COVER
The Realists Take Charge (Cover Story)
The election whupping marked the end of George W. Bush's radical experiment in partisan government - and a plea for politicians to get serious about solving problems
BUSINESS
Vietnam Trades Up
Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organization could supercharge the country's booming economy, if the government can carry out much-needed reforms
TECHNOLOGY
Best Inventions 2006
From a cat engineered to keep you from sneezing to espresso in solid form and a robot that rides a bike?plus, of course, the Invention of the Year?Time brings you a guide to this year's most fascinating innovations
BRIEFING
Inconvenience Stores (Notebook)
India's shopkeepers in New Delhi are under siege
Milestones (Notebook)
Events of the Week
Letters (Notebook)
The Scramble for the Bomb
GLOBAL ADVISER
Asha's Encore (Curtain Raiser)
India's star Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle in Belgium
Desert Flower (Diversions)
The city of Nukus is an avant-garde oasis in Central Asia
Parliamentary Briefing (Check In)
A minimalist approach makes this Austrian hotel an attractive bolt hole
Spice Island (Amuse Bouche)
Upmarket dining in a backpackers' Thai paradise