COVER

FEATURES

From Chads To Riches (Nation)

Al Gore, consummate wonk and almost President, sheds his past, boosts his portfolio and tries to understand the complex drivers of global change

Waiting For Change (Nation)

The 1-cent coin, long derided as obsolete, has never been more threatened--yet America still won't let the penny drop

In and Out of Africa (World)

France hopes to drive Islamist rebels out of Mali--and then go home. That may be wishful thinking

THE CULTURE

Mortal Mouse (Music)

Composer Philip Glass takes on the last days of Walt Disney

Last Laughs (Tuned In)

What seven years of 30 Rock taught us about TV and ourselves

The Shame Game (The Awesome Column)

Why we loved to hate Armstrong's fess-up on the Oprah Scolding Network

Staying Power (Money)

New ways companies are getting us to stick with lousy service

COMMENTARY

The Ice Is Breaking (In the Arena)

Obama's confident speech signals an end to deadlock in Washington

What's in a Name? (Worldview)

Is al-Qaeda on offense, or are thugs in Africa just trading on terrorism's best-known brand?

BUSINESS

California Dreams (Environment)

The Golden State launches a controversial, influential new effort to fight climate change

LETTERS

BRIEFING

Man vs. Machine (Economy)

Why a slowdown in tech progress is good news for jobs