COVER
2012: User's Guide
In our first annual guide to the year ahead, we offer a road map for the next 12 months of news
The GOP Free-for-All (2012 Politics: The Election)
With no limits on spending — or offending — in the primaries, Republicans risk harming their presidential candidate
A Map of Trouble (2012 Politics: Middle East)
What will the Middle East look like in a year? Private intelligence firm Stratfor plots the possibilities
The Son Also Rises (2012 Politics: Asia)
Kim Jong Il's death set strategists in motion across the globe. Here's what they have to think about
Weather Beaten (2012 Science: Meteorology)
The past year was truly disastrous; 2012 figures to be less so, assuming we stop behaving stupidly
China's Buy List (2012 Business: Global Economics)
It's scooping up more commodities, continents — and soccer stars
The End Of Cash (2012 Business: Consumer Spending)
Mobile wallets — and more ways to use them — are making money less useful
10 Questions (2012 Culture: News Quiz)
This time they're for you. Practice your punditry and forecast the coming year's international
COMMENTARY
A Post-American World in Progress (Worldview)
Why emerging powers didn't lead in 2011 and won't in the coming year
How Much Government Is Enough? (In the Arena)
Give the goofy GOP credit: it has raised key questions about the U.S.'s future