COVER
Why Mario Monti Is the Most Important Man in Europe (World)
Mario Monti is trying to pull Italy and its neighbors back from the economic brink
COMMENTARY
How Oil Is Propping Up Putin
The dirty little secret of the Russian leader's success? $116-a-barrel oil
WORLD
Syria's Clashing Armies
Defecting soldiers have formed a loose alliance of militias to defend their homes and families, but the regime of Bashar Assad is out to crush them without mercy
Friendly Rivals
China's next leader makes a U.S. visit. A look at the issues that will determine its success
PROFILE
Challenging Hugo Chávez: Can His Old Foe Capriles Unseat Him?
Can an old foe of Venezuela's populist President unseat him by stealing his mantle as champion of the poor?
BUSINESS
Microlending Thinks Bigger (Finance)
This $100 billion industry developed critical flaws. But new approaches are recasting its business model
THE CULTURE
Great Performances
Trophies, scrolls, statuettes — this time of year, actors get 'em by the zillions, like valet-parking stubs
LETTERS
Foreign Policy Prez (Inbox)
The Future of Capitalism; Carter Critique; The India Syndrome