COVER
Behind the Sunni-Shi'ite Divide (Cover Story)
The war between Iraq's Sunnis and Shi'ites has left the U.S.'s hopes of building a stable Iraq in ruins. Now it is threatening to spread throughout the Middle East and beyond. A look at the roots of the struggle within Islam—and whether anything can be done to stop it
ASIA
Exclusive: Thailand's coup leader talks to TIME
In an exclusive interview, Thai coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin pledges to restore democracy, and to prosecute the man whom he toppled
GLOBAL ADVISER
A Day at the Races (Curtain Raiser)
Get your burnt-rubber fix at the Malaysian Grand Prix
Medicinal Purposes (Amuse Bouche)
Red White & Pure's "tonic cuisine" blends traditional Chinese medicine with advanced culinary techniques
Say Cheese (Check In)
Bhutan's Swiss Guesthouse offers the best alpine hospitality—and authentic raclette—in the Himalayas
Cruise Control (Diversions)
Small liners and private charters allow you to sail Asian waters in sedate style
BUSINESS
The Markets' New Fear Factor
China's stock market dives 8.8% in a day, triggering sell-offs from Mumbai to Tokyo to New York. but the real economic concern for global investors is a U.S. slowdown
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Now Playing: China and Japan's Tragic History
A string of new films is slated to appear around the 70th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, reigniting a controversy that still divides China and Japan
BRIEFING
Temps in Prime Time (Notebook)
A new hit soap opera focuses on the lives of the Japan's growing army of part-time workers
Infernal Affairs vs. The Departed (Notebook)
The Hong Kong filmmaker behind Infernal Affairs—the basis for Martin Scorsese's Oscar-Winning The Departed— talks to TIME about Scorsese, cops, and what he thinks should have won Best Picture