COVER

ESSAY

On the Road: Underwater in Detroit (Commentary / In the Arena)

Dismayed by politics and politicians, voters in Detroit sense that some of their economic problems are homegrown

NATION

The New GOP Money Stampede (The Well / Nation)

How Republicans are outraising and outspending Democrats with the help of a network of little-known conservative political outfits based in D.C.

No More Nukes? (The Well / Nation)

The New START treaty coming before the Senate reduces U.S. and Russian arsenals. But in light of current and potential threats, how many warheads does a superpower need?

Real Moms of Grosse Pointe (The Well / Assignment Detroit)

Jobs are in flux, property values have tanked. When you were used to being well off, what do you do now?

Grosse Pointe Moms Club

The financial upheavals of the last two years have brought a different life to the tony suburbs of Detroit

WORLD

Birth Pains (World)

In three months, Southern Sudan will vote on secession and likely become the world's newest nation. But instead of giddy anticipation, its impoverished tribes are bracing for violent conflict over oil resources

LETTERS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Gospel of Mavis (Music)

With a little help from Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Mavis Staples returns to her soulful, spiritual roots

Fish Tale (Movies)

The twisty new documentary Catfish examines how well we really know the people we meet online

Sophie Kinsella (Q&A)

TIME talks to the bestselling author of the Shopaholic series about kids, writing and recession shopping

Inside Out (Books)

In the novel Room, four walls and a mother's fierce love define a young boy's world

SOCIETY

PEOPLE

10 Questions for Ben Affleck (10 Questions)

He co-wrote, directed and stars in the Boston bank-heist film The Town. Ben Affleck will now take your questions

BRIEFING

French Director Claude Chabrol (Milestones)

France's Claude Chabrol directed many kinds of films, but he was most celebrated for domestic dramas that end in murder