COVER

Blue Truth, Red Truth (U.S. Election 2012 / The Race)

Both candidates say White House hopefuls should talk straight with voters. Here's why neither man is ready to take his own advice

BRIEFING

Shadow of the Infiltrator (Dispatch)

The U.S. military may fear turncoat Afghans, but a more systematic subversion is at work

THE CULTURE

The XX Factor (Music)

The indie trio pulls off that difficult sophomore release

New Pastures (Books)

Australia's "farm lit" is proving fertile ground for publishers

WORLD

The Stateless Statesman

Despite criticism from every quarter, Mahmoud Abbas' slow, nonviolent campaign for Palestinian statehood just might be working

The Irish Answer

In trying to fix a national crisis, Prime Minister Enda Kenny may be finding solutions for Europe

'This Is the Last Authentic Place on Earth'

Bhutan's identity as a mystical mountain idyll has made it one of the world's most coveted destinations. But when everyone wants a piece of paradise, can paradise stay intact?

ESSAY

Illiberal Arts

Yale's planned campus in Singapore risks undermining the university's values

LETTERS