhones #teenagers #parents www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/...

Shake off the chill with the best books of February Monitor reviewers’ choices this month ranged from a novel about a mine-collapse survivor to a history of Jewish entrepreneurs who changed the toy industry.

Our reviewers’ picks for this month include an action-adventure thriller set in the Arctic, a locked-taxicab mystery in New York, and a group biography of three intrepid women journalists who covered the globe. #books #reviews #BestOfFebruary www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-R...

When governments pull the plug on dissent, citizens from Iran to Uganda fight to stay online Recent blackouts in Iran, Uganda, and beyond highlight a new front emerging in conflicts around the world: the fight to stay online. Though governments hold most of the power, people are finding ways ...

Recent blackouts in Iran, Uganda, and beyond highlight a new front emerging in conflicts around the world: the fight to stay online. Though governments hold most of the power, people are finding ways to push back. #dissent #censorship #Internet #online www.csmonitor.com/World/2026/0...

Oh Canada, the US women won hockey gold, but you won hearts The U.S. women’s hockey team trounced Canada 5-0 in the preliminary round. But when the rivals met again in the Olympic gold medal match on Thursday, it was a different story.

In the Olympic women’s ice hockey final, Canada’s team, stacked with gold medalists and world champions, took on a younger, faster American team. Although the U.S. took home the gold, the game showed Canadian pride. #Canada #hockey #olympics www.csmonitor.com/World/olympi...

Medals aside, the women’s Olympic freeskate sparkled and soared At the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, Alysa Liu became the first American to win the women’s freeskate competition since Sarah Hughes in 2002.

The women’s Olympic freeskate final in Milan was more than a medal count. It was one beautiful and wonderful program after another. #Olympics #WinterGames #Skating #sports #athletes www.csmonitor.com/World/olympi...

Why I travel: Exploring new lands – and discovering myself For this globe-trotter, travel is about the experiences – the farther off the beaten track, the better.

Travel often gets reduced to landmarks, checklists, and tight itineraries. For one veteran globe-trotter, it's about the experiences – the farther off the beaten track, the better. #travel #tourism www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/...

As AI leaps forward, concerns rise that innovation is leaving safety behind A Defense Department dispute with Anthropic and warnings from artificial intelligence researchers have thrust AI safety issues into the spotlight.

Artificial intelligence is developing so rapidly that some industry insiders fear safety concerns aren’t getting enough attention. That’s sparking conversation about how to balance innovation, competition, and safeguards. #AI #military #Safety www.csmonitor.com/USA/2026/022...

At the end of a trying Olympics, Mikaela Shiffrin won more than slalom gold Mikaela Shiffrin, the greatest Alpine skier of all time, finally secured an elusive gold finish in the women’s slalom event in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s gold medal in the slalom was a monumental sporting achievement. She not only set the second-largest winning margin in Olympic Alpine history, but she also subdued Olympic-sized fears. #Olympics #WinterGames #slalom #sports #athletes
www.csmonitor.com/World/olympi...

‘Bittersweet’: Olympians reflect on the motivation of fourth-place finishes A fraction of a second can be the difference between having your name marked in the Olympic history books and, well, not.

For some, missing the Winter Olympics podium by a blink of an eye can be an athlete’s biggest disappointment. For others, however, the “tin medal” is all the motivation they need to do better next time. #Olympics #WinterGames #medals #sports #athletes
www.csmonitor.com/World/olympi...

‘Playmakers’ underscores the serious business of making toys In “Playmakers,” Michael Kimmel unpacks the history of Jewish entrepreneurs who started name-brand toy companies – and redefined children’s playtime.

In “Playmakers,” Michael Kimmel unpacks the history of Jewish entrepreneurs who started name-brand toy companies – and redefined children’s playtime. #books #NonFiction #games www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-R...

In Gaza, Israel’s creeping Yellow Line takes Palestinians’ land, and lives The yellow cement blocks demarcating Israeli-held territory in Gaza were supposed to mark a temporary armistice line. But with the ceasefire process stalled, the blocks keep moving deeper into Gaza, m...

The yellow cement blocks demarcating Israeli-held territory in Gaza were supposed to mark a temporary armistice line. But the blocks keep moving deeper into Gaza, making Palestinians feel more closed in, and trapped. #gaza #israel #ceasefire www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...

Pupil power: Why the US South is seeing education gains Studies in 2025 pointed to declining achievement in foundational reading and math skills among American students. But four states in the South are demonstrating that high standards and elevated expect...

Studies in 2025 pointed to declining achievement in foundational reading and math skills among American students. But four states in the South are demonstrating that high standards can raise performance, despite scarce resources. #education #schools #South
www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/t...

Jesse Jackson’s journey from a South Carolina protest to presidential runs Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday, fought for equality as a civil rights protester, a presidential candidate, and a champion of Black voting.

Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday, fought for equality as a civil rights protester, a presidential candidate, and a champion of Black voting. #JesseJackson www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...

In Minneapolis, Native Americans see racial targeting patterns – and push back Support for tribal members has surged across the Twin Cities, as Native Americans allege incidents of targeting during immigration raids there.

Support for tribal members has surged across the Twin Cities, as Native Americans allege incidents of targeting during immigration raids there. #Minneapolis #ICE #trump www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...