COVER

Call Of the Wild (Campaign '08)

Plucked from obscurity by John McCain, Sarah Palin has scrambled the presidential race. An intimate look at how a frontier mom learned to play the political game

ASIA

The Battle for Thailand

A political standoff in Bangkok between the government and protesters determined to bring it down threatens the future of Thailand's young democracy

PEOPLE

10 Questions for Haruki Murakami

Japan's best-known contemporary author has seen his surreal and whimsical novels translated into dozens of languages. Haruki Murakami will now take your questions

ESSAY

Valley of Tears

As Kashmiris again agitate to separate from India, the nation's leaders in New Delhi have themselves to blame

BRIEFING

LETTERS

GLOBAL BUSINESS

Chip off the Old Block (Gaming)

Lawrence Ho is giving Macau's casino bosses — including his dad — a run for their money

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Active Voice (Music)

Jazz singer Al Jarreau embarks on a long-awaited Asian tour

Under a Mushroom Cloud (Books)

Why North Korea ranks as one of the great failures of the Bush Administration

Dog Days (Books)

Michelle de Kretser's remarkable new novel explores the themes of remembering and forgetting

GLOBAL ADVISER

Viewing Rooms (Check In)

From the walls to the pool, at these hotels art is everywhere

That's the Spirit (Grapevine)

The best vodkas are full of flavor, so sip them straight

Green Cuisine (Amuse-Bouche)

Are fine diners really ready to swap their foie gras for eco-ethics?